Evening journal., 1918-06-06
HENDERSON DENIES
Peace PLAN Switch
Willing TO Converse, But
Not TO Negotiate With
German Labor
MILITARISM MUST
COME TO END

NONl H. W ElfD
LONDON. June GIVE are willing to
converse, but not to negotiate with
German labor" says Arthur Henderson,
labor leader In the House OF Commons.
In statement referring 10 an announce
nent made by Chester NJ. Wright, a
number Of the American labor mis-
sion that visited England which i'm
piled that the policy Of Mr. Henderson
and his party had been radically modi-
Bed, especially regarding the question
Of a conference between the allied and
German workers.
Mr. Henderson believes that this view
Is likely 10 mlslead the American pub
lie. He emphasizes the fact that the
policy Of the allied workers is not that
Of compromise on any essential issue.
and still less a surrender 10 the mill
taristic and imperiallstic Central Pow
ers. lie says that the allied workers
are just as sternly resolved TO resist
the predatory designs OF the German
militarlst as when Belgium was brut-
ally violated. Nor will they accept a
cynical peace on the basis Of a military
stalemate. he says.
What they want Is a peace OF recon-
riliatiOn and understanding I'm harmony
with the principles Of international JUS
lice and the right Of nations TO deter
mine freely their own destinies. Their
proposals were conceived before the
bnunciation Of President Wilson's four
principles"
THE keystone OF the new interna-
Eional system at which the allied work
ers aimed" says Mr. Henderson, was
a league Of nations, including not only
all the present belligerents, but every
other independent state. Their plan
also means. as President Wilson has re-
peatedly declared, the renunclation OF
any financial and economic boycott OF
Germany.
Regarding the supposed change Of at
.itude on the question Of an interna-
lional conference, we have declined
from the first TO associate ourselves In
my conference organized with a view
10 negotiating peace. on August 10,
19i7. the national executive committee
OF the Labor party submitted the fol-
lowing resolution TO the National Labor
Conference: That invitations TO the in
ternational conference at Stockholm be
accepted on the condition that the con-
ference be consultative and not manda-
tory
From that position there has been
no departure. 10 has been reaflrmed In
the war aims memorandum adopted by
the British Labor Party. Tho sugges-
tion that we seek TO enter a plenary
congress to negotiate a peace over the
heads OF the responsible Governments
Is thus completely disposed or. From
the conditions laid down I'm a memo
randum Of British labor we have not
receded. Upon The conditions laid down
I'm that memorandum, but FOR that pur-
pose and that only, the allied working
class parties desire 90 meet represents
tives OF the working class movement
from the Central Empires.
we seek 20 unite the German people
with us in an effort to overthrow mill
tarism and Imperialism. which IL as
much their enemy as ours. It Is
imperative that the German people
should be made 10 realize in a face 10 |
face talk with representatives OF the !
1--WE demOcracies Of the west that we
will not submit to a German victory /
like that imposed on Russia, Ukraine, |
Rumania and Finland
III we cannot convince them that the |
triumph Of their militsrists and Inn /
perialists will permanently fasten upon /
the democratic nations, not excepting I.
the people Of the Central Empires |
themselves. the awful burden Of arma-
ments and compulsory service there
opens up a vista Of unendng war until
civilization itself colapses.
"rTo whatever reasOn and conscience /
In the people Of the Central /
Empires we desire 20 appeal for the /
purpose OF forcing them 10 choose,
knowing the consequences or a choice
between our program OF permanent
peace and democratic progress and the
Of world conquest and spoila-
lion and oppression pursued ny ther
present militarist rulers.
III the material resources and moral
qualities Of the German people are 10
continue DO sustain Prussian militarism,
then the war will be prolonged until
one side or the other is completely sub
iugated. But it is our duty TO declare
10 the German people that Germanys
military success only p0stpones the
Of world peace.
I'VE seek. by argument as well as
By sustained and resolute resistance In
he field, 30 bring them into line with
Is in our effort TO end forever the rule
lf force in international affairs.
Were we convinced that President
Wilson's ideas were obtainable only by
lighting we would fight rather than ac-
,ept a dictated German peace. We are
lot so convinced. There have been al
'eady informal conversations and con-
'erences. secret, not open, and British
abor believes that the representatives.
" the common people will seek every
OF settling the issued in
'olved on the basis Of peoples peace"