New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-11

cialiSt correspondents al fetrogtau
have been sending eablegrams stating
that il would be mistake for the Rus
slams 10 be left TO confer with Germans
and neutrals and for the voice OF the
British workmen not to be heard. .,,
The British majority delegates Will
present the British point OF view on
war issued at the conference, and MT
Henderson probably will be their
spokesman.
There is a possibility, however. that
The delegates will find difficulty in get
ting to Stockholm. Members Of the
Seamen's Union asserted to-day that the
question of British participation was
after all, under their control. TINS
union might prevent the delegates from
sailing by refusing TO man ships. as
they did when Ramsay Macdonalds
party attempted some time ago TO leave
the country to visit Russia and Stock
holm.
Freedom From Militarism
william Purdy opened the conference
by saying: -, -,
"The labor movement has gwen its
best TO insure to the Entente AInes
decisive victory over militarism, when
has shown itself brutal IN application
and determined to extinguish all ideals
Of democracy and liberty.
"Labors inhexible resolution is 10
see Justice done and reparation made.
and that still is the determination or
the great masses of the Industrial
classes of the country and the colonies
"No peace will be satisfactory unless
II guarantees complete freedom from
ko ounrosgi0n Of mllltarlSnn.
Our Russian comrades need all the
sympathy the Labor party here can give
them, and there is no question OF sepa-
rate peace. We must stand shoulder 10
shoulder until a righteous peace is OBJ
tanned. We are sure our Russian com :
rades are not going to exchange nara
won freedom for a sham one under the
heels Of Prussian militarism.
"The invitation to attend the STOCK
holm conference deserves careful con-
sideration. as the decision called for Is
probably the most important IN the
History Of the labor movement
Henderson Urges Conference
Arthur Henderson, who was cheered
when he rose TO speak before the vote
was taken, said: -,
'I address the conference with a
deep sense of my own responsibility
II must be borne in mind that the SIT
uation in Russia is constantly chshg-
ing. Otherwise injustice Will ne done
to the merits of the case. BEFORE
went to Russia | opposed the holdlhg
OF an ordinary conference. On my ar
rival in Petrograd, however, l met the
executives Of the Council OF WORK
mems and Soldiers Delegates, and In
81 n
ion intimated to them that II they
p,sre prepared TO change the confer
once from an obligatory to consulta-
tive one. / would recommend that the
British labor movement reverse ITS
previous decision and make consulta-
ton possiblc. That position l main
tain.
"The Russians wanted a binding
conference TO actually discuss peace
terms. made it clear that II our
representatives participated, there
could be no question of negotiating
terms. Our case is not properly un-
derstood in Russia to this day, and to
have refused point blank to consider
the question would have done incalcu-
liable harm. The Russians still inslst
upon binding conference. BRUSH
labor would be placed in a most dan
gerous position by sending delegates
10 such a meeting"
Favors Consultation Only
81 still favor a consultative confer
cnce with a proper safeguard. ! leave
the decision as to that TO the conIer-
ence. hut il should be settled from the
standnoipt of national interests and
not of party. L..
81 made It clear 10 the Russians that
oplv governments could negotiate terms
However. seeing that a conference was
inevitable. I concluded that IL would be
;nadvisabie. perhaps dangerous, Tor
the Russians to meet enemy and neu-
trsl representatives alone. ! recon-
; mend that the British attend, provided
conditions satisfactory to US are ar
ranged s.,.
tive of much good. A frank statement
nrobablv would provide the German
minority Socialists with important
facts hitherto withheld from the Ger
man people"
Memorandum on War Issues
The memorandum presented to the
conference by the special sub-commlt-
tee of the executive committee, dealing
with the issues raised in the war and
the ideas of British labor in regard to
peace proposals. is printed IN to-day
Daily Telegraph
BrieAy. the memorandum is strong
Endorsement of the demand Tor the
reparation and restoration IN oehali OF
Belgium and other invaded countries
A declaration in favor of the right o.
ibdividusl people 20 settle their owr
Of
nles from Turkish disagreement. anc
demand for the establishment OF
Ioarue of nations for the maintenance
~ neace and the elimination OF wal
from the world.
The memorandum indicates that Ger
many is threatening the very existence
Of independent nationalities, striking
blow al all faith in treaties, and de-
clares that the victory OF Germany
would be the defeat and destruction OF
democracy and liberty. Il disavows the
desire 20 crush Germany politically
and economically and declared that
while il is resolved to fight until vic
tory. il is equally resolved to resist
any ATTEMPT 10 transform the war into
war OF conquest
Welcomes Russian Revolution
The memorandum heartily congratu.
lates the Russian people on the de-
struction of Carbon and warmly wei;
comes assistance to the cause OF
human freedom in council, no less than
on the battlefield, that is now being
accorded by the American people" II
declares war is being waged against
ths ruthless imDerialism of autocratic
Governments, and continues:
"The conference asks the peoples OF
Tho several nations, particularly Sc