New-York tribune., 1919-10-31
German and Austrian Del
egates TO Be Seated,
League Conference De-
cides by Vote of 20 to l
Berlin Is Given
Place on Board
Question Settled After
Long Debate; 8-Hour
Day To Be Discussed
By Chester M. Wright
Nep York Trfbuns
Wnehin0to,, Bureau

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30.-By a vote
of 70 to /, with one abstention, men,
bership in the International Labor Con-
ference of the league Of nations was
accorded to Germany and Austria this
afternoon by the conference. Debate
on the question occupied almost the
entire session, despite the single vote
in opposition.
Louis Guerin, employers representa-
tive, of France, cast the single vote
against the former Central Empires.
Jules earlier, employers representa-
tive, of Belgium, abstained from voting.
Following the vote on admission Of
Germany and Austria, Rafael H. Eli
zalde. of Ecuador, raised the question
of admission of Mexico. asking if an
invitation had been sent to the Mexi-
can government. He was informed
that no invitation had been sent, since
only those governments engaged in the
war. with those named in the annex to
the treaty of peace, had been invited.
Mexico is not in either classifica ton
Inquiries as to Finland and Luxem-
1t was announced, however, that Fiji
nish delegates are on the way, expect
ing. to be admitted.
Germany On Governing Board
Germany won a signal victory in
to-day's vote She gains place on
the governing hoard as one of the
eight principal industrial nations, a
place which could not have been Sc
cured until the next election, three
years hence, had she been denied mem
bership In this conference. Germany s
admission was obtained upon the prom
Use of the German government to CO.
operate in the work of the interna-
tional labor organization.
Delegates to represent Germany are
reported en- route to Washington, but
cles as TO the probable time Of their
arrival.
The fact behind to-day's action is
that the decision to admit Germany
and Austria was not made by this
conference, but was made by the gov
ernments which the delegates repre-
sent. The whole question has been
the subject of much international dis
cusson through diplomatic channels
during the last three months.
The recommendation Of the Supreme
Council at Paris was arrived at after
parleys had been held in London and
that effect could not be given to any
| important action of this conference
without membership being granted tc
the states lately arrayed against civii-
Zation in France.
Gompers Backed Proposal
That the decision of the Amsterdam
Congress Of the international Fedora
ton Of Trade Unions, held in July, hat
nah Il ,.,sx
throw down the bars is clear to those
who know the complete story. Tho
clearest heads in that conference
Samuel Gompers and William A. Apple
ton-were convinced that Germany anc
Austria must be allowed to come in
They have worked diligently since the
Amsterdam meeting to achieve tina
end. Leon Jouhaux, in France, has done
| likewise. 1t IS quite possible that the
combined efforts Of these three mel
shaped the decision.
The resolution brought in to-day wa!
submitted by the organizing committee
Under the rules no motion or rcsolu
ton can be voted on unless notice o
It has been given on the previous day
or unless copies Of it are circulated Il
the opening Of the session Of the da,
on which vote Ia sought. Printed
copies Of the resolution were crcu
lated to-day at the beginning Of tn
session. The resolution reads:
"Whereas, in the course Of the
negotiations concerning the treaty Of
peace, the Allied and associated pow
ers agreed with Germany and Austria
to accept the idea of their early ad
mission to the international labor
; organization, and decided to remit
the question to the Washington con-
ference for it's decision with a rec
ommcndation in favor Of their admis-
sion after the conclusion Of the con-
ference; and
Cooperation Gains Vote
Whereas. at later date the AL
, lied and associated powers remit
ted the question of the immediate
: admission of Germany and Austria
to the labor conference at Wash
ington, to the decision Of the con-
ference itself;
: Therefore, the international La
: Dor Conference, acting in accordance
, with the decisions Of the Allied and
3 associated powers,
5 Resolves, That in anticipation OF
= their admission to the league Of ma
tions and in view Of their expressed
! Willingness to cooperate in the work
0 Of the labor organization, Germany
and Austria are hereby admitted tc
9 membership in the international La
! Dor Organization with tho same
8 rights and obligations possessed BY
the other. members of the labor or.
G ganization, according to the terms
0 Of the treaties OF peace signed at
0 Versailles on tho 2Sth day Of June