The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-17
SOCIALISTS SPLIT
ON COMPRESS VISIT
British Trade Federation
Wants No Enemy Delegates
at Meeting. .~>
Special Cabls Despdfch to THE SuN.
Copvviohf. 1913. all riohfs r,seyr.d

LONDON, Aug. '16.-The announcement
Of the coming Of President Gompers and
a delegation from the American Fedora
tton Of Labor to attend the inter-allied
council in September has served to re-
veal a cleavage between the Socialist
labor elements headed by Arthur Hem
derson and G. w. Bowerman and the
British general Federation OF Trades
Unions, whose spokesman Is w. A, APP
pleton.
In connection with Havelock Wilson,
who extended the invitation to Gompers,
Appleton and his organisation have OPP
posed the suggestion for meeting the
German and Austrian Socialists at any
international gathering. while Hender-
son and his followers have consistently
insisted that such a meeting, with the
enemy Socialist delegates included.
would be productive of much good In
clearing the way for the coming together
or the belligerent Powers in an attempt
to arrange a basis for peace.
The Daily Ne1us says: Efforts are be-
ing made in quarters hostile to labor
unity to restrict the scope and purpose
or Gompers's visit. 1t being stated that
the American delegation may not be
able to attend the conference called by
conference In Paris two days earlier is
likely to prove, more attractive to them
The Paris conference, It is stated, is be-
Ing convened by Jousaux. Secretary of
the French Genera Confederation of
Labor. in conjunction with Appleton"
The Daily NcWs article intimates that
Appleton is antagonistic toward the
Henderson, owerman policy of irving
to confer with enemy labor. Appleton,
who Is an old friend OF Gompers, is an
out and out champion OF winning the
war without any dealings with the
enemy. In statement he SAYS:
FOLLOWING an invitation sent by
Havelock Wilson and myself. and also
an invitation signed by officials and
members of the trade unions of Great
Britain on August :, Gompers cabled
JoueauX and myself In identical terms
accepting our invitation.
Later Boweyman informed me the
Parliamentary committee had decided IN
act on Its own initiative and to call a
conference OF It's own in September. to
which Gompers and the American dele
gates were invited.
The only person empowered to call
n conference OF the International Trade
Union Federation is Jousaux. He in
formed me Gompers had cabled an
nouncing his visit to Europe and ask
ing for conference of trade unionists
OF all allied countries. He said the
French confederation had accepted. but
desired that the meeting be held in
Paris. In difference TO this desire the
British federation, desiring TO avoid
friction, acceded to the suggestion that
the meeting be held in Paris. subject to
the Endorsement of Gompers.
"A Joint. friendly arrangement be-
tween all trade un!onists OF allied coun-
tries was easily possible, and was de-
sired by the General Federation OF
Trade Unions, But such an arrange
ment did not seem to meet with the
approval OF those who wish to organize
gigantic conference in London with
the view TO persuadng the American
delegates that the working people of
this and other allied countries are out
to accept German peace
AS 10 the statement which appeared
in several London newspapers that
Gompers had asked for a labor and So
ciallstic conference, Appleton has sent
copies OF despatch from New York
stating Gompers had issued a denial o,
such report and insisting that So
cialism have no place In the delibera-
tions Of the American delegates