The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-16
REJECTS GERMAN
LABOR TREATY PLEA
Council of Four Decides Sub
li ject Is Amply Provided
For IN Compact.
TEXT OF NOTES ISSUED
Three Latest Requests for
Changes Referred to Sub
ordinate Missions.
TEXT OF NOTES ISSUED

PARIS, May 15.-The three latest notes
sent the allied and associated Powers by
the German peace delegation were re-
ferred to-day to the Peace Conference
commissions on economic reparations
and German frontiers
The Council of Four has declined to
consider the note from Count Won Brock
dorff- Rantzau, chief of the German
peace mission, relative to international
labor legislation.
In note sent to the German delega-
ton to-day, N. Clemenceau, president of
the Peace Conference, says that the al
lied and associated governments are "of
the opinion that their decisions give sat
isfaction to the anxiety which the Ger
man delegate processes for social Justice,
and insure the realization of reforms
which the working classes have more
than ever a right to expect after the
cruel trial to which the world has been
subjected during the last five years"
C1emenceau's Reply to Note.
The text Of the reply sent by M.
Clemenceau to the German note fol-
lows:
May II, 1919.
"SR-I have the honor to acknowledge
tho receipt OF your letter of May 10 in
regard to international labor legislation,
together with draft Of an international
agreement on labor law. The reply OF
the allied and associated governments is
rs follows:
They take note OF the declaration
made by the German delegates that do
mestic peace and the Advancement OF
mankind depend upon the adjustment OF
the labor question and they are con-
vinced that such adjustment will be rem
dered easier in the future than in the
past, as mems minds are freed from the
rear OF war, and industry Is relieved OF
the burden OF ornaments which German
militarism had imposed upon Il.
Part XIII. of the draft Of the condi-
lions or peace provides q means BY
which such adjustments can be made
and Section II. of this part of the draft
lays down the principles which will pru.
gressively guide the labor organization
and the League OF Nations. Article 42T
indicates clearly that the enumeration
or the principles set forth is not ex.
haustive. The purpose of the labor or
ganization is that 1t should promote tn,
constant development of the interna
tional labor regime.
THE labor convention has been in
serted In the treaty Of peace, and Ger
many VIII. therefore, be called upon t.
sign 1t. In the future the rights of YOU
country to participate in the labor or
ganization will be secured, so soon n,
she Is admitted into the League of Ma
tons In accordance with Article L o.
the treaty
TT has not been thought necessary Il
summon labor conference at Versailles
Inc conclusions Of a syndical conference,
AT Bern, which are reproduced In IN,
oraft OF the international agreement OF
laSor law referred to in the first para
graph of your letter of the 10th inst
had already been studied with the clos
est attention. Representatives of tn
trade unions had taken part In the prep
aration OF the articles relating to labor
ms appears, moreover, from the anne,
10 Section III. OF Part MIL, page 22O
the programme of the first session o
the International Labor Conference I,
be held at Washington next Octobe
comprises the most important of Tn
questions raised at the syndical confer
ence at Bern. Trade unions will be In
vited to take part in that conference
and it will be held under direct rule
which provide for due effect being give,
TO conclusions subject only to the assen
OF the competent authorities in the coun
tries represented
THE draft of the internations
agreement on labor law, prepared by tn
German Government, Is deficient in tina
" makes no provision for the repre-
sentation OF labor at the internationa
conference which Is proposed. It is ais
inferior TO the provisions submitted /
Part XIII. of the peace conditions 1
the following respects:
"(A) Five years is suggested as
maximum interval between conferences
tArticle VID. The peace condition
one year (Article $500.
"(B) Each country has one vot,
(Article V1D. The peace condition
give a vote to each delegate, whethe
representing government, employer
or workers. (Article 800.
"(C) Resolutions are only binding
carried by majority OF four-fifths
the voting countries. (Article VII). TIL
peace conditions provide that a majorit
of two-thirds only of the votes ca
shall be necessary on the final vote IL
the adoption of a recommendation or II
draft of a convention by the conferenc
(Article 4O5).
1.-THE Allied and Associated Cover
ments are. therefore. of the opinion thu
their decision give satisfaction to II
anxiety which the German delegate pr,