Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-27
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
The Stockholm Conference e.
Prisoners Relief-Treatment
of Workers
THE SOCIALIST CONFERENCE

To the Editor ot Ererin0 Ledger;
Sir-Phiip Scheidemann, Lender Of the
majority mow rapidly becoming the
minority Of the German Socialists, returns
from Stockholm to Berlin with the declara-
tion that he has become convinced as a re-
suit Of his consultation with the leaders Of
International Socialism at the Swedish cap
ital that nothing but a sweeping democrat!-
cation Of Germany" will bring peace and
end the world slaughter.
Strange. is 1t not that the Stockholm
conference. which has been stigmatized as
a pro-German trap to enable the Kaiser ito
cash in his military victories" should prove
the school that finally convinced Herr
Schedemann of the necessity of "a new
internal orientation in Germany? Where
are those fears and bugaboos raised in
bigoted circles in this country and else
where, the prejudices which prompted our
State Department to withhold passports
from the delegates of the American Socialist
party to the Stockholm conference?
The action of the State Department be-
comes all the more unjustified when we
read the peace program presented to the
Stockholm conference by the American So
cialist party through its messenger, Dr. Max
Goldfarb, for many years prominent
leader in the Russian revolutionary move
ment. That peace program Is not the pro-
gram OF the Kaiser 1t is the peace pro-
gram of the revolutionary Government OF
Russia. the Council of Workmen's and
Soldiers Deputies. the revolutionary
minority NOW rapidly becoming the ma
jority) Of the German Social Democracy and
the enlightened public opinion Of European
democracy.
The best answer to the decision of our
State Department not to permit American
Socialists to go to Stockholm is contained IN
Schedemann's declaration Of the necessity
of the characterization of Germany II was
the Russian revolution and the Stockholm
conference that taught Herr Scheidemann
this most valuable lesson.
In view Of this fact II is hoped that the
International Socialist Congress summoned
at Stockholm for June 2S. al the initiative
Of the Russian Council OF Workmen and
Soldiers, will serve to impress this lesson
still stronger not only upon Scheidemann's
mind, but upon the mind Of the Prussian
nutocracy as well.
Under these circumstances don't you
think that II Is about time for our State De-
partment 10 revise its decision in the mat
ter of granting passports to the American
Socialist delegates? Don't you think that In
view Of the fact that the British and French
Governments have finally decided to grant
passports to their Socialists, the United
states cannot AFFORD to stand alone among
the nations Of the world in continuing the
injustice Of Mr. LansinEs "ukase"9
Mr.. Lansing has been the victim, Of mis-
information supplied to him BY those who
desire TO see this war continue for i'm
perialist ends solely and a bakers dozen ~
Benedict Arnolds in the Socialist movement
repudiated by the $4,000 duss-paying mem
bers Of the Socialist party and soeisIis,
public opinion In general both here ana
abroad.
II is time for Mr.. Lansing to correct this
mistake. ! suspect that II is in no smsiI
measure responsible for the fact that moi
only Elihu Root special American envoy 10
Russia, but even Charles Edward RuSs.iI
ex-Socialist. have not as vet receivsd sD ~.
vitation TO address the All-Russian Co,,rciI
Of Workmen and Soldiers at Petrogras
JOSEPH sHAPLEN.
Philadelphia June g.