The Washington times., 1919-05-15

GERS of his rank in the navy.
government referred to in Brockdorfs-
Rantzau's letter was prepared in the
German ministry of labor some
months ago and first published on
May 1. Most OF this document is
taken up with detailed proposals foc
labor legislation, a number of which
we're incorporated in the international
labor charter issued by the syndical-
Isl convention at Berne, in February.
, Very light provision, however, is
made for continuance Of international
| labor legislation. Article seven,
which contains the proposition fo-
international organization, speaks OF
| an international conference which
should meet at least once in five
years. In it each power would have
/ one vote, and four-fifths major
/ ity would be necessary before anY
| resolutions would be binding upon
its members. A commission charged
with the technical oversight of the
| DEGREES Of this conference is TIE only
place where labor would have any
direct representation and CORE spends
with lesser powers to the information
al labor office arranged for in tn
terms of the allies. The definite
terms proposed at present include:
Freedom of immigration and the
right of immigrants to full trades
union privileges; the right of COM
bination; social insurance; the eight
hour day and weekly rest: the four
teen-year age limit for child labor;
medical supervision for juveniles; pro
vision for education of young persons;
the minimum wage: protection OF
women in industry and of workers in
dangerous trades.
CIemeneea's Reply.
Clemenceau, in behalf of the allies.
has replied to the German ENJOYS as
ofllows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your letter of May 10 in re-
gard to International labor Iegisla-
ton, together with the draft of the
International agreement on labor.
The reply of the allies and associate |
governments is as follows:
81. They take note OF the declara-
ton. made by the German delegates
that domestic peace and the advance |
ment of mankind depend upon the |
adjustment of labor questions, and |
they are convinced that such adjust
ment will be rendered easier in the |
minds are freed from the fear of
war and industry relieved of the |
burden which German militarism |
had imposed upon il.
Part 10 of the draft of conditions |
OF peace provides the means by |
which such adjustments can be made. |
and section , OF the part, lays down |
the principles which will progress |
sively guide the labor organization |
and the League OF Nations. The pur-
pose Of the labor organization is |
that it should promote the constant |
development Of the international la
Dor regime.
''2. The labor convention has been !
inserted in the treaty Of peace, and |
Germany will, therefore. be called |
Upon to sign 1t. In the future the |
rights of your country to participate !
IT. the labor organization will be Sc
cured so soon as she is admitted into |
the league of nations in accordance |
with article one of the treaty"
Won't Summon All.
Three-It has not been thought |
necessary to summon all the confer |
ence at Versailles. The conclusions
Of the syndical conference at Berne, |
which are reproduced in the draft of |
the international agreement on la
Dor referred to in the first paragraph |
of your letter on May 10, had already |
been studied with the closest atten- |
ton. Representatives of the trades |
unions have taken part in the prepa-
rations Of the articles relating to la
Dor. AS appears, moreover. from the |
annex to section of part IS. the pro- |
gram of the first session of the inter- |
national labor conference. to be held |
at Washington next October COM |
priseS the most important part OF |
the questions raised at the syndicaI |
conference at Berne. Trades unions |
will be invited to take part in that |
conference, and it will be held under |
direct rules which provide for due !
effect being given to conclusions, |
subject only to the assent Of the COM
petent authority in the country rep |
resented.
"FOur-The draft of international |
agreement on labor law prepared by /
the German government is deficient, |
in that IL makes no provision for the
representation of labor at the inter
national conference proposed. II is
also inferior to the provisions sub
mitted in part 13 OF the peace con
ditions in the following reports:
"(a)-Five years is suggested as a
maximum interval between confer
ences (article -. The peace condi-
tions-one year (article 1897.
"Cb)-Each country has one vote
Carticle -. The peace conditions give
a vote to each delegate, whether rep
resenting a government, employers, or
workers (article 1907.
"(c) Resolution are onIv binding II