New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-03
Labor Demands
Right to Attend
Peace Meetings
Lloyd George Government
Warned 1t Must Yield
or Face Vote
No Sectional Truce
Premier Asks Commons to
Retain Unity Until Victory
10 Achieved

London, Aug. g James Henry
Thomas, Labor member in the House of
Commons. warned the government yes.
terday that if Labor members were pre-
vented from discussing peace by re-
fusal of passports to countries where
it is proposed to hold conferences, it
would be inviting the Labor party to
step in and force the governments
hands.
Premier Lloyd George assured the
House that the government had not in
the least altered its view on the only
possible conditions of peace consistent
with the honor and security of the
country. The debate was on the ques-
ton whether the government was act
ing constitutionally and in the national
interest in permitting Arthur Hender-
son, member of the War Council, to ac-
company a pacifist mission. including
James Ramsay Macdonald and George
James Wardle, both members of Par
Lament, to Paris.
The government. continued Lloyd
George, proposed to take no part in any
conference such as Mr.. Henderson de-
scribed, either by a representative or
by having any member Of the govern
ment present. 1t would allow no sec
tional conference to dictate terms Of
peace. That was the responsibility of
the government.
81 happened to be in Paris at the
same time as Mr. Henderson" said Mr..
Lloyd George, "but was discussing the
best means of prosecuting the war, and
the conference which it is proposed to
resume in London in the next few DAYS
with representatives of the great Al
lied nations will have the same pur-
pose"
French Face Same Problem
Proceeding to allude to Mr.. Hender-
sons dual position, the Premier. after
paying a tribute to Mr.. Henderson's
war work on munitions and recruiting,
said there were similar dual position.
in Paris, where labor had done great
administrative war work. and before he
considered what had been criticised as
anomalous he should like to discuss II
with his French colleagues who are in
the same position. The French Pre-
mier, he said, would be in London
within forty-eight hours. On the main
question the government had to pay no
attention to pacifsts, but to devote its
whole time to prosecuting the war.
Mr.. Lloyd George agreed tina. there
was something in Mr.. Henderson's
contention as to advantages and dis
advantages which should be weighed.
He wondered whether the House real
lied the explosive material there was
about. He never despaired Of the Al
lied cause and felt confident Russia
would recover, but begged the members
to give her chance. The men in
charge Of the Russian destinies were
facing overwhelming difficulties. he
said. They had to deal with a nation
bursting into life and blinded with its
dazzle, staggering, CROPPING and STUN
bling. The Russians had asked ,or
aid, and England was doing its best
to help them and not give offence. he
declared. What had happened In the
last few days had opened Russian eve,
He begged the House Of Commons rot
to pass hesty judgment. II must real
ize the vital necessity Of preserving
unity IN order to accomplish victory.
Lloyd George Asks Unity
If British leaders began to dissolve
ana disintegrate and fling one cell
league after another into the arms of
those fighting for the pacifsts' ends.
then he really would despair, he said
He appealed to the House to preserve
unity in order that 1--WE might win a
victory worthy of the cause for which
so many sacrifices have been made"
After hearing Mr.. Henderson's cx-
PLANTATION Of his mission, which strong
ly emphasized his views that the pro
posed conference should be merely
consultative and cannot in any way
be binding, and Mr.. Lloyd Georges re-
ply, which dilated on Mr.. Henderson's
valuable services and his plea TO the
House not to pass hasty judgment Or
insist on an immediate explanation as
10 why certain courses had been taken,
q motion of Viscount Duncannon,
Unionist member for Dover, TO. con-
slider whether the government was ar.-
ing constitutionaily in permitting Mr..
Henderson to accompany the mission
w:s talked out.
Press Criticises Henderson
Press critics Of Mr.. Henderson and
the government are dissatisfied at the
debate. The speeches, they say, did
not appreciably modify the hostility of
large section of the members of the
House Of Commons, including a strong
lsbor element. Mr.. Henderson's DC,
triotism is unimpugned, but the fact
that he did not repudiate a willingness
20 meet German delegates at Stock-
koim leaves the attitude Of the critics
much as before. Mr. Henderson. ss
Secretary Of the Labor Party. con-
vened special party conference for
August 10, when, presumably, the ex-
tent OF the reported cleavage among
labor members on this question will
be revealed.
1t was made clear by Andrew Bonar
Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer. in
the House Of Commons to-day that M
member OF the government would at.
tend the proposed international Social
ist conference.
While the government had not de-
cided upon its policy regarding the
granting Of passports to private in
dividuals to attend, he said. the step
would not be taken without serious
consideration and probably not at all"
Pratt de la Riva
Corona, Spain. Aug, 2.-Sehor Pratt