The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-04
Big rs SLOW WORK
PR0VOKES UNREST
Council Formed Ten Days Ago
Fails to Justify Hope Of
Speed in Signing Peace.
VITAL TOPICS DELAYED
Outlook for International La
Dor Clause in Covenant
Now Seems Dubious.
Nv G.. y. ADAM.

Il
Special Cable Despatch to THE Sun from Ms
London Times Serrice.
Copyright, 1919: oil rights reserved
PARIS. April 3.-The institution OF
the Council OF -Four ten days ago met
with a certain amount OF ironical COM
ment, which merely indicated how far
the patience OF the world had been
tried up to that point. but on the whole
the new development was hailed with
general approval In all the capitals of
| the Allies as a means by which the dil-
atory discussions OF the larger body
might be cut short and the essential
terms of the peace treaty speedily ar
rived at. Unfortunately little has taken
place during the last few days to en-
courage this first hope. On the con-
| trary the feeling OF unrest and distrust
Is growing stronger and stronger.
The press ia semi-officiany informed
| from day to day that satisfactory prog
ress has been made during discussion.
but the general impression nevertheless
obtains that no definite decisions have
yet been reached on the most vital
points in the treaty. that there has been
and Is likely to be much discussion
| among the chief delegates upon ques-
TORS which 1t was understood It would
be the duty OF commissions to decide
and finally that proposals were being
put forward which at any rate in some
quarters were regarded as little short
OF disastrous.
Uncertainty in Critical Matters.
The sudden arrival OF King Albert in
| an airplane was taken as a sign of the
critical nature OF the Council OF Four s
discussion. The visit of Premier Pade-
rewski Is interpreted in the same way
as the consequence of the uncertain
handling OF the Danzig problem by the
Council Of Four.
The frontiers OF Czecho-Slovakia, which
were discussed at meeting of the i've
foreign Ministers. Is another subject
which may prolong the debates OF the
Council of Four and lead to further de-
lay. The question is one OF great urg-
ency because definite settlement of the
frontier OF the new State alone can give
the Czecho- SlovaE Government the means
OF dealing effectually with the state OF
disorder among the neighboring Magyars
and protecting itself from Bolshevik in
lection. 1t includes. moreover. the set
! Element Of the frontier in the Teschen
Czechos and Poles Is a great handicap
to the only direct means OF communities
ton the Poles at present have with
| western Europe.
/ The report of the commission on the
Czecho-Slovakian frontiers recommends
| the reestablishment OF the historical
| frontier of old Bohemia, which would in
clude three million Germans in the
Czecho-Slovian State. On the other hand,
| the commissions proposal unites to the
| Czecho- Slovaks 100000 Ruthenes OF
Hungary. One must be somewhat Of an
optimist not to foresee that the same OBJ
| jections will be raised to this violation
of the principles of nationality" as has
been raised over the Germans OF Danzig
and the Saar Valley when the fate of the
Czecho-Slovaks receives the attention OF
the Council Of Four.
Hitch in Labor Legislation.
International labor legislation Is not
going through as smoothly as was ex-
pected. 1t seems certain that more than
one of the proposed clauses in the treaty
OF peace will fail to obtain insertion in
that document Objections arc raised
notably by Japan and India. who fail &c
see how they can agree on an eight hour
day or the various restrictions upon te'
male labor. Application of all the con
ventlons to the colonies where labor Ii
cheap. but unskilled and wasteful. also
IL a stumbling block
Article XIX. of the League of Nations
has been very considerably amended
Under the new text proposed the mem
bers of the league will endeavor to OBJ
tain fair and humane labor conditions
for men, women and children in al
countries to which their commercial ant
Industrial relations extend.
The league will have general super
vision OF the carrying out of all thu
agreements in regard to traffic In womel
and children, opium and other poisonous
drugs. and will also control trade II
arms where necessary. Freedom o
transit and communication for all mem
bers OF the league shall be given to al
OF its adherents