El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-09-28
Wilson Issues
Letter TOHeIb
PartyCandidate

Washington. D. c.. sept. 2g.-The
first public document in the present
presidential campaign 20 be issued at
the white house was made public to-
day. It dealt with the league OF ma
tons ana was in the form Of a letter
10 r NJ Swartz. Of Los Angeles writ
ten by secretary Tumulty at presi-
dent Wilson's direction.
The white house letter was in re-
ply to one to the president in which
Mr.. Swartz had declared the forces
supporting the Republican ticket
were contendiug that IL article Y Of
the league covenant were ratified the
United States would be bound to
support England In holding Ireland
under suh1ugat1on-'
The letter to lIr. Swartz follows.
In reply TO your letter Of the 10th
Of September, I beg TO say that the
Identical questions contained in your
letter. with reference to article X and
the right Of self determination. found
In the covenant OF the league OF ma
tions were placed before the presi-
dent while he was on his western trip
last year and fully answered by him
The president directs me 70 call your
attention TO the following questions
and answers given by him TO the
press at that time which I think sat
isfactorily answer your inquiries. The
questions and answers are as follows.
"Q.-Under the covenant does the
nation obhgate itself TO assist any
member Of the league in putting down
a rebellion OF its subjects or con-
quered peoples2"
At does not"
"Q.-Under the covenant can this
nation independently recognize a gov
eminent whose peoples seek to
achieve Or have achieved their indie
Pendence from member OF the
leagueg"
aA.-The independent action Of the
government Of the United states in
matter OF this kind is IN no way linz
tied or affected by the covenant OF
the league Of nations
"Q.-under the covenant are those
subject nations or peoples only that
are mentioned In the peace treaty
entitled TO the right OF self-deter-
mination or does the league possess
the right 20 accord q similar privilege
70 other subject nations or peupleE
At was not possible for the
peace conference TO act with regard
70 the self determination OF any terri
tories except thoset which had be-
longed TO the defeated empires, but in
the covenant OF the league OF nations
f. has set up for the first time in
article ~. a forum to which all claims
OF self-determinatlOns which are
likely 10 disturb the peace Of the
world or the good understanding be-
tween nations upon which the peace
of the world depends, can be brought
"Q-Why was the case OF Ireland
not heard at the peace conferenceZ
And what Is your opinion on the sub
fect OF self determination OF IrelandE'
"A-The case OF ireland was not
heard at the peace conterence be-
cause the peace conference had no
Jurisdiction over any question OF that
sort which did not affect territories
which belonged 10 the defeated en-
plres. NY position on the subject OF
self eteruinatiou for Ireland is eI-
IN which / may say was particularly /
interested because it seemed TO me 4
necessary for the peace and freedom /
Of the world that a forum should be I
created TO which all peoples could /
bring any matter which was nkely 70 I
affect the peace and freedom OF the I
world"