The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-10
BRITISH DECIDE
TO join MEET
AT STOCKHOLM
Labor Party in Historic Session
Today in London.
Arthur Henderson, Cabinet
Member, Dictates Policy.
kEkVr nrkERE0N nN VEIcrn
MAKE DEMANDS ON KAISER
Declare Germany Trying To
Destroy Democracy.
Restoration and ReparatiOn for
Belgium Before Peace.

egates to the Stockholm consultative
conference in September by 1,046,0O0
to $1,000. The conference was in an
uproar which ended only when the
result of the card vote was announced.
The labor conference aroused mach
public interest. Large crowds assem-
bled in the neighborhood of the hall
watching the arrival of the delegates
the close and double scrutiny of their
credentials. SiD hundred delegates
representing all labor elements in
England were present
Opinion as to whether Britons
should take part in the Stockholm
meeting was sharply divided.
The resolution as adopted by the
conference today favors participation
of British labor in the Stockholm ses-
sions in a consultative way. but with
out being bound by action that may
be taken.
Most Important in History.
w. +. Hurdy, chairman o: the labor
convention, in calling for the vote,
emphasized that the question was
probably the most important in Ia
boris history. Two Russian labor rep
resentatives were seated on the plat
form as the balloting began.
Arthur Henderson, labor member
of the cabinet, favored British labors
participation in the Stockholm meet
ing as the resolution provided-con-
suItative but not binding.
Centers On Henderson.
The main initiatory cause of differ
ence was the conversion of Arthur
Henderson, minister without portfolio,
to the view, while he was in Petro-
grad that it is desirable for British
labOring men to go to Stockholm and
share in the deliberations of the in
ternational delegates, including the
Germans. 1t has been stated in the
past twenty-four hours that events in
Russia since his departure have caus-
ed a change in Mr.. Henderson's views
and that he would recant at today's
conference.
Labor Outlines Demands.
London. Aug. 10.-A special SUBJ
committee of the British labor party
executive committee has been prepar-
ing a memorandum upon the issues
raised in the war and the ideas OF
British labor in regard to peace pro-
posals. This is printed in today's
Daily Telegraph, where it occupies
more than two closely printed col
umns. The memorandum was to be
presented to the labor conference in
London today and further will be sub
nnitted to the special conference. Au-
gust 81, prior to its proposed submits
sion successfully to the allied and in
ternational Socialist conferences.
Briefly the memorandum is a strong
endorsement of the demand for the
and other invaded countries; dec
laration in favor of the rights of in
dividual peoples to settle their own
destinies; liberation of oppressed peo-
pies from Turkish miSgovernment and
a demand for the establishment of a
league Of nations for the maintenance
of peace and the elimination of war
from the world.
Germany Threatens Free People.
The memorandum indicates that
Germany is threatening the very eX-
istence of independent nationality.
striking a blow at all faith in treaties,
and declares that the victory of Ger
many would be the defeat and destruc-
ton of democracy and liberty. 1t dis
avows the desire to crush Germany
politically and economically and de-
clareS that while it is resolved to fight
until victory it is equally resolved to
! resist any attempt to transform the
war into a war of conquest.
The memorandum heartily congrat-
ulates the Russian people in the Ges-
truction of carbon and warmly vel
comes assistance to the cause of hui
man freedom in council no less than
in the battlefield that is now being
accorded by the American people," It
declares war is being waged against
the ruthless imperialism of autocratic
governments, and continues:
THE conference asks the peoples of
the several nations, particularly So
cialist labor comrades of Germa ny,
Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Tur-
key, whether it is not possible for
the united action of the working
classes of the world to bring this mon
strous conflict to a summary conclu-
sion comfortable to the principles of
the International
Must Abandon Imperialism
After welcoming the formula of no
anneXatlonS and indemnities of the
council of workmen's and soldiers
delegates the memorandum declares:
"Of all war aims none is SO impor
tant as that there should henceforth
on Carth be no more war. Whoever
triumphs, the world will have lost I'M
less some effective method of prevent
ing war can be found
For this reliance is largely placed on
the complete democratization of Ger
many and Austria Hungary which
now cannot fail to place themselves in
line with other civilized nations, on a
frank abandonment of every form of
! imperialism, on the suppression of Sc
cret diplomacy, on the placing of the
foreign policy under the control of
elected legislators, on the absolute re-
sponsibility OF the foreign minister of
each country to the legislature. on
concerted action for the limitation
of ornaments and the abolition of
profit making of armament firms
For World Peace League
1t is further declared hat the es-
sential condition of a treaty of peace
will be the establishment oe "A super
national authority or league of ma
tions adhered to by all present bellig-
erents while every other independent
state in the world should DE pressed to
join" The scope and constitution of
the proposed league are set forth. in
Guiding machinery for set- ling inter
national disputes and the formation of
an international legislature where in
every civilized state viii be repre-