The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-06-05
LABOR MEMBERS
MAKE PROTEST
Visit of King Edward to Russia
Causes Debate in House
of Commons.
VIOLENT SPEECHES MADE
SOCIALIST MOTION is BADLY
BEATEN on THE VOTE.

London. June 4.-ViOlent protests were
made by the socialists and labor members
IN the house OF commons this afternoon
against King Ed wards approaching visit
10 Russia The speakers drew lurid pic
lures of the alleged conditions in the Mus
CoNlte empire, declaring that while they
had no objection 10 King Edward pri-
Vately visiting his relative. Emperor
Nlcholas. they had the greatest abhor-
renee or the idea OF a state visit TO Rus
SIG win Its horrors, fortunes and perse-
Fraternizing with the hangmen of lib-
eLty IN Russia they declared 10 be a
suzanne ana a disgrace to Great Britain
NHlcn could not avoid contamination in
mat she mixed i'm evil"
me labor socialists suggested that the
VISIT mad been engineered by Russia with
+lne view of rehabilitating her credit and
John O. >. MacNe!ll nationalist, Joined in
the protest
Foreign Seeretary's Reply.
Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, on
behalf OF the government deprecated the
tone and temper of this attack. He de-
clared the evidence proved clearly that
the system of government in Russia had
markedly bettered during the last two
, years and said an attempt to exert pres
sure as suggested would hinder this con-
suIuuonal progress instead of helping IL
lie then invited the house TO consider
what kind of resentment would have been
aroused In Great Britain had the en-
peror of Russia declined TO visit this
country until fun government had
been granted the Transvaal The govern
men had advised the king 10 pay this
VISIT, which, according 10 its information,
would be welcomed by all the moderate
and liberal elements Of Russia.
No Treaty Pending.
Sir Edward then repeated that no negO-
uatlOns were on foot for a new treaty or
convention with Russia, and he said none
would be initiated during the visit Ii
was hoped, however that the visit would
have the political effect of improving the
relations between the two countries. A
few years ago such q visit would have
been impossible. The fact that IL occurs
now is intended 10 emphasize the knOwl-
edge that the relations between the coun-
tries today are friendly and he trusted
they would continue SO.
The foreign secretary then went on to
say consequences OF the attitude of alOOf-
ness or boycott of Russia suggested by
the labor socialists must be disastrous
and would sooner or later lead 10 war
The British government was pursuing a
policy OF peace and if the house rejected
that policy he would fall with it.
Attacks Not Justified.
Attacks on the personal character of
Emperor Nicholas Weres not justified. If
the cabinet advised the king 10 take up
the attitude suggested il might as well
tear up the "Anglo-Russian convention"
lie reminded the house that the general
peace of the world depended greatly upon
Great Britain's relations to Russia
Arthur J. BalfOur associated himself
and the entire uniOnist party with Sir Ed
ward Grey's "abe and dignified speech. %
James Kerr Hardie, socialist. eXcelled
himself in violence of language against
Emperor Nicholas and the Russian gov
eminent. He was called 10 order by the
speaker. who threatened TO stop the de-
bate unless he withdrew certain Objec-
uOnable phrases. This Mr.. HaTdie finally
did
The labor socialist motion cOndemning
his majestys visit 10 Russia was defeated,
225 votes 10 50.