New-York tribune., 1919-04-18
British Labor
Views League
As Defective
r. ". France, Back From
England, Says Union Ele-
ment Considers Wilson
Abandoned His IA Points

Royal W. France, brother of Senator
Joseph |. France, of Maryland, who re-
turned several days ago from England,
said yesterday that when he left the
official attitude Of the British Labor
party toward the league of nations
covenant was that it was both defect
i've and unsatisfactory.
at is not stating it too strongly
said Mr.. France, "to say that the atti
tude of the liberals, both in England
and France, toward the proceedings
of the peace conference is one of bit
ter disappointment. They had looked
at President Wilson as a great liberal
leader, who would show the world a
way out of the abyss of hatred and
despair in which it finds itself.
"Thcy considered the Presidents
fourteen points a basis on which the
world could be reunited and its
wounds healed. They feel, however,
that he has abandoned his position;
that the fourteen points have been
thrown into the scrap heap and that
the Paris conference, like previous con-
ferences of unholy memory, has degen-
Grated into a scramble for the spoils
which will leave the world embittered
and divided and ready for new wars"
No Enthusiasm for League
Mr. France said he discussed the
question Of the proposed league with
William Adamson, leader of the La
Dor party in the House Of Commons; ;
with George Lansbury. editor of its
official organ, "The Daily Herald"
and with Arthur Henderson, secretary
of the British Labor party and with
many other persons. of both liberal
and conservative views.
"ln no quarter,' he said, did | find
any enthusiasm for the Paris pro
posal The executive comn,ittee of the
British Labor party met ana formu-
lated statement representing the
official attitude of this party. whill
| believe will soon control the govern
ment in Great Britain"
Nv. France had a copy Of the state
ment 1t set forth that the league
covenant Of February Is was "defec
tive and unsatisfactory, as it provide
| for representation of governments in
automatically all nations willing to ac-
cept its obligations, and failed to pro
vide definitely for control Of arma-
ments, freedom Of trade, an interna-
tonal labor policy, and programme
providing for the eventual independ-
ence of all colonial possessions in
stead merely of those Of Germany
The joint committee which drew ur
the statement expressed in it alsc
their conviction that "immediatc and
total abolition Of conscription' was
requisite of such a covenant.
Big Labor Demonstration
Mr.. France on March 80 saw great
labor demonstration in Hyde Park, in
London, in favor of raising the block
ade which prevents food from going
into Germany. The gathering, he said
was estimated to contain about 100000
w,rkmen, who paraded with banners
reading, "Raise the Blockade" and "We
Don't Fight Rabies
"Tho pity and hatred said Mr.
France. "engendered by the war has
given way. so far as tho great labor
ing classes Of England are concerned
to a feeling of pity and desire fol
fair play, and the surrender which they
feel President Wilson has made tc
the bitter and violent spirit of the re
dictionaries of England and France ha;
filled them with the deepest disappoint
,,ont -