The sun., 1917-08-22
STOCKHOLM MOVE
UPHELD IN BRITAIN
Labor Conference Votes by
Small Majority to Send
Delegates.
spsctai cable pespateA to TnE sus.

LONDON. Aug. 2l.-Ths British Labor
party by q majority OF 5000 in . vote
Of 1.23<.000 to 1,231.0o0 to-day up I'D
its plan 10 send delegates TO the inter-
national Socialist conference in Stock
holm. just ten days ago. and prior to
the resignation Of Arthur Henderson as
Labor member OF the British war coun-
ell. the same party upheld his suggestion
to send delegates to the conference by .
majority OF more than 100000. One
great factor in the apparent defeat for
Mr.. Henderson to-day was q change In
the attitude Of the miners, who swung
SOC. 900 votes.
Another factor accounting for the
large number OF votes against sending
delegates to Stockholm was the address
Of George Nicoll Barnes. successor to
Mr.. Henderson In the war council. in
which ne advocated that the Labor
party members remain with the Govern
ment. This swung another batch of
votes to the Government. and one high
authority said that II now looked as II
tha Government had nothing more to
fear from the Stockholm delegation.
william Purdy, chairman Of the Brit
ish Labor party. presided at tho con-
ference to-day. On the platform were
Mr.. Henderson. James Ramsey Nc
Donald. ex-leader Of the party; Mr..
Barnes, George ]. Wardls. chairman Of
the party In the Commons. and John r.
Clynes and George II. Roberts. respec-
lively Labor members OF Parliament
from Manchester and Norwich. Two
Russian delegates attracted attention.
Henderson Defends Course.
Der Of the British War Council on ac-
count OF the question at issue. made a
long defence Of his action. The Socialist
element proposed that all labor repre-
sentatives should be Instructed 70 with
draw from the Government. but tho sug-
gestion did not meet with sufficient sup
port TO come to a vote.
Mr.. Barnes. who succeeded Mr. Hen
derson in the Cabinet, defended himself
against attack. and said he proposed to
continue to support the Government in
what he believed would be successful
effort TO establish freedom in the world.
He believed Germany had all to gain
and the others all to lose from the
Stockholm conference.
The following resolution was moved
and seconded:
The conference remains Of tho opin-
ion that It Is desirable for the British
Labor party to be represented at the
International Socialist Conference
about to be held in order that the
opinions OF the party may not be mis-
represented e and the conference notes
with regret that the Government has
expressed the intention of refusing
passports and licenses for this purpose
and directs that representations be
made to the Government on the sub
ject
Passport Refusal to stand.
In Parliamentary circles the opinion
Ii generally expressed that in view OF
the closensAs OF the vote OF the con-
ference the Government will adhere 20
its decision 20 refuse passports 20 dele
gates to the Stockholm congress. John
Hodge. the new Minister nj Pensions. ex-
pressed the opinion that the vote has
KILLED the conference az Stockholm
from the British labor point OF view
II cannot believe, In tact.' Mr.. Hodge
continued. that the Government in
view Of the result Of to-day's vote can
DO otherwise thaa refuse 10 issue pass
ports"
Charles william Bowernan. Secretary
OF the Trades Union Congress. said "A
3,ooo majority IN \ division represent tin z
$500, 900 does rot provide strong man
dare for an appeal 70 the Government to
reverse It's decision. nor does It convey
the impression that the Stockholm con-
ference can usefully ba attended by
British delegates