New-York tribune., 1918-01-12

The British Labor party has adopted new
constitution which aims not only to give the
party larger influence in the internal af-
fairs of England, but also to permit it a
voice in shaping the nations foreign policy.
Both objects are the logical development Of
the increased political Importance Of the
Labor party due to the war. 1t was revolu-
tionary in the history of British labor as a
political entity when the party allowed its
representatives to enter the Cabinet For
merly its political and Parliamentary activi-
ties had been confined strictly to matters
dealing with labor as a separate class set
apart from the rest Of tho nation, and the
Labor party's combinations with other parties
in Parliament had been only in the nature
of bargains to secure tho advancement of
labor legislation. Under the new party con-
sttution its political activities will be gen.
eral, instead Of being confined to special
class, and it will have a foreign policy as
we'll AS a consequence of the policy
the party will now admit women members
and will admit individual members, instead
of the old method of only taking in local
labor unions as bodies.
Arthur Henderson, who has been called
the Labor Premier, writing to "The Man
chester Guardian" explains the evolution of
the British Labor party. He says
"Thc proposed development of the Labor
party from sectional organization to a ma
tional movement has been alluded to as an
innovation,' but in actual fact it is simply
the inevitable result of natural evolution
hastened by the tremendous changes arising
from the great World War During the past
four years the whole Of national and ind-
vidua life has been dominated by the world
crisis, and great havoc has been wrought to
our national institutions, national ideals
and ideas, and to our individual rights and
customs. Everything has been brought to the
touchstone of the and its successful con-
cluson and many sacrifices have been de-
manded in its name from the people as a
nation and as individuals. Some of these
sacrifices have been necessary, others merely
expedient and IN some cases they have been
altogether unwarranted.
After the War
"The majority of the people know only too
we'll that the period Of reconstruction after
the war will he of farreaching impor-
tance to the future of the nation. They real
ize that the whole structure of national
life will have to be rebuilt, and that the
task. if it is to be executed on right and
proper lines, will call for all the best quail
tleS OIL IeaI StateSmanSnlp. lie great prop
lens of political, social and
ndustrialwill have to be faced boldly and
courageously; audacous and perhaps novel
methods of treatment will be required -
practical measures inspired by great human
ideals, not temporary amelioratiOns dictated
by cxpedlency, or compromises seeking to
serve or safeguard selfish interests The
minds Of the people have undergone revo-
lutionary changes, and they are determined
that the will of the people, so long an
empty phrase of the political club, shall have
a real significance in national affairs. The
old craftsmanship has failed, and the people
seek craftsmanship. The old parties
have failed, and the people seek new party.