New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-28
British Workers Condemn
Measure, but Will Not
Fight 1t.
1887 MEN JOIN
COLORS IN 6 WEEKS
Hope Not Dead That New In
listments May Make Act a
Dead Letter.

London. Jan. 27.-The Labor Congress
at Bristol adopted to-day by vote OF
1.7lG.OO0 against 5000. declaration
opposing the military service BILL which
has been passed by Parliament. A
proposal to agitate for its repeal. how
ever, was defeated by $4,000 against
$4,000.
DR.. Marion Philips. Of the Women's
Labor League. moved the resolution
against the military service hill as
foreshadowing industrial CONSUMPTION.
This resolution does not mean that the
working people Of Great Britain wish
to Law down their responsibilities tow
ard their allies" she said, "and it must
not be taken as a betrayal Of the obi
cations whereinto they have entered.
The apparently contradictory votes
were brought about by the labor mems
determination to display their uniiineh-
ing opposition to militarism and their
desire at the same time not To embar-
rass the government in the prosecution
of the war.
Opposed TO CONSUMPTION.
These views found expression in the
various speeches Of the leaders, even
those supporting the governments com
pulsion scheme. such as Arthur Hen
derson. president Of the Board Of Edu-
cation; George Henry Roberts, VI. 7.
for Norwich, and VIII Thorne, Social
Democrat. saying they were rnaltera-
bly, opposed to any permanent con
scription system. but adding that the
circumstances Of present military ex-
pediency compelled them to the conclu-
sion that some such temporary scheme
was an absolute necessity.
Mr.. Henderson, in a stirring speech
in reply TO charges of trickery and
deception on the part of the govern
ment, declared that for the fr-t time
in history a Premier and a Secretary
Of State for War had invited the labor
leaders 20 meet them in orde. TO ex-
plain the situation to them. Nj. Hen
derson proceeded 10 refute other
charges from socialistic quarters 20 the
effect that the government had 'Xtend-
cd its war programme IN proportion as
the numbers in the army increased.
He showed that the extension Of
the theatres Of war had been brought
about by the Central Powers and that
the Entente Allies had only sent armies
where they were needed 20 meet fresh
developments Of the enemy. while all
the demands for men were brought
about by stern necessity. He told OF
pledges that had been made TO him
that the compulsory service measure
would not be used for industrial com
pulsion.
New Rush to Enlist.
Mr.. Henderson announced that since
December Is. when the Derby scheme
closed. no fewer than 1927 single
men had enlisted. Of whom $4,000 en-
listed directly. instead Of under the
group system. The speaker said he
considered this an excellent result Of
the reopening of the Derby scheme, for
which he was responsible, and II this
rate Of enlistment continued. by the
end Of six weeks the Laborites would
probably be in the position of realizing
their hope that the military service
act would be rendered a dead letter.
Mr.. Roberts pointed out that com
pulsion had often been used by the
trade unioaists. and thought that when
the country was passing through such
an unprecedented crisis it was iusti-
fable 20 apply it for the defence Of
the country.
These addresses. however, did not
shake the resolve Of the delegates 10
declare against principle Of mlitar-
ism. but evidently checked the desire
expressed i'm various quarters for a
repeal agitation. The more moderate
counscls eventually prevailed over the
extreme elements among the delegates,
some Of whom were inclined 20 in
fammatory advice TO the workers TO
use their united power and strike Is
a protest against compulslon.
The miners leader, 7. Smile. said
that the government required all the
support it could obtain from the La
borites. and that nothing should be
done 20 divide the countrys determina-
tion 20 carry the Allies fight against
militaristic domination. as represented
by the Central Powers, 10 a success
full issue.
The conference then adjourned until
tomorrow.