New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-25


call official Labor in England; with
some Three Millions of workingmen
behind it; over whom these leaders
have. in theory, complete authority;
and in fact some authority when the
men choose 10 recognize 1t.
Upon the invitation of this body the
Prime Minister and Lord Kitchener at
tended and addressed the Conference
on Tuesday afternoon. THE Times
describes this as IAN event which is
evidently Of the first Importance" No
doubt il is, by why is it?
The Official statement" this morning
issued by the Conference tells us why.
Again Labor presents itself as part
ner IN the Government OF this coun-
try. The Conference and the Ministry
treat each other as equals. Mr.. Asquith
and Lord Kitchener attend at the sum
mons Of the Labor delegates TO plead
their cause. Then the Conference an
nounces formally. IN ITS best Official
manner, that after hearing the Prime
Minister and Lord Kitchener they still
believe that men enough can be OBJ
tanned by volunteering. They offer 70
assist the Government" 10 secure re-
cruits. and TO organize Labor Re
cruiting Campaign throughout the coun-
try; TO which end they ask the Govern
ment to state frankly their needs. The
spirit Of this statement Is excellent,
but il is none the less an attempt once
more 70 postpone National Service. II
the Government is in its old mood the
attempt may very well succeed.
But in the Government itself changes
are going on. A process of evolution
is visible. An Inner Cabinet-our old
ia MI n
War Cabinet Of seven or ten TO have
immediate charge of the conduct Of the
war. IL IS project as yet too shadowy
TO discuss. SO is the rumor, though IL
is more than a rumor, that the Con-
scription wing of the Cabinet Is gaining
strength and that the vote when taken
is likely to be close.
But the general attitude Of Labor
remains what II was at Bristol: an
attitude Of restricted and contingent
LOYALTY. The Congress stood pledged
10 support the conduct Of the war so
far as possible" and TO support the
present" policy Of the Government.
That and no more. To national or
COMPULSORY service they remained
hostile. They and their friends and
their organs in the press continued
10 maintain that 10 CONSUMPTION, as
they prefer to call il. Labor was in
Aexibiy opposed. Mr. J. II. Thomas's
threat Of Industrial Revolution" still
echoed through the House of Com
mons: unrebuked and unwithdrawn.
Kitchener Is the Greatest Concern.
No wonder. then. that the visit Of
the Prime Minister and OF Lord kitch-
cner 10 this weeks Labor Conference
should be deemed IAN event OF the
first importance" Sundry reports or
what they are supposed 10 have sald
have been put about. They diner
widely each from the other. and there
is no authorized or authentic version
But one thing seems clear. Lofa
Kitchener told the Labor Conference
what the War Office has since told the
Bristol recruiting committee ana
through them the public, by telegram
Failing of in the recruiting re,
Gently has caused Lord Kitchener ana
the War Office the greatest concern.
Not merely concern, but the gfeat-
est concern" In that particular form
the statement is new. Heretofore ~ mas mas
been ANXIETY" or great anxiety NOW
we have the superlative; not iteque.'
thing from Lord kitchener's lips AS
for The Prime Minister, he is believed
10 have taken the Labor Conference
much deeper into his confidence than
he has thus far the House OF Commons
or the country. He has told them, IN
secrecy. what danger threatens ana IN
what way. or perhaps IN what alteTha-
tive ways, the danger can be met.
In ordinary times and with a Min.
istrv less WilsOnian IN It's DISLIKE or
deciding things. all this would point
10 the near adoption OF compulsory
Service. II men cannot be haa NoIuh-
tarily they must be had eompplsoHIlIy'
or defeat stares England in the face.
But logic is no basis for prediction,