New-York tribune., 1908-02-02
THE BRITISH "L4BORITE" LAPSE.

| The latest move of the Labor party in Great
Britain appears to indicate that there was
ground for the recent cry in that country
against "the menace of socialism and also
| for the expectation which was expressed soon
after the last general election that the Labor
ties" as they were called. would before long
become outright socialists. The national con-
ference of the Labor party was held recently
at Hull. and one of the foremost topics consid-
cred by it was It's relations with socialism
It's action upon the matter was somewhat con-
tradictory the vote of one day being practically
reversed the next day, but the net and final
result was apparently pretty complete merger
of the party with socialism.
The question first came up on Tuesday, Janu-
ary 21 in the form Of motion to define the
constitution of the party as being Ito organize
.and maintain a parliamentary labor party
- whose ultimate object shall be
"the overthrow of the present competitive sys-
item of capitalism and the institution of
public ownership and control of all the means
"of life" That evidently meant socialism.
tbonci II did not mention the name. The mo
tion was overwhelmingly rejected. and that
result was announced as rejection or social
ISM But the next day, Wednesday, another
motion was presented, declaring that the time
sbae arrived when the Labor party should
have as a definite object the Specialization OF
the means of production and distribution anu
exchange to be controlled by democratic
| "state in the interest OF the entire community.
| "and the complete emancipation of labor from
| "the domination of capitalism and landlord
..ism That also and as obviously meant So
| cialism. and even went so far as to declare it
bv name: and that molten was adopted by Il
decisive majority. 1t is true that the motion
might he regarded nothing more than the ex-
preston of an opinion. But when the national
conference of party deliberately and by a
strong majority commits itself to certain
opinion we may regard that opinion as defining
| the character and aims Of the party In such
manner we may consider that the Labor party
of Great Britain has definitely allied and iden-
titled itself with socialism.
The chief importance of that movement re-
sides in its prospective effect upon the two
great political parties of the kingdom. Hitherto
for some time there has been an inclination
toward working understanding between the
Liberals and the LabOrites. But to a large part
of the Liberal party socialism, as set forth In
the Hull resolution is wholly repugnant, and 1t
seems proba BILE that many leading Liberals Will
decline cooperation or political association of
any kind with those who profess such senti
mente 1t may be that these anti-socaiStS
will control the Liberal party and break off
whatever connection may have existed between
II and the Labor party, in which case we might
| expect a few Of the more radical Liberals TO
sccede and join the socialists. Or it may be
that the Liberal party will maintain its rela-
tons with the LabOrites. despite their social
istic lapse and that in that case some of the
more conservative members will withdraw from
/ the party caucus. In some way. it seems al
most certain, the question of socialism will
largely determine the alignment of parties in
/ the kingdom. But We should he surprised If
| uItima tey all the trade union members We're
| to be found on one side of the line.