PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16546, 11 June 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

GERMAN COUNTER-PROPOSALS. ALLIED REPLY AND DEMAND. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cabl© Association.) PARIS, June 9. ( Tlie Allies intend to deliver their reply to the German counter-proposals on June 13th, and to allow the Ger- . mans five days in which to sign the ; Treaty. ATTITUDE OF THE ALLIES. THE LABOUR CONVENTION. (Received Juno 10th, 11.35 p.m.) PARIS, June 1. # It is understood that after consideration of the counter-proposals, tho Americans decline to sacrifice a single principle in the Treaty. The British view is divided, but mainly stands by the document, though some members are inclined to make concessions on non-vital principles. The French stand by the letter of the Treaty, which Belgium supports, while Italy and Japan are indifferent, being; satisfied to leave the decision to France, England, and America. Tho Allies' reply to the German note on labour legislation points out that the Allies have had a long experience of democratic institutions, a nd consider it is their duty to collaborate with labour in the formulation of labour laws. They take exception to the German misconception that tho views and interests of Governments must necessarily be antagonistic to those of labour. On the contrary, accredited representatives of labour now form some part of the genuine democratic Governments of the world, therefore it is assumed that antagonism is unlikely except in the case of Governments that aro democratic in name only. It is incorrect for the Germans to say that the demands of the Berne Congress have been disregarded. In fact, they find expression in the treaty and the general principles of tho League. Tho Allies nave also accepted the idea of the early admission of German representatives in respect to tho international labour organisation. Tho reply emphasises the point that the Conventions under the Peace Treaty aro at present more effective than international labour laws, for tho infringement of which no penalty can bo applied. The German suggestion that the peace negotiations should bo delayed in order to hold another labour conference at Versailles is contrary to the interests of tho workers, who, more than anyone else, desire a rotnrn to peace and relief from the conditions produced by four years of German aggression.

treaty under revision. (Received June 10th, 7.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Juno 2. The Paris correspondent of the "New York Times" states that the most reliable information from Berlin says that Count Rantzau is insisting that the German Government Bhoula accept his resignation. The Paris correspondent of tno "New York World" states that it is practically certain that several revisions of the Peace Troaty will be sanctioned by the "Big Four," but the principles underlying the document will not be changed. AMERICAN CHARGES. WASHINGTON, June 9. In connexion with Senator Roots charges that financial magnates had copies of the secret clauses of the Peace I'reaty, the Senato investigation disclosed that copies of the Peace Terms with Germany were brought to the United States by an American correspondent who presented them to J. P. Morgan. Schieff, Vanderlip, and other New York millionaires. He has been summoned as a witness with a view to discovering whether the financial interests are benefiting by their knowledge of the details of the Treaty. THE AUSTRIAN TERMS. PARIS, June 9. The Council of Four has discussed the political clauses of the Austrian peace terms. The Austrian peace is delayed owing to the Italian insistence on the right to deport undesirables from the Austrian Tyrol.