Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-15
Big Four Flatly Reject
German Suggestion
For Labor Laws.

Paris, Wednesday, May I4.-Ihe
council OF four has declined to con
slider the note from Count Won
Brockdorfr- -Rantzau, chief of the
German peace mission, relative TO
international labor legislation.
In a note to the German delega-
tion today. NJ. Clemenceau, presi-
dent of the peace conference, says
that the allied and associated gov
ernments are ''of the opinion that
their decision gives satisfaction to
the anxiety which the German del
egate processes for social Justice
and insure the realization of re-
/ forms which the working classes
have more than ever a right 70 eN-
pect after the cruel treatment 10
which the world has been subject
ed during the last five years
Text OF Reply.
The text OF the reply to the Ger
man note, sent by NJ. Clemenceau,
follows:
Sir: / have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your let
ter of May To- in regard to inter
a draft Of an international agree
ment on labor law. The reply of
the allied and associated govern
ments is as follows:
They take note of the declaFa-
ton made by the German dele
gates that domestic peace and the
advancement OF mankind depend
upon the adjustment Of he labor
HHHH.1 1aEH
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 ana industry
is relieved from the burden OF arm
ameIts which German militarism
has imposed upon it.
Provides Means for Adjustments.
Part XIII OF the draft of the
conditions of peace provides
means by which such adjustments
can be made, and section , OF this
part of the draft lays down the
principles which will progressive
Iy guide the labor organization and
the league Of nations. Article 427
indicates clearly that the enumer-
alton of the principles set forth is
not exhaustive. The purpose of
the labor organization is that ii
should promote the constant de-
velopment of the international la
Dor regime.
Matter Already Attended To.
1T has not been thought nee
essary 70 hold the labor convention
Al Versailles. The conclusions Of
a syudical conference at Berne.
which are reproduced in the draft
o. the international agreement on
labor law referred to in the first
paragraph of your letter OF the
10th inst has already been studied
with the closest attention. Rep
resentative8 of trade unions had
taken part in the preparation OF
the articles in relation to labor.
LAS appears moreover, from the
annex to section IL Of part XIII,
page eco, the program OF the first
session of the international labor
conference to be held at Washing
ton next Oc ober comprises the
most important OF the questions
raised at the syndical conference
at Berne. Trade unions will be
invited to take part in that confer
ence and II will be held under di-
rect rules which provide for due
effect being given TO conclusions
subject only 10 the assent OF the
competent authorities in the coun-
tries represented.
Hun Proposal Inferior.
THE draft OF the international
agreement on labor law, prepared
bv the German government is de-
q 10. IL no TrH.
sion for the representation of Ia
Dor at the international conference
which is proposed. II is also in
ferior to the provisions submitted
in part XIII Of the peace eoudi-
tiOns in the following respects:
"'tal Five years is suggested rs
maximum interval between confer
euce (Article VIII The peace
conditions r. one year. (Article
SS9D
"'Cb) Each country has one vote
(article VIID The peace condi-
tons give a vote to each delegate,
whether representing govern
ment. employers or workers. tArt-
ic,e 39OD
"'tc) Resolutions are only bind
ing if carried by a majority or
four-Gfths of the voting countries.
article VIII The peace condi-
tions provide that a majority or
t,vo-thirds only of the votes cast
shall be necessary on the final vo.e
for the adoption OF a recommend
alton or the draft of a convention
by the conference (Article 405)
Hold Own Plan Satisfactory.
.The allied and associated gov
ernments are therefore Of the opin-
ion that their decisions gave sat
izfaction to the anxiety which the
German delegate processes for so
cial justice and insure the realiza-
tion OF reforms which the working
classes have more than ever
right TO expect after the cruel
treatment to which the world has
been subjected during the last 1--WE
years
(SigneD IN. ClomenceaU