Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-22
LABOR PARTY BECOMES
FACTOR IN GREAT BRITAIN

NOTE-The nottingham conference
Of the Labor Party Of Great Britain
which opens tomorrow will, according
to British writer's give Arthur Hender
son, head Of the Labor Party the
greatest opportunity of his life. In an
effort to learn what Henderson ex.
poets to develop from this opportunity
and what general effect the confer
ence will have on British political af-
IairS, Lowell Mellett, United Press
staff correspondent, recently inter-
viewed the Labor Party leader. Dur
ing the interview which Follows Hen
derson made several startling predic-
t1ons as to the future Of 1.-THE party
of the future. ''-U United Press.
London, Jam, g22.-British writers,
of liberal bent, have written a great
deal in the past several weeks about
the conference of the Labor Party
which opens tomorrow in Nottingham.
Somewhere in the course of most such
articles there has appeared the phrase
|" Arthur Henderson has q great oppor-
tunity before him. +" The United Press
asked the head of the Labor Party to-
day what he expected to develop from
this great opportunity. He answered:
. Resolution.
He spoke in serious manner, his
head down In the pecuil ar bulldog
manner of British fighting politicians,
but he looked up Immediately and
smiled
There's revolution coming, all
right" he explained; but it will be
bloodless affair, entirely political.
Ihe British people are seeking the
means for swift transition from the
cid order OF things to the new, but
they wish it to be smooth as well as
swift. We are recognizing the Labor
Party to make 1T the vehicle for the
change. !.
The reorganization referred to is
that proposed by the national execu-
tive whereby Labor PARTY member
ship will cease to be based exclusively
on affiliation with trades union, but
Will be open to any voter agreeing
with the party 8 program.
When the scheme comes into oper-
alton 1t will provide the people with
the means of effecting a-complete rev
olution in the control of the state
The revolution Will have the thorough
ness the Russian revolution, but
will avoid Russia 8 disasters. The Brit
lish people have learned how to oper-
ate free representative institutions.
They are skilled in the practice OF po-
litical democracy
No people clings more stubbornly
to rooted traditions, is more jealous OF
any Infringement on liberty, or IS
more opposed to any change for the
mere sake of novelty; yet no people
has stronger grasp on the realities of
life or is capable of going SO fast or
so far when the signal moment has ar
rived.
That moment is rapidly approach
ing; the war has stirred the Brltlsn
people TO Its ,deptRSs III mas evoked
new vision OF constructive posslblll-
ties; 1t has revealed essential defects
IN the structure OF society; 1t mas CIV
en- democracy consciousness OF pow
er. Political democracy Wlll nave no pa
t1ence with any party or leader that
seeks to serve the interests or preserve
the privileges OF class against tine
common interests OF all.
The new constitution leaves the
Labor Party sohdly based upon the
organized working class movement.
From the trade unions Whlch are the
malnstay OF the party.the bankers
in fact-nelther their rlght OF repre-
sentatlon nor Their voting power can
be taken away The party does not
Iabandon its original basis as fed
Ieratlon OF soeletles-trade unlohs, So
elahst societies, women g organlza-
tions, trades councils, cooperative So
cletles.
ii