The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-24
LABOR CONFERENCE
OBJECT OF CONCERN
British workingmen, Overwhelmingly
Loyal, Yet Have Among Them
Some Disturbing Elements.
MANIFESTO IS ISSUED
Experience of Russia Cited as Show
ing What Happens When People
Fail TO Stick Together I'm Face OF
Enemy.

London. June 2s.-The views OF
Prs6nt Wilson will be the dominat-
ing factor in any war and peace de-
velopments at the labor meeting be-
ginning Wednesday of this week. De-
spite this. however. the gathering
will be watched with some concern
by the government,
Eighty per cent of the party UNI
reservediy favor a war by victory
while a small minority. while loyal is
inclined to make criticism OF the
methods and conduct Of the war.
AS their starting point the minority
Will demand restatement Of war
aims.
The vast majority Of the laborites
accept President wilson's messages
and speeches as coming from man
who is square and who is seeking
nothing. These men have been in
spired to any war sacrifices by Presi-
dent Wilson and the recent mission
sent abroad by the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
The minority. Including many dis
trict leaders. have been Influenced by
the propa Randa for union and demo-
F. Morrell and which attacked the
government on many counts
If the meeting shows signs of
breaking over the traces and striking
note of peace demonstration 10
likely and Premier Lloyd George may
ask permission TO say few words.
His speech undoubtedly would rout
the indictments and result In an over
whelmiRs vote Of confidence in the
way the government is conducting
the war.
Significant OF the danger which lies
in IN situation is a manifesto printed
today signed by the labor members
Of the government. pointing to the
supreme Importance of national unity.
Even the appearance of weakness
and division" the manifesto says,
would have disastrous effect on our
allies.
Russia In the last sixteen months
furnished An illustration OF the evils
with which we are threatened,
Notwithstanding she succeeded in
throw wing off the abso1utist rule of the
car. she since has fallen victim to
the Vaccinations of the enemy"
The manifesto then points out that
until America is able to redress the
balance II is more than ever necessary
for every one TO set their faces against
disintegrating Influences
Among the sisners of the docume nt
are O. w. Barnes. member OF the war
cabinet: G. H Roberts. minister OF
labor, and J, II. Clynea. acting food
controller.
Whether or not Morrelrs organiza-
ton has captured the party machine
through controlling most OF the dis
trict trade union heads will only de-
velop when the meeting opens
The Weekly Dispatch said today
that the sturdy trade unionism is tired
of Arthur Henderson and his clique
and their lip service to win the war
and the determination to place peace
by negotiation and internationaiism at
the forefront of the program.
The American delegates 10 the la Dor
meeting, the paper declares. Will ex-
press plainly their opinion They are
disguised. II is said. with the attempts
to open negotiations with enemy So
cialists
Minister of Labor Roberts spoke to-
night at the Palace theater where an
entertainment was held for men and
women in the American army and
navy service.