New-York tribune., 1919-02-11
Socialist Congress
u rye S Return of
German Prisoners
Eisner Admits Teutons Have
No Ground for Protest
After the I'll Treatment
of Captured Frenchmen

BERNE, Feb. 1O.-Territorial ques-
tions were to the fore at both ses
sions Of the International Socialist
Conference yesterday, the subject of
Alsace-Lorraine being the chief one
considered Some time also was spent
debating a resolution favoring the re-
lease by the Allies of the German
prisoners Of war.
During the latter discussion there
was a sharp exchange between Oscar
Wells, German Majority Socialist,
and Kurt Eisner Bavarian Premier,
the latter accusing the German au-
thorities of i'll treating French pris-
oners. Herr Eisner was warmly sup
ported in this charge by Pierre Re-
naudel, French delegate.
Herr Wells introduced the subject of
prisoners by arguing that German
prisoners should be released because
they would compete with French and
Belgian workers i'll France and Bel
gium. Premier Eisner said Germany
had no right to protest after what she
ing the war, adding.
"When any one has seen, as I have
seen, French prisoners near Munich
crowded into low, dark sheds with
corpses and men in the agony of death
from disease, no right to protest re
MAINS
Urge Prisoners Return
Finally, on the motion of Camille
Huysmans, Belgian delegate, a reso-
luton was adopted declaring that as
Allied prisoners We're returned home
from the Central Empires, German
prisoners also should be returned, in
dependently of legitimate complaints
against Germany.
Pierre Renaudcl rebuked the Ger
man Majority Socialist delegates for
their demand that German prisoners
be returned by the Allies.
"Iou continue to insult the Allies" :"
he declared, "by pretending that
French militarsm is retaining the
German prisoners. You forget the de-
portations from Lille and from Bel
gium. You try to influence our work
ing classes by alleging that the use
OF your prisoners is unfair competi-
tlton for our workingmen. This is our
business, not yours. You continue
your propaganda in favor of the for
desire to reach results you must adopt
an altogether different attitude"
NJ. Grumbach, delegate from Upper
Alsace, protested against the speech
made in the German National Assembly
at Weimar by Dr.. David, president Of
the Assembly, in which David de-
clared that Alsace- Lorraine belonged
to the German people.
Sees Challenge 10 Entente
Grumbach's remarks were ndorsed
by Karl Kautsky. German Independent
Socialist, who declared that the cleo
ton of Dr.. David as president of the
National Assembly was a challenge to
the Entente.
proposal was made by the Russian
delegates that commission of the
conference representing all shades OF
socialism should be sent to inquire into
the political and economic situation in
Russia. The conference will pass upon
this question later
Premier Eisner, who has been
charged in several quarters with sym
pathzing with the Bolsheviki, made
plain his position on this question bv
declaring himself strongly against Bol-
shevism.
"Bolshevism is the most terrible in
sanity of our time" said Herr Eisner
III duuitSSlHP Il meeting OF BorNc STU
dents. "Thc Bolshevik idea is to re-
place the present regime by the die
tatorship of the prolctariat, which is
much worse than capitalism"
Demands Formed For Paris
Demands for presentation to the
Paris peace conference were agreed
upon by the International Trade Union
Conference yesterday. The demands
include the establishment of an eight
hour day with an uninterrupted rest
period of thirty-six hours weekly, in
surance against accidents and unem-
ployment, the forbidding Of night
work in all countries for women work
ers and Of the employment of chill
dren under fifteen years of age, and a
six-hour day for youths between fif-
teen and eighteen years. The demands
will be recommended for incorporation
into an international agreement bv
the peace conference
There are special stipulations in the
demands concerning seamen, and it is
asked that these stipulations shall be
made part of international law. the
carrying out Of the provisions to be
looked after by special commissions, ir