New-York tribune., 1918-06-24
Socialists Raked
In British Labor
Chiefs Manifesto
"lncessant Sniping by An.
ti-National Factionists"
Brings Warning

LONDON, June %. - Eight labor
members of the British government
have issued manifesto in which they
refer to the unprecedented influence
exercised by labor in the councils of
the nation since the war began.
The men signing the manifesto are
George II. Barnes, Minister without
portfolio in the War Cabinet; John
Hodge, Minister of Pensions; G. H.
Roberts, Minister of Labor; William
Brace, Parliamentary Under Secretary
for Home Affairs; John r. Clynes,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Food
Ministry; Stephen Walsh, Parliamen-
tary Secretary to the Local Govern
ment Board; George ]. Wardle, Parlia-
mentary Secretary to the Board of
Trade, and James Parker.
The labor leaders say they have
some times had to vote in opposition
to their own inclinations, but that this
is a condition of coalition government,
and their colleagues, belonging to
other parties, likewise have done so,
because all have sunk their personal
and party predictions.
Nevertheless, the manifesto says, in
the course of the last three years
greater measures Of democratic re-
form have been passed than in any
previous time in the history of the
country. All this, it is pointed out,
has been brought about by cessation
Of political strife and the coming to-
gether of the political parties in the
common cause.
The labor leaders, however, say their
position has been made difficult by
"incessant sniping on the part of anti
national factionists. who have assumed
the right to SPEAK for labor and are
trying to divide the nation into war
ring political sections"
They therefore say they desire to
utter word of warning because upon
the people Of this country depends
very largely the future freedom Of the
world" The manifesto continues:
"Our sea power and our great min
eral and financial resources, as we'll as
the bravery Of our men in the field,
have played and must continue to play
decisive part in the maintenance of
the struggle against German aggrcs-
sion.
ut therefore manifestly is of su-
preme Importance that national unity
be maintained. Even the appearance
of weakness would leave most dis
astrous effect on our Allies. Russia
in the course Of the last sixteen
months has furnished an illustration
of the evils with which we are threat
ened. Notwithstanding that she sue
ceeded in throwing off the rule of the
Emperor, she since has fallen victim to
the Vaccinations of the common
enemy.
"Her people now find themselves in
state of physical starvation and re-
duced to an unparalleled depth of
degradation and helplessness. We hone
that in the near future they again
will be able to help in the common
cause; but in the meantime it must
sorrowfully be recorded that they are
being exploited by Germany and Tur.
key in the interests of militarism.
Consequently an enormous addi-
tional burden has been thrown upon
ourselves and our remaining Allies
America, fortunately, is mobilizing her
forces and will in time redress the
balance.
"In the meantime it is more than
ever necessary to set our faces firmly
against disintegrating influences anc
to renew our resolve to be faithful to
our trust and loyal to those who have
suffered for us on land and sea-"
The "anti-national factionists" re.
ferred to in the manifesto appear t.
be the Socialists, who, in England. as