The sun., 1919-05-13
URGES COMMISSION
FOR PREPARATIONS
Brockdorff- Rantzau Addresses
Note to Clemenceau Re-
y garding Prisoners.
ASKS CLOTHES FOR THEM
Presents German Unions De-
T mand for Labor Confer
ence at Versailles.
BY tAe Associafcd Press.

BY the Associafcd Press.
PARIS, May IL tdelayed) Count Won
Brockdorff- Rantsau, German Foreign
/. Minister and chief OF the German pcsce
delegation. in addressing a note TO Pre-
mier Clemenceau relative to the repatria-
ton OF prisoners, asks that the details
OF the transfer be entrusted to COM
missions.
The German Foreign Minister states
that the German peace delegation has
NOTED with satisfaction" that the draft
OF the treaty recognizes In principle the
repatriation OF German war and civilian
prisoners with great expedition ana
says that special commissions might
carry on direct oral discussions which
would include all belligerent States, II
being pointed out that even during hos
tilities this has proved most effective
way of solving difficulties.
The note says that this work should
be much easier. now that the war Is
over, and would remove differences OF
conception or lack OF clearness on par
ticular points, such as legal conceptions
in individual countries. The German
delegation, II is said, considers 1t indis-
pensable that those war and civilian
prisoners detained or undergoing pun
ishment for other than disciplinary Of
fences should in principle be included
among those to be Internationally re-
pItriated.
ers Of Allied and associated powers In
Its hands" the note says. Germany has
recognized the same principle. 1t APP
pears self-evident to the German dele
cation. therefore. that on grounds Of
fairness certain alterations In the
treatment of prisoners should be agreed
upon. pending their return"
Demand for Reciprocity.
The note then proceeds:
"In a one sided manner, some feel, the
stipulations have been made In favor of
the allied and associated Governments.
For instance, those regarding the sur
render of personal property. the search
/ for missing objects and the care of
graves might be cited. II is assumed
. that in these questions a demand for
. complete reciprocity is founded on gen.
eral human rights"
The note then refers to a number of
minor points and proposes that delfbera-
tions by commissions should be begun
! speedily to clear up preliminaries in
readiness for the time when shipping and
similar difficulties may be solved and the
. removal Of the prisoners may be posi-
BILE. 1t alludes to the Importance to
Germany that the prisoners return home
. under orderly conditions, insurinG their
reinstatement into economic life with the
greatest possible despatch. and says that
this seems only possible II everything Ia
! done to raise the moral and physical
state Of those returning"
Since Germany's economic position
; prevents her by her own strength from
!. mr. ha iaif
\ delegation suggests that the deiibera-
! lions of the commissions might extend
to the question OF how tar It would be
! possible on the part of the allied and
d associated Governments to helps Ger.
many in the matter, and, for example
In return for the repayment of the cost
I 10 provide the prisoners with new out
I fits, underclothing. civilian suits and
I boots. before their return.
!. The note concludes ACCEPT, Herr
Z President, the expression of my most
particular esteem"
In his note dealing with labor cues.
tons Count Won Brockdorff- Rantsau
Z says that the German Government
. agrees with the allied and associated
Governments that the greatest atten.
! ton must be paid to these problems.
Position on Labor Plank.
I internal peace and human progress.
depend on how these questions are han
: died." the note says. THE demands fol-
social justice repeatedly drawn up In THU
I connection by workers of all lands only
partly finds indorsement in principle II
! this section OF the Allied Governments
draft of the peace terms. ThTe high
. demands have for the most part already
; been carried out in an admittedly exem
plary fashion in the German Empire"
Referring to the draft Of an agree
: ment on International labor compiled by
the German Government and proposed
: by the German League of Nations, the
! note says:
: 'In order, In the interest of all of hu
nanity. to put these principles every
! where into practice. the acceptance o.
J the German delegation's proposal is GER
tainly requisite. We consider 1t neces
: sary that all States should Join In thi,
: agreement. even IL they do not belon,
: TO the League of Nations.
"1n order to assure the workers. 10,
Z whom these proposed improvements ar,
destined. cooperation in shaping thes.
Z principles, the German delegation con
! siders II necessary to convoke repre-
s sentatives of the national organization,
of the labor unions of all the contractin,
: parties to a conference at Versailles
|, even during peace negotiations to de
8 liberate and make decisions on interna
{ tional labor law. 1t considers II woult
I be advantageous that the proceeding
! of this conference be based on decision
: reached at the international Trade
I Union Conference held at Bern fron
Z February TO February 3. 1919.
I'VE append a copy of these decision
which have been accepted by the repre-
Z sentatiyes of trades union organization
! I'm Bohemia, Bulgaria, Denmark. Ger
s many, Great Britain, France. Greece
: Holland. Italy. Canada, Norway, Aus
tria. Sweden, Switzerland Spain an,
: Hungary. We have been charged to d
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