Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-16
British Labor Edict
BlOlU to Importation,


that people of all countries may live
their Own lives and seek out their own
salvation; and unless this has been ac-
complished by the German people them
selvee the Allied democracies in this
struggle must crush miiitarism and au-
tocracy and bring a new freedom to the
whole world. the people Of Germany in.
cluded. Until these essentials are &C.
cofnplished an international labor con.
ference with the representatives of the
workers Of ell countries. Germany in.
cluded. is prejudicial to a lasting peace. "
With military domination In Germany
certain. carrying with II. as II will, Sc
we're repressive measures against all lib
erals, especially the labor leaders who
have advocated persisteptly and consist
emily peace without anne nations or
indemnities, the British labor policy was
announced at this time equally for the
effect IT will have In Russia and Ger.
many. IT Is not expected that II will be
published In Germany or even referred
to there. But It is certain to be printed
very fully in Sweden. where the labor
movement is very strong. and in all of
the neutral countries adjacent to Ger
many. And the effect will be felt as the
military stranglehold on German lib
erallsm is frightened.
Another element that the British policy
must influence Is that which has been
opposing Britain because Of the Irish
situation. The British labor announce
ment Is expected to bring from it's Gov.
ernment very shortly an announcement
that Irish self-sovernment is to be conf
plete. This will remove an agitation
which has been very beneficial to the
German cause in Great Britain and the
United States. in the opinion OF officials
who are closely watching the situation.
IMPERIALISM ABANDONED
Administration officials, made II very
plain that In their opinion the British,
labor announcement must take a most
prominent place In the present general
war aims discussion. British labor has
been discontented because of the belief
that a certain element In the Govern
ment was favorable TO territorial con-
quest in the war. The friction between
the Government and organized labor has
been very great at times and an open
break has been averted on occasion by
the scantiest Of margins.
The fact that the declaration was made
with the sanction Of the Government con.
clusively shows. officials pointed out
that IL further imperialistic ideas were
held by any British Official. they now
have been definitely abandoned. And
British labor as represented In yester
days statement. and American labor al
represented In Samuel Gompers's cable
gram, has made plain TO Germany's labo
hosts that militarism and autocrac,
alone are responsible for the continua
tion Of the war. II Is this fact. officlal
said. that leads them to the hope tina
when the military dictatorship has oeel
tried in Germany, as seems inevitable
and fails, as also seems certain. German
workers will force peace en- demo
cratic lines. That Is the sole reason
officials say, that the British labor ap
peal was wound up In the following
language:
peoples of Central Europe: ThiI
catastrophe of the hum IN race. this fata
schism in the civilized world, can onl,
be ended by the defeat Of tnilitarisn
on both sides and by the victory OF
both sides Of moral and intellectual fail
dealing. II the world Is to be saved
Il must be saved by good faith ant
reciprocity on the part OF all. Do no
fail us now. DO not let your Govern
ments drive the British people as the,
are driving the Russian people into tn,
terrible choice between continuing th,
war and Abandoning the only principle,
that can save the world. II this choic'
e forced upon ". We ehail choose q
/ Russia chooees We shall continue. bu
,he reanpnn!bin(g w - noarnr