New-York tribune., 1919-05-16
Clemenceau Says Clause
Upholds Workers Rights
and Will Insure Reforms
They Are Expecting g
Would Lift Fear of War
Teuton Criticisms Answered
by Premier in Refusal
to Discuss Matter Further

PANS, Nay 15.-The Council Of
-Four has declined to consider the not.
from Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau
chief Of the German peace mission, rela
tive to international labor legislation. Ir
note sent to the German delegation
yesterday n. Clemenceau, president OF
The peace conference, says that the AL
lied and associated governments are
'of the opinion that their decisions
give satisfaction to the anxiety which
the German delegate processes for so.
cial 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"
The text of the reply to the German
note sent by M. Clemenceau follows:
"May Ia, 1919.
"Sir: | have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter Of
May 10 in regard to international
labor legislation, together with a
draft of an international agreement
on labor law. The reply of the
Allied and associated governments
is as follows:
They take note of the declaration
made by the German delegates that
domestic peace and the advancement
of mankind depend upon the adjust
ment of the labor question, and they
are convinced that such adjustment
will be rendered easier in the future
than In the past, as mems minds are
freed from the fear of war, and in
dustry is relieved of the burden Of
armaments which German militar-
ism had imposed upon it.
Way to Peace Open
Part XIII of the draft of the con-
ditions of peace provides means by
which such adjustments can be
made, and Section II of this part of
the draft lays down the principles
which will progressively guide the
labor organization and the League
OF Nations. Article 427 indicates
clearly that the enumeration of the
principles set forth is not exhaus-
tive. The purpose of the labor
organization is that it should pro-
mote the constant development of
the international labor regime.
ne labor convention has been in
serted IN the treaty of peace, and
germany will. therefore, be called
upon to sign it, In the future the
nights of your country to participate
In the labor organization will be Sc
cured, 50 soon as she is admittd into
the league of nations, in accordance
with Article of the treaty.
1t has not been thought necessary
10 summon I labor conference at
Versailles. The conclusions of
syndical conference at Berne. which
are reproduced in the draft Of the in
ternational agreement on labor law
referred to IN the first paragraph of
your letter of the 10th inst, had al
ready been studied with the closest
attention. Representatives of the
trade unions had taken part in the
preparation of the articles relatinp
10 labor. AS appears, moreover. from
the annex to Section II of Part XIII.
page 200, the programme of the first
session of the international labor
conference. to be held at Washington
next october. comprises the most
important of the questions raised at
Ine syndlcal 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 due effect being given to
conclusions, subject only to the as
sent of the competent authorities in
the countries represented
The draft of the international
agreement on labor law prepared by
the German government is deficient
In that it makes no provision for the
representation of labor at the inter
national conference which is pro-
posed. 1t is also inferior to the pro-
visions submitted in Part XIII of the
peace conditions in the following re-
spects:
"(a) Five years is suggested as a
maximum interval between confer
ences (Article VII) The peace con-
ditions-one year (Article 3so).
"tb) Each country has one vote
tArticle VlD. The peace conditions
give vote to each delegate, whether
representing government, employ
ers, or workers (Article $500.
."tc) Resolutions are only binding
II carried by majority of four,
fifths of the voting countries (Article
HiD. The peace conditions provide
that a majority of two-thrds only of
the votes cast shall be necessary on
the hnal vote for the adoption of a
recommendation or the draft of
convention by the conference (Article
405).
THE Allied and associated govern
ments are, therefore. of the opinion
that their decisions give satisfac-
ton to the anxiety which the Ger
man delegates profess for social ius-
tice ard insure the realization of re-
torms which the working classes have
more tnan ever right to expect af-
yer the cruel trial to which the world
has been subjected during the mast
FIVE years p@''
Accept, sir, etc,
&c. CLEMENCEAU."
The German Protest
The text of the German no+o xul,.
&aa fnru,a rfled M..x ~ .-'~..