The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-16
COUNCIL OF -FOUR
DECLINE GERMAN
LABOR SUGGESTION
RANTZAU PLAN Is CONSIDERED
VERY MUCH UNCALLED FOX
BY ALLIES HEADS
TERMS MAKE PROVISION
Clemenceau In Communication Makes
Plain Hun Scheme Merely to Seek to
Play TO Grandstand Before All work.
ers; Peace Terms Give Better Ar
rangement for Agreement.

Paris. Wednesday, May li-The coun
ell of four has declined to consider the
note from Count Won Brockdorff' Kant
Eau. chief of the German peace mission
relative to international labor legisla
,gtion. In note sent to the German
= rdelegatlon today, NJ. Clemenceau, presl'
dent of the peace conference, says that
the allied and associated governments
are "of the opinion that their decisions
give satisfaction to the anxiety which
the German delegate processes for social
Justice. and insure the realization OF re-
forms. 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"
The text of the reply to the German
note sent by NJ. Cemenceau. follows:
"Sir: | have the honor TO ackrowl'
edge the receipt of your letter OF May
20 in regard to international labor legis-
laton, together with draft of interna-
tional agreement on labor law. The re-
ply of the allied and associated govern
mente is as folloWS:
They take note of the declaration
made by the German delegates that do
mestic peace and the advancement or
mankind depend upon the adjustment
of the labor question and they are con
ynced that such adjustment Will be rem
dered easier in the future than in the
past, as mems minds are freed from the
fear of war, and industry is relieved OF
the burden of armaments which Ger
man militarism had imposed upon it.
Provides For Adjustments
Part NIII. 70 the draft of the condi'
tions of peace provides a means by
which such adjustment can be made,
and section III of this part of the draft
lays down the principles which will pro
gressively guide the labor organization
and the legaue of nations. Article AT
indicates clearly that the enumeration
of the principles set forth is not eX.
haustive. The purpose of the labor or
ganization is that it should promote
the constant development of the inter
national labor regime.
The labor convention has been in
serted in the treaty of peace and Ger.
many will therefore be called upon to
sign it, In the future the rights Of
your country to participate in the labor
organization will be secured so soon
as she is admitted into the league Of
nations in accordance with article | OF
the treaty.
1T has not been thought necessary
to summon a labor conference at Yer
sailles. Tie conclusions Of a syndical
conference at Berne, which are repro.
duced in the draft of the international
agreement on labor law referred to in
the first paragraph of your letter oe the
10th instant had already been studied
with the closest attention Representa-
tives of the trades unions had taken
part in the preparation of the articles
relating to labor
"As appears, moreover, from the an
mex to section II of part XIII. page
200. the program Of the first session of
the international labor conference to be
held at Washington, next October com
prises the most important of the ques-
tions raised at the syndical conference
at Berne. Trade unions will be invited
to take part in that conference and it
will be held under direct rules which
provide for the effect being given to
conclusions subject only to the assent of
the competent authorities in the coun-
tries represented.
German Plan Deficient.
THE draft of the international agree
T ment on labor law. prepared by the
German government, is deficien in that
ii makes no provision for the representa-
ton of labor at the international con-
ference which is proposed. 1t is also
inferior to the provisions submitted in
part XIII of the peace conditions in the
following respects:
"(A) Five years is suggested as a
maximum interval between conferences
(article VID. The peace conditions
one year.
"(B) Each country has one vote TAR
ticle VID. The peace conditions give a
vote to each delegate, whether repre-
senting a government, employers or
workers (article 390).
"(C) Resolutions are only binding if
carried by a majority of four-fifths of
the voting countries. ARTICLE VID. The
peace conditions provide that a major
ity of two-thirds only of the votes cast
shall be necessary on the final vote
for the adoption of a recommendation
or the draft of a convention by the con-
ference ARTICLE 450).
THE allied and associated govern
ments are, therefore of the opinion that
their decisions give satisfaction to the
anxiety which the German delegate pro-
fesses for social justice, and insure the
realization of reforms which the work
ing classes have more than even a
right to expect after the cruel trial to
which the world has been subjected
during the last five wears Accent Sir