Answers to Questions About the League of Nations

Title

Answers to Questions About the League of Nations

Creator

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Identifier

WWP20676

Date

1919 September 17

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library

Subject

Press Releases
League of Nations

Language

English

Text

Released for the afternoon papers of Wednesday, September 17, 1919

ANSWERS OF THE PRESIDENT TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE
SAN FRANCISCO LABOR COUNCIL.

1. Under the Covenant, does this nation obligate itself to assist any member of the League in putting down a rebellion of its subjects or conquered peoples?

Answer. It does not.

2. Under the Covenant, can this nation independently recognize a government whose people seek to achieve or have achieved their independence from a member of the League?

Answer, The independent action of the Government of the United States in a matter of this kind is in no way limited or affected by the Covenant of the League of Nations.

3. Under the Covenant are those subject nations or peoples only that are mentioned in the Peace Treaty entitled to the right of self-determination or does the League possess the right to accord a similar privilege to other subject nations or peoples?

Answer. It was not possible for the Peace Conference to act with regard to the self-determination of any territories except those which had belonged to the defeated empires, but in the Covenant of the League of Nations it has set up for the first time, in Article XI, a forum to which all claims of self-determination which are likely to disturb the peace of the world or the good understanding between nations upon which the peace of the world depends, can be brought.

4. Why was the case of Ireland not heard at the peace conference? And what is your position on the subject of self-determination for Ireland?

Answer. The case of Ireland was not heard at the Peace Conference because the Peace Conference had no jurisdiction over any question of that sort which did not affect territories which belonged to the defeated empires. My position on the subject of self-determination for Ireland is expressed in Article XI of the Covenant in which, I may say, I was particularly interested because it seemed to me necessary for the peace and freedom of the world that a forum should be created, to which all peoples could bring any matter which was likely to affect the peace and freedom of the world.

END.

Original Format

Miscellaneous

To

San Francisco Labor Council

Files

D30290.pdf

Citation

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Answers to Questions About the League of Nations,” 1919 September 17, WWP20676, Woodrow Wilson Press Statements, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.