The sun., 1917-08-11

ENuoKIhus
LONDON. Aug. 1o.-Amid a great up
roar, punctuated here and there by per-
sonal encounters among the 600 dele
gates. the conference OF the British La
Dor party at Westminster to-day voted
1,O46,OOO to $4,000 to attend the Stock
holm Socialist Conference, completely re-
versing the policy to which the party
committed Itself at Its recent convention.
Among those who came to blows while
the motion was under discussion were
James Ramsay Macdonald, former
chairman Of the Labor party. and Will
lam Thorn. founder and general secre-
tary of the National Union Of General
Workers Both are members OF Parlia-
ment One delegate was elected from
the hall
The reversal in the attitude OF the
Labor party was caused by a change in
the plans of the Socialists. who decided
to make the Stockholm conference
merely consultative. for the presentation
Of views, instead of attempting to frame
peace terms or a platform for the inter-
national Socialists.
Despite the overwhelming vote in
favor OF participation in the Stockholm
meeting, II is not certain that the dele
gates will 60 TO the Swedish capital
Members OF the Seamen's Union asserted
to-day that the question OF British par
ticipation was, after all, under their
control. This union might prevent the
delegates from sailing by refusing to
man ships. as they did when J. Ramsay
MacDonald's party attempted some time
ago 10 leave the country TO visit Russia
end Stockholm.
strike Mt MiIitarism.
William Purdy, chairman of the Labor
party. presided and opened the confer
ence by saying:
THE labor movement has given its
best TO insure to the EnteSte Allies
decisive victory over militarism, which
has shown itself brutal in application
and determined TO extinguish all ideals
OF democracy and liberty.
'Labors infleXible resolution is to see
justice done and reparation made. and
that still is the determination OF the
great masses OF the industrial classes Of
the country and the colonies.
NO peace will be satisfactory unless
il guarantees complete freedom from the
aggression OF militarism.
our Russian comrades need all the
sympathy the Labor party here can give
lntHls anu lHtTt IL no question Oh a
separate peace. We must stand shoulder
to shoulder until a righteous peace is
obtained. We are sure our Russian COM
rades a re not going TO exchange hard
won freedom for sham one under the
heel of Pruss.an militarism.
The invitation TO attend the stock
holm conference deserves careful con-
sideration. as the decision called for is
probably the most important in the his
tory of the labor movement"
Arthur Henderson, Labor member of
the British War Council. who was
cheered when he rose 10 speak before
the vote was taken. said:
II address the conference with a deep
sense OF my own responsibility. II must
be borne in mind that the situation In
Russia is constantly changing Other
wise injustice will be done 10 the merits
OF the case. Before went TO Russia
opposed the holding OF an ordinary con-
ference. On my arrival in Petrograd.
however, / met the executives OF the
Council OF Workmens and Soldiers
Delegates and in view OF the condition
OF public opinion I int.mated TO them
that II they were prepared TO change the
conference from an obligatory TO a con-
sultative one ] would recommend that
the British labor movement reverse its
previous decision and make consulta-
tion possible. That position ! maintain.
Not UhderstoOd by Russia.
THE Russians wanted a binding con-
ference 10 actually discuss peace terms.
] made II clear that II our representa-
tives participated there could be no
question OF negotiating terms Our case
is not properly understood in Russia TO
this day, and TO have refused point blank
to consider the question would have done
incalculable harm. The Russians still
insist upon a binding conference. Brit
ish labor would he placed In a most dam
gerous position by sending delegates 10
such a meeting.
81 still favor a consultative confer
ence with a proper safeguard. ] leave
the decision as to that to the conference,
but II should be settled from the stand
point OF national interests and not of
party
81 made IL clear to the Russians that
only Governments could negotiate terms
However. seeing that a conference was
inevitable, ! concluded that II would he
inadvisable. perhaps dangerous, for the
Russians to meet enemy and neutral
representatives alone recommend
that the British attend. provided condi-
tions satisfactory TO US are arranged.
-Such a conference might be produc-
tive Of much good. frank statement
probably would provide the German
minority Socialists with important facts
hitherto withheld from the German peo-
ple."
The conference after listening 10 Mr.
Henderson adjourned, the delegates
leaving TO discuss his speech among
themselves and returning later in the a T.
ternoon to vote on the question OF send
ing delegates 10 Stockholm.
Several Russian representatives at
tended the meeting.
The overwhelming character OF the
majority for sending a delegation to
Stockholm was a complete surprise even
TO the executive OF the conference and
showed the strong influence Mr.. Hen
derson's Views had on the delegates,
especially the miners majority. which