New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12
Sudden Shift in Attitude
Toward Stockholm Par
ley Denounced
Withheld Message
From Petrograd
Bad Faith Charged by
Lloyd George-Parnes
May Succeed

LONDON, Aug. 1.-THE course Of Ar
thur Henderson in advising yesterdays
conference Of the Labor party to send
a representative to the Stockholm con-
ference has been followed quickly by
the tender of his resignation as a mem
Der of the War Cabinet, which consti-
tutes the inner council OF the govern
ment, and the prompt acceptance OF
the resignation by the Premier.
Premier Lloyd George wrote Mr..
Henderson a scathing letter OF accept
ance, in which he practically accuses
Mr.. Henderson of bad faith and du-
plicity in his dealings both with his
Cabinet colleagues and with the La
borites, and promptly gave the letter
to the newspapers. The Premier there
by created a situation which puts Mr..
Henderson on the defensive and which
may cause the Laborites to retract
their decision to send delegates to con-
fer with Germans, Russians and neu-
trails at the Swedish capital.
Parnes May Succeed
George Nicoll Parnes. Minister Of
Pensions, who has attended the meet
ings Of the War Cabinet since Hender-
son started on his mission to Russia,
probably will succeed as Labor repre-
sentative in the War Cabinet. Ths
press agencies say that the other Labor
ministers in the government unani-
mously opposed Mr.. Henderson's course,
and that Labor's support Of the govern
ment Is not likely to be affected by his
resignation.
The letter Of the Premier makes it
plain that the Cabinet is opposed to the
Stockholm meeting, and also that the
present Russian Provisional Govern
ment is lukewarm. il not opposed alto
gether. The gist Of Premier Lloyd
Georges letter is that Mr.. Henderson
gave the Cabinet the impression that
he agreed with them.
They expected him TO advise the
Labor party against the conference, and
were greatly surprised by his change
OF front They also expected him TO
read Premier Kerensky's message re-
garding Stockholm, but he suppressed
it, and by so doing misled the Labor
ties into taking course which they
thought the Russians desired.
Important labor societies already are
arrayed against the verdict of the
party yesterday, and it may be re-
yersed by a referendum or general
consent, or, failing such action, it is
wholly possible that the government
may act with France in refusing pass
ports to Stockholm.
Public Is Astonished
The whole incident is mystifying.
Mr.. Henderson's reputation has been
that of a most straightforward man,
one Of the last OF whom the public
would expect shifty diplomacy or dou-
BILE dealing, and an honest misunder-
tanding on his part may be the real
explanation.
Mr.. Henderson returned recently
from Russia with the conviction that
the Russians were. strong for the
Stockholm conference and that the
British should meet their wishes. He
has taken no part in War Cabinet de-
liberations since his return, being abb
sorbed in the labor partys business,
but he has been generally regarded as
a sort of governmental ambassador to
labor and as the government spokes-
man on labor matters.
"The Saturday Review says that
the government sent Mr.. Henderson 10
Petrograd with the intention of max
ing him Ambassador TO Russia II 1t ap-
peared that laborite would be moro
acceptable TO the revolutionary govern
ment than Ambassador Buchanan,
whose previous position as Ambassador
to the Imperial Court might have
prejudiced the revolutionary party
against him.
The Premier tonight made public
Henderson's letter Of resignation and
his acceptance, both dated to-day. Mr..
Henderson's letter follows:
Dear Prime Minister: At our in
terview last night gathered you he
reached the conclusion that my rete
tion Of the sccretaryship to the Lab
party was no longer compatible W
my membership In the War Cabin
Recent experiences have impressed n
with the embarrassing complication
arising from this duality Of Office.
those circumstances, therefore, I deem
it advisable to ask you TO release ms
from further membership in your gov.
ernment. continue TO share your de.
sire that the war should be carried to q
successful eonelusion. and I trust that
In q nen-govsrnlnsnt eapaeity Z may