The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-03-01

This action, as well as the decisions
of the September London convention,
was primarily and chiefly prearranged
in order to bring all possible influence
upon the peace commissioners, and in
"a general way incorporate in their
conclusions conditions which the rep
resentatives Of organized labor expect
ed would not only benefit the workers
of the Allied countries and America,
but also similarly all workers through
out Europe, and in very great meas
ure influence progressive and just pol
icies in behalf Of all the workers Of
the world.
~ "A conference was held in London
between the American delegates and
the parliamentary committee of the
British Trades Union Congress, at
which the information was given that
the French labor representatives above
referred to deemed it unnecessary for
them to visit London because the
American and British labor represen-
tatives would be Immediately in
rance at Paris, at which time the
conference which had been suggested
for London could be convened, per-
haps informally, but with the hope of
arriving at course Of procedure
which would be mutually satisfactory
to organized labor as represented by
the three groups of delegates.
For the Germans.
~ Several conferences were held in
Paris, but owing to some misunder-
standing in reference to the time of
holding the Paris conference, the Brit
ish representatives did not attend. In
stead, they sent a letter indicating
friendliness to the purposes Of the
meeting. At the London and Paris
British and French representatives
had already concluded to attend the
Berne conference, although admitting
the irregular course pursued in con-
vening it.
1.-THE American delegation thus as
certained that the purpose of the
meeting at Berne was because dele
gates of the Central Powers had been
invited and would be present, and that
he main reason for the Berne meet
ing was the purpose of arranging a.
Socialist procedure of an international
character. Berne had been selected
rs the place of meeting owing to the
.act of the peace terms not yet being
prepared and signed, and it therefore
,opld not have been automatically
roper or advisable to have German,
Austrian and Bulgarian delegates at a
held in Paris.
I'm addition to this, the American
delegation considered that if such a
convention hoped to have Influence
With the official peace commissioners
now sitting in Paris. it's purposes
would not have been enhanced and
might even have been largely ham,
pered if labor conditions and provi-
,ions were submitted in which labor
representing countries which
-,
he war had participated, for it would
lave been obvious then that the pro-
oosals submitted were largely Ger
nan made
The Plan Altered.
'The Berne conferences were orig
nally proposed as conferences of citi-
.:ens Of the Allied countries. BY. a
levlce which we cannot approve the
purpose was covertly altered so as to
include the delegates of nations with
which our countries were, and tech
1cally still are, at war. While, there
ore, the official peace conference is
session. and before it had admitted
representatives of the Teutonic powers
participate therein, it was proposed
hat we should sit side by side and
ace to face with such representatives
all them comrades, and in this pub
tc way condone the hideous and un-
orgettable crimes against humanity
nd democracy committed by their
ations. That is what, for the pres
mt, we declined to do.
THE peace deliberations are based
pom a program of meeting the dele
ates Of the Central Powers only after
he Allies and the United States have
greed among themselves and are in
ccord as to the terms to be insisted
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