New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-22
British Laborites
Favor Stockholm
By Narrow Vote
Majority for Peace Farley
Is Only 5000 in Nearly
100000
Session Is Turbulent
Henderson, Ex-Minister, Makes
Long Defence of His
Course

LONDON, Aug. 2l.-By the narrow
majority of 5000 in vote represent
ing nearly 100000 workers, to-day,
the British Labor Conference decided
to stand by its plan OF sending dele
gates TO the international Socialist
Conference at Stockholm. The vote
was attended by a turbulent scene.
Part of the delegates sang Social
list song, and others the patriotic
keep the Home Fires Burning
Arthur Henderson, who resigned as
member of the British War Council, on
account of the question at issue. made
.ong defence of his action. The So
cialist element proposed that all labor
representatives should be instructed to
withdraw from the government, but
the suggestion did not meet with suf-
ficient support to come to vote.
George y. Barnes, who succeeded Mr..
Henderson in the Cabinet. defended
himself against attack, and said he
purposed TO continue to support the
government in what he believed would
be a successful effort to establish free
dom in the world. He believed Ger
many had all to gain and the others
all to lose from the Stockholm Con-
ference, he said.
Vote on Proposal Close
The ,,oto in favor of sending labor
delegates to Stockholm stood l,234,OOO
to ,23l 900.
In Parliamentary circles the opinion
is generally expressed that in view of
the closeness of the vote of the con-
ference the government will adhere 70
its decision to refuse passports to dele
gates to the Stockholm Congress. John
Hodge, the new Minister of Pensions.
expressed the opinion that the vote had
KILLED the conference at Stockholm
from the British labor point of view"
81 cannot believe, in fact" Mr.. Hodge
continued, that the government, In
view Of tho result of to-day's vote, can
do otherwise than refuse TO issue pass
ports"
Charles William Bowerman, secretary
Of the Trades Union Congress, said: "A
1000 majority in a division represent
ing two and half millions does not
provide a strong mandate for an appeal
TO the government to reverse its deci-
sion. nor does it convey the impression
that the Stockholm conference can use
fully be attended by British delegates
William Purdy, chairman OF the
British Labor party, presided al
the labor conference. On the plat
form were Mr. Henderson, James
Ramsey Macdonald, ex-leader OF the
Labor party; Mr.. Barnes, George j.
Wardle, chairman of the Labor party
in the House of Commons, and John K.
Clvnes and gorge II. Roberts, re-
snectiyelv labor Members of Parlla-
ment from Manchester and Norwich.
Two Russian delegates also were pres
ent.
Mr. Henderson in his address denied
that he had withheld deliberately or IN
tentionallv from the labor conference
any information with reference TO the
Russian attitude toward the Stockholm
conference.
Premier Kerensky of Russia, he said,
had been in favor of British represen-
tation at Stockholm. If he (Hender-
SOM had failed or had erred it was only
because of his loyalty to labor. lie
hoped the conference would not press
for the withdrawal of labor members
from tho government because that pol
icy. in his opinion. would be subverslve
TO the national interests and the sue
cessful prosecution Of the war.
Possible Change Seen
The international situation. Mr.. Hen-
derson said. might change, and 1t might
be that the various governments would
desire that the conference should be
held in Stockholm. Premier Lloyd
George had been in favor of the con-
ference. and he might be so again
What was virtue in May ought not TO
be a crime for them in August. |
The following resolution was moved
and seconded:
"The conference remains Of the opln-
ion that il 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 ms
represented, and the conference notes
with regret tina: 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
iect."