New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-09
Signs of Governments
Weakness Encourage
the Masses
Press Is Breaking
Censorship Bonds
Furious Controversy Over
Stockholm Conference
Smashes Barriers
By Arthur S. Draper
fstar Corr.spmdeneel

have tried TO show that Europe is
undergoing profound change, and that
there is danger that America will not
sppreeiate the situation until il is too
late. 1t is now possible TO develop this
statement by giving testimony from the
British press.
All through the war the British press
has been divided into two camps-the
Liberal-Tory and the Moderate-Ex-
tremists. Both are patriotic, but they
differ widely in their views. Both are
equally anxious to win the war, but
they have disagreed ss to what consti-
tuted victory and what methods were
necessary to obtain their aims. The
American press, unfettered by censor
ship, knows little of the difficulties
under which the British press has
lsbored during the war. At no period
during the war has the British press
published so frank a review of the con-
fict as was circulated from Washington
on July 25 by The Associated Press.
Even to-day's Times" after three
years Of the war, criticises sharply the
British censorship, saying;
There is just as little cohesion or
intelligent grasp Of the great problem
as there was at the beginning of the
war" But within the last two months
the moderate British journals. those
which are supposed to cater 70 the bulk
Of the population, have shown greater
Independence and freedom of action.
Two things are responsible for the
change first, the growing unrest Of the
country and the demand on the part OF
the people for fuller information, and,
second, signs of weakening on the part
Of the government, as shown by the
great number of concessions il has been
forced 10 make to the masses-the in
creased brewing of beer, the radical re-
vision of examination for discharged
and prospective soldiers, the reduction
Of the price of bread and a host of
other things.
Further Concessions Demanded
With each concession labor has
strengthened itself; with each conces-
sion the demand for further conces-
sions has increased. AS the masses as
sert themselves the moderate class re-
fleets the change in sentiment and
grows correspondingly freer in com
ment. So gradual has been the growth
Of the movement that it is only half
appreciated even here. The furious
controversy over the Stockholm con-
ference has already done good, if for no
other reason than that IL is breaking
down the barriers which surrounded
British newspaper thought and inde-
pendence.
Says "The Manchester Guardian:
The Russian Socialists have set their
hearts upon this conference, and il is
to be remembered that there are a
great many of them and that their SYM
PATTY can make things a great deal
easier for US in this way, and that we
therefore have much TO hope for from
them"
The Guardians" second reason for
Importing the conferences is: "We
DON'T like the idea of the Russians
meeting the Germans alone" and third,
We must consider what the effect
would be on the German Socialists II
se refused 20 attend. We can under
stand the attitude-indeed, we sym
pathiLe with it-of the man 70 whom
tce bare idea Of meeting Germans as
nings are is distasteful. But in politics
We have 70 think not only of what we
hse 70 be doing, but also of what it is
wise 70 do.
Ihe German government was more
frightened by the Russian revolution
man anything else In the war, except
sn Allied offensive on the West front
German Influence Feared
says Alexander Thompson, the Petro-
Nsils: pO''1'''
As ! urged in my cables from Stock
ao.n II the sblest representatives OF
az Iorr Western democracies withhold
AsI astute case the Germans will
-ieio unchecked sway over the Russian
"agmental impressionability.
ne absence Of our men means a
sikoyer for the Germans. The Bel
gan french, British and American rep
e~ntatives must bring home 70 the
a-sslan understanding President Will
Dht dietun that the whole matter re-
cyFes itself into question whether
Vs'many shall establish a dictatorship
ger al democracy, or whether civil
etsnon and democracy shall emsncipate
ne Westminster Gazette" asks
nhat Britain has % fear from the state
.aasht mat u rs an open conference. To
~. - me Morning Post" one Of the
'-ssnsne,t .s,e,t Tories, replies:
Iiftt, there are. abundant oppor-
-hlNst for stating this country's case
m al necessary foTeefulness with
~ ealing an international peace con-
.tIffnes al Stockholm. From that point
~ TeN, the means proposed are re-
sLneAnt But they are also charged
@ @n inesleulsbie mischief. Why Be-
ots y ~ impossible 20 agree 20 take
ysIs IN a psscs conference Of any kind
Aos, raising expectations which
Pointed.
~ y impossible that such a confer
re should be held without detriment.
~ ssna mat is why the holding Of a con-
tishee ~ being 80 eagerly promoted
~ persons o. the Ramsay Macdonald
chsy--by those who, In Lloyd
.1ifss phrsse, are more concerned
- me ending Of the wsr than the win
s 81 They hope for one pf two
sssi pisssnslon among The Allies or
apEsa 20 avoid " and althsy