New-York tribune., 1918-03-29
British Socialists
Seek Creation of
New World arty
They Appeal to Spargo,
Stokes and Followers in
Allied Nations

Blaming the anti-war elements in the
Socialist party for encouraging Rus
sla to quit fighting, thus enabling Ger
many to conduct its present offensive
against the Allies in France British
socialists have sent out world wide
appeal for the creation of new in
ternational party, from which will be
excluded German and Austrian dele
gates ana pro- German delegates from
all countries.
The appeal has been sent to So
cialists in France, Belgium, Italy and
the United States. The one sent here
was addressed to the Social Democratic
League, headed by John Spargo.
Charles Edward Russell, j. G. Phelps
Stokes, William English Walling, Up
ton Sinclair, Henry L. Slobodin and
others who broke away from the So
claist party because of it's anti-war
policy. The elements led by Morris
Hillquit and Victor l.. Berger. who
have been avowedly antagonis istc to
Americas participation in the war,
were ignored.
Teutons Dominate Party
Mr.. Spargo, chairman of the Social
Democratic League. 5 East Fortieth
Street, yesterday made public corrc-
spondence exchanged with the British
Socialists. During the intervals be-
crosses, which are held every four
years, the international party is main
tanned through q bureau in Holland,
which is supported by assessments
from the various national parties
At present the national parties in
Germany and AUSTRIA Hungary have.
as heretofore. a dominating voice.
The appeal from j. C. Webster and
W. A. Woodroffe, secretaries Of the
British party. asked the Social Demo
cratic League to join in plan for an
internati al party which would eX-
clude 81 German and Austrian inhu-
ence.
Mr. spargo and Mr.. Stokes replied
that the Germans and Austrians
should, if possible, be fought out Of
the party without the creation Of a
new one. The reply says:
Some of US have long recognized
that the German domination of the So
cialist international was its greatest
weakness, even before the war AS you
remind us, Adler. of Vienna, has al
ready served notice that the German
Austrian group is determined to main
tain its domination after the war SO
far as we are concerned, such a con-
dltlOn would be lnt0lerablc, and we
should prefer to join with others in
the creation of a new and rival in
ternation rather than to submit to that
kind OF domination. At this time,
however, we are not convinced of the
necessity of this course.
Condemns Party Here
Mr.. Spargo was Informed yesterday
that the Socialists. headed by Mr.. Hill
quit, were now holding conferences
with a view to modifying their anti
war platform adopted at st. Louis last
summer.
'lf the party comes out now in sup
port of Americas participation in the
war, will it have the effect of solidify-
ing the various factions?" Mr.. Spargo
was asked
II have heard that the Socialist party
is now trying to modify its position" ;"
he said. "But it will not come out
squarely in support of the government.
and if it did, its action would be too
late. The party is now discredited be-
yond all remedy. 1t encouraged Trotzky
and Lenine to quit fighting They did
quit. The result is the present German
offensive in France. | think the bottom
is fast falling out of the Socialist party
as 1t is now organized in this country