New-York tribune., 1918-03-10

have learned that when peoples go to war
they want to know the views not only of
militarists but of paciists. Mr. Macdonald,
with Sidney Webb and Philip Snowden,
played big part in the drafting Of the
Labor party's war aims.
The Snowdcns
Philip Snowden is a near neighbor He is
badly crippled and moves about with the
greatest difficulty. At the subway station
where he takes the train to SO to the House
CT Commons some chalked on the fence
Down with Snowden, the Paciist!" 1t re-
mained there for many weeks, but late in
December 1917, it was erased Mrs Snow
den, who takes part in labor and socialist
affairs almost equal to that of her nus
band, is an invaluable aid to him. Though
burdened with household duties, she goes
to many places he is unable to attend be-
cause of his infrmity; she helps him in his
research work, but her greatest value is in
curbing his tendency to take sour, bitter
attitude toward everything with which he is
not in agreement. During the Mr..
Snowden has made speeches which would
have landed him in prison or in front Of
firing squad if he had lived in Germany,
but he has labor's confidence to-day because
labor considers him absolutely honest.
W. c. Anderson, NJ P, is another Scots
man who wields Aig influence in labor cir
cles. | intervie iewed him for the first time
Immediately following President Wilson'S
offer Of his services to bring peace to
Europe In those days there was lot of
disappointment in Britain over Americas
attitude toward the war. and the charge of
"Americas greed for the almighty dollar"
was frequently heard. But in Mr. Anderson
I found warm friend Of America and of
President Wilson. In no sense was he
cassed as a pacifst "weak -knced patri-
ot." He took moderate course, fought for
recognition of labor at every turn and still
maintained the respect Of all parties in the
House of Commons. His wife, Mary Mac
Arthur, is perhaps even better known as a
labor worker. At the Nottingham confer
ence he repeated his frequent warning that
labor intended to fight out many great issues
after the war, and that it was preparnr for
the political future.
If Britain has a labor government, which
many experts consider one of the possibili-
ties OF the near future, there will undoubt-
edly be place in it for w. C. Pringle, NJ. P.
comparatively young Scotsman, who is fast
making a record as a keen thinker and a
torceful speaker on all labor subjects. 7
have heard that he has been invited on
several occasions to accept place in the
George government.
A Fiery Veteran
Though not member of the House of
Commons, George Lansbury the veteran edi-
tor Of "The Labor Herald" rivals many of
the Labor NJ. P.'s in his popularity among the
working classes. Mr.. Lansburv is an ex-
treme radical. almost Bolshcvik-but he
breaches brotherly love, worldwide peace
and tolerance toward all. lie is a powerful
writer, fearless editor and a generous
friend. To an unbiased Judge it would seem
that DaNcr frcoupotlv Oycrct,to. ~.
case against the government and credits the
enemy with virtues he does not possess Its
attacks on capital are often so violent they
lose whatever effect they might have if
framed in a more temperate tone But Mr..
Lansbury is a good patriot, a good Briton
and an honest advocate for the masses, who
often show real love for him. The British
workingman is mighty fair; he loves to talk.
debate and argue violently, but he is slow
to anger. I have heard street arguments
which | expected. according to New York
standards, to result in immediate fist fights.
! but have yet to two workinCmen come
to blows. Mr. Lansbury knows the British
workingman and he is giving of his best
to help him reach higher level in tho
social scale.
No class in Britain has changed moro
since August, 1914, than the working people.
! Their wages have jumped to unespcrte e6
heights; they have altered their stvlr of
living; they have obtained concessions no
one anticipated; they have performed mir
acles in the workshops and done herc;c
service on the battlcfeld; thev have rn;paa
confidence in themselves and lost much ~
their subservient attitude toward the middle
and upper classes. But they are not sat;.
fled and probably will not be until the ,ybnl.
social structure Of Britain is revolution;zea