Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-05-22
The Stockholm Conference
BIZ Frederic J. HdSktn

Washington, May l9.-lt seems to be agreed
among political observers that the conference of
European socialists, which has been called by
the Russian revolutionists to meet at Stockholm,
Is indicative OF new force affecting interna-
tional affairs. 1t is stated by some that this
conference foreshadows rising OF the European
proetariat to end the war.
That, it appears, is rather more than the So
cialists themselves expect Of the meeting. So
cialists in this country who have closely fol-
lowed the development OF the movement in
Europe say that the Stockholm conference will
probably not accomplish much toward making
peace because none OF the beligerents will be
adequately represented. The Russian socialists
have issued call for another conference to be
held in Russia for the specific purpose Of dis
cussing terms Of peace, and this conference, they
say, provided the Russian radical government
holds together, may have very important in
huence in world affairs
There Is no doubt of the impetus which has
been given to European socialism by the success
Of the Russian revolution. In autocratic Ger
many, Scheidemann, the leader OF the social
democrats, and Lebedour, the leader OF the
radical socialists, have risen in their places and
threatened the government with revolution un-
less 1t will renounce its claim for indemnity and
conquered territory. This is rather more in
the way of defiance to government than would
be tolerated in the United States, The German
chancellor is openly catering to the radicals, and
the "junkers," or landed aristocracy of Germany,
who are the most conservative element in the
nation, are threatening to withdraw their sup
port from the government unless it renounces its
new progressive tendencies.
In the German Reichstag the socialist party
before the war was the strongest one repre-
sented, having 1888 OF the 397 members. Its
strength remains about the same, but the Rus
sian revolution has inspired it with new solid
arity and aggressiyeness. The growth Of social
sar, frA~ Ia a-ke
that in 1871 the Reichstag had two socialist
members, in 1881 it had thirteen socialist men,
bers and in 1890 it had thrty-fve.
In England the recent strikes are attributed
to the same unrest which seems to be running
through the masses of every European country
and the radical thinkers who lead them. In
France the socialist organization has greatly
strengthened since the war and is threatening
the control of the Chamber of Deputies by the
more conservative wing. In 1914 the socialists
and independent socialists had 1870 members in
the chamber out of total of COZ.
1t is evident from these facts that the So
cialists are real force in the belligerent coun-
tries, and that any cooperative movement Of
them, led by the socialist government of Russia,
would be formidable thing. The obstacle to
such movement lies in the fact that in all of
stronger within the socialist ranks than that Elm
ternationalism" which is the spirit that the So
cialist would in theory substitute for devotion to
national interests. Thus the French socialists,
although demanding that their own government
shall restate its aims in the present war, have
conference with the German socialists until the
latter have used their power to withdraw the
German claim to AlsaSe and Lorraine They
will not, therefore, participate in the Stockholm
conference as national party, although mi-
nority of them may send representatives
All of the socialist parties believed in the
desirability and feasibility of universal peace
World socialism before the war claimed 30,000-
600 adherents and 100000 voters Many So
calists believed that the international strength
of their parties was great enough to prevent a
world war. But the world war was in full swing
express an opinion. They discovered that, what
ever they might have done in the way Of Great
ing sentiment against war, they certainly had no
machinery wherewith to prevent governments
from making war.
But as the war went on the socialists began
to perceive that out Of the very cataclysm they
had sought to avert were emerging certain bene-
fits to their cause. Thus socialists have con-
tended for government control Of the means of
production in order to prevent the accumulation
Of private wealth. And in nearly all Of the bel
ligerent countries. including now the United
States, the governments have been forced to
assume an increased control over the production
of foods and machinery and clothes for the sake
of economy and efficiency. This the socialists
regard as demonstration of the soundness of
their theories
But the socialists still stand by their respec-
tive governments. The Stockholm conference
will be merely meeting of the Russian revou-
tionists, the socialists OF the neutral European
countries and such representatives Of the mi
nority socialist parties OF the belligerent coun-
tries as are able to obtain passports from their
governments.
1t is stated that the socialist party OF the
United States will not take part in the confer
ence. So far only one American socialist is
known to have applied for passports for the pur-
pose Of attending the conference. That one is
James E. Howe, the so-called millionaire hobo"
and president of the international Brotherhood
Welfare association. Mr.. Howe was required by
the State department to sign paper saying that
he would not used his influence toward the max
ing Of any separate peace by Russia. He was
further informed that his ship would sail by way
Of Halifax, where he might be further questioned
by representatives Of the allies who would have
the right to detain him il they saw fit.