The Washington herald., 1917-08-11
British Labor and the Stockholm
Conference.

SS1AA ~ Na<Ss
BY an overwhelming vote the British
Labor party has voted In favor of
representation at the Stockholm con-
ference. In the face OF the opposition
OF Lloyd George and the other lead
ers Of the government. The first feel
ing in the United States over this ac-
ton has been one Of almost CHASTITY
surprise. as IL the British trades union
ist had suddenly fallen dupe to pro-
German intrigue. and as IL he was
dealing the cause OF civilization a
serious blow.
The fact is that the British General
Federation OF Trades Unions by this
action is doing more to save Russia
to the allies than any move that has
been made in the entente nations since
the Gar was overthrown. There is
promise OF the greatest possible good
through a frank. free conference with
the delegates of the Russian Council
Of Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates.
affording a scope for an inventory OF
the cause of the people as it stands
today in all belligerent nations-as
distinguished from the cause Of the
governments that rule the people.
These laborites are not blind, obtuse,
or merely war-weary. despite efforts
to make them appear as such; they
know exactly what they are about.
and their governments do also.
Why does the British government
oppose British representation at the
Stockholm conference? Because it
knows that an international canvass
oS labor's cause is bound to affect pro-
foundly every government in Europe.
1t fears the power that is bound to
flow to labor as the result of this
hideous war. 1t fears the new re-
sources Of self-assertion, of power,
which labor in all countries is going
to grasp in the near future. 1t also
fears that the laboring interest may
fall prey to the easy, slipshod mo
annexations and no indemnities" for
mula devised by the Russians, and 1t
is quite likely that this fear is well
grounded. But the Stockholm con-
ference will clear the air of much
fallacy, Of much German fraud and
pretense. and of much of the sur
face peace talk that is going the
rounds today.
II will show the Russians clearly
that the allies are not fighting for 4
cause of Imperialism or conquest, and
it will show the German working
classes, now ground under the heel OF
autocracy. that their imperial. mas
ters have misled them. that there is
no league Of nations seeking 10
crush" the German people. Imper-
fectly is it understood in the United
States, and in some Of the entente ma
tions. that the feTment in Russia is
having a mighty influence in Ger
many, and that the organized work.
ing classes Of Britain and France
and of the United States-pOssess in
finite resources for stimulating that
ferment.
As for American trade unionism, Mr..
Gompors viii have none of the Stock
holm conference. This is a reflection
Of the universal opinion here that the
affair is merely an offshoot of Prus-
sian peace scheming. There is no
denying the fact that the course of
the British Labor party has its dam
ger as well as its promise, but in de-
Gliding to go to Stockholm the Brit
ish working classes are showing con-
ndence in their own power, their own
initiative, their own Judgment and
capacity of taking care of themselves,
which bodies well for the cause of
democracy" for which the allies are
lighting.