Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-11
BRITISH LABOR PARTY
DECIDES TO SEND
STOCKHOLM DELEGATES

London. Aug. 1o.-The conference
Of the British Labor party held
at Westminster today voted to
sent delegates to the Stockholm con-
ference by 1,o4s,ooo to $780, The confer
erce was in an uproar, which ended only
when the result Of the card vote was an
nounced.
I Privy Councillor James H. Thomas. La
Dor member of Parliament for Derby and
assistant general secretary Of the Anal
gamated Society of Railway Servants.
wa. booed and cheered when he tried to
address the conference. The disorders re-
suited in one delegate being elected from
the hall
: Before the vote was taken James Ram
say Macdonald, Socialist and Labor MEM
Der of Parliament and ex-chairman Of the
Labor party, made a vigorous plea to the
delegates TO bury the past go to Stock
holm, lay your case before the conference.
hear that others discuss matters general
" and return with the basis of peace in
your pockets"
What we want from the democracies
of Europe" Mr. Macdonald added, lis
clear statement of their aims"
These words brought forth roars Of
cheering.
Arthur Henderson. Labor member Of
the British war council, was cheered
when he rose to speak before the vote
was taken.
Amendment Was Defeated
The resolution was carried after an
amendment by the dock workers oppos-
ing it had been defeated by a vote of 391,-
600 to goo. When the vote on the
resolution was announced a delegate
shouted that, no matter what the conver-
ton did. the F'iremens and Seamen's
Union would see to e that the delegates
would never reach Stockholm.
Members of the Seamen's Union as
serted today that the question Of British
participation was. after all, under their
control. This union might prevent the
delegates from sailing by refusing to man
ships.
G. y. Barnes, minister Of pensions,
spoke in favor of the dock workers and
against sending a conference, stating that
the United States, Belgium, France and
Italy were not sending delegates and that
II delegates from Great Britain were sent
they would be negotiating with Russians,
Germans, Dutch and Scandinavians.
George Henry Roberts. Labor member
of the Parliament for Norwich made a
strong fighting speech against delegates
going to Stockholm.
The chairman of the convention prom
,sed to give consideration to sugges-
ton made by Robert Smile that now
the resolution had been carried the exec
utive committee should approach the
American and Belgian laborites and per-
suade them to send delegates to Stock
holm.
The decision OF the laborites to send
representatives to Stockholm is a reversal
of the policy to which the party commit
ted itself at it's recent convention. the
changed attitude was due to AZ alteration
Of the plans of the Socialists by which
the conference will be merely consulta-
ton gathering instead Of one for framins
neace terms or platform Of the inter
national Socialists on war questions. Rus-
sian influence has been an important FAC
tor in the British decision.
The Belgian end Italian Socialists have
resolved not to attend the international
Socialist conference at Stockholm, &C
cordine to dispatch from the Swedish
capital to the Exchange Telegraph Co