New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-14
Discussion Of Stockholm
Conference Avoided in
Commons Debate
Henderson Sharply
Attacks Premier
George Nicoll Barnes Is
Named to Succeed the
Labor Minister
By ARTHUR s. DRAPER

LONDON, Aug. 13.-The food OF at
tack and counter-attack growing out OF
labor's decision to send delegates 20
the Stockholm Socialist conference con-
tinued to-day in Parliament, where Ar
thur Henderson defended his action
and Prime Minister Lloyd George re-
piled.
The former member Of the Cabinet
added several important points to the
controversy, which has now assumed
proportions greater even than the i'm
mediate question of party politics. Hen
derson showed that he went 10 Paris
with the knowledge OF his colleagues
in the war Cabinet, that he had never
given Lloyd George any reason to be-
lieve that he had changed his views
after his return from Russia, that the
government now refused to allow him
to quote kilograms from Russia. that
he first learned of his resignation from
the press, that he told the government
he was against any member of II. him
self included. attending the Stockholm
conference, and that if he had resigned
from the Cabinet before making his
speech to the labor men the majority
in favor of sending delegates to Stock
holm would have been even greater.
He ended his speech as he began i
by stating that his loyalty and patriot
ism prevented him from telling the
full story of Stockholm.
The Premiers reply added nothin;
to mis- attack on Mr.. Henderson's gooo
faith, nor did ne expand the charges
made in mis- published letter to Hen
derson. The public still lacks the full
evidence. but il is perfectly plain that
Henderson has regained much OF the
prestige he lost Immediately following
the Premier's attack. The matter viii
not drop here Ii will be carried
much further, and. unfortunately. an
internal night does not make for a
vigorous prosecution Of the war.
Mr.. BoEar Law announced in Par
Lament this afternoon that the gov
ernment would not issue passports for
the Irish delegates to 90 20 Stockholm.
but ne refused to commit the govern
ment on the question Of the English
delegates. Henderson and Macdonald
promise further disclosures regarding
the Russian position.
Meanwhile from Germany comes a
statement in the "Frankfurter Zeitung"
tina: if the Entente Socialists insist
on the question Of the responsibility
Of the war being placed before the
conference. the German Socialists will
probably decline to take part. The
German papers generally believe that
the Entente delegates will change their
views on this point after arriving at
Stockholm. They all ask whether
the British government dare refuse to
grant passports TO the delegates.
Labors Hold Unbroken
Labor has been showing its teeth for
several weeks, and now has a firm
nold, which will not be easily broker.
BY Henderson's clever manpuvring
Macdonald's scheme to pledge labor
10 policy Of peace by negotiation was
defeated, though he could just as easily
have swung labor the other way
There is not the slightest question Of
Henderson's loyal patriotism. II is as
strong as his hold upon Labor He
lost one son in the war and has an
other serving Low.
As an antagonist Of Lloyd George will
find Henderson worthy of all his politi-
cal skill. The Methodist total abstain.
er is frequent speaker at religious
meetings. Henderson, who served his
apprenticeship as an iron moulder,
LOOKS and talks at labor meetings like
a pulpit orator Having served for q
time as a Liberal agent, he eventually
entered Parliament as an independent
Labor representative.
With Henderson, Macdonald, Smillia
j. II. Thomas and Snowden working
together, labor will become the doml-
nant force Of the country They will
have strong support from the Liberals.
Irish Nationalists, and even a few
Conservatives will join them. Should
there be a general election, the pres
ent reform bill, which has changed the
whole question Of suffrage. would be
destroyed, along with number OF
other vital measures.