New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-25
British Labor
Shows Policy
Is Moderation
Vote of Trade Union Con-
gress Against Direct Ac-
ton Is Evidence BOlshe-
vism Has Little Influence
New Internationale Likely
English Socialists Prove
They Are Britons First,
Radicals Only on Platform
From The Tubune's European Bsrsos

e rom L nc T1OunS8 european OHTCOB
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, April 10.-Following the
lead Of the French Socialists, but only
part way, the British Independent La
Dor party has decided to withdraw
from the Geneva International. In
March the French Socialists, meeting
at Stuttgart, cut away from the Second
Internationale and decided to consider
the question Of joining the Moscow or
Third International. The British 1.
L. P. has turned down Lenine's offer
and voted to open negotiations with the
Swiss party, in the hope of establish
ing new and comprehensive Interna-
tionale.
This decision, following close on the
overwhelming vote Of the Trade Union
Congress against "direct action" may
have been influenced by Mr.. Lloyd
Georges recent charge that British
labor was tending toward Bolshevism-
an indictment made as an argument
for a political coalition Of Conserv-
atives and Liberals. The vote is in
terpreted in all quarters as showing
that the British Socialists are extreme
~ moderate as compared with the
French and Italians. It was significant
OF the trend Of events that just before
the final vote at the /. l.. p. conference
Philip Snowden. the chairman, point
ed out that all the speeches had been
made by the opponents of the Moscow
International, and invited some sup
porter to take the floor
Britain Seeks Supremacy
In the whole of the British Isles
there is only one Soviet" Mayor, ]. J.
Vaughan, of Bethel Green, who pre-
sided over recent conference of the
British Socialist party. He is an ad-
ysocatc of the Lenine program, but he
has no more influence in the councils
of the British Socialists than the Enir
Feisal.
The British worker, whether he is
a conservative, Liberal or Socialist,
may sing about the revolution" and
talk for hours about the evils of CAP
italism," but just now he has his
tongue in his cheek and his back in
his work. Britain is determined to
lead the world, which means "beatin9
the Yankees" There is no mistake
about the accuracy of this observation.
The British government has a detinit.
policy, and when the British set out on
job they stick to it, stubbornly and
patiently. No fanfare of trumpets an
nounces their embarkation on COM
mercial mission. There are only two
commercial rivals in the world to-day,
Britain and America. Japan, Germany
and France are not in their class. The
British worker knows this; no British
Soclallst is anxious to exchange places
with Russian simply to live under a
soviet form of government.
Sports Encouraged
Possibly the reason for the modera-
ton of the British workman-his lack
of enthusiasm for Bolshevism-mav
pc found in his opportunity to enioy
nimself at price within his means.
1t Is no unusual thing for 10000 spec
tators to watch football game, the
average price of admission being a
quarter: The Derby draws some 100
ooo enthusiasts, Of whom only a tenth
pay, any admission to the race course,
ana they are the occupants of the
grand stand. From one-quarter to half
a a, million I, persons line the banks of
the Thames when Oxford and Cam
pr dge race, and there is no charge.
What is true of the London district
IS also the case Of the other great cen
ters OF population. The masses hive
wonderful opportunity to enjoy their
leisure hours and many hours to d.
vert their minds from the humdrum
routine Of work.
English official life encourages sport
and recreation; it does not try to
hinder and hamper recreation by leeis
Latlon. There are "Verboten" signs.
Independence, freedom of opinion and
action are not discouraged. No driver
ever swears at policeman in London.
and no policeman need swear at a
driver. The driver knows the police
man is at the crossing to help him, and
the policeman knows the driver is anx-
lous TO cross as soon as possible. Each
respects the other.
Little Danger Of Revolution
There is no country in the whole of
Europe where there is less danrer of
revolution than in England. Paradoxi-
cal as 1t may seem, it is equally true
there is no country where greater
changes in the relations between can
ltai and labor are being made. The
British Socialist is q Briton first and
SOCIALIST when he mounts the platform.
lie IS an international only a few hours
OF the twenty-four. Whatever the rea-
son-sports, recreation, temperate eli
mate, beer-the British workman is n
moderate chap four-hfths of the day.
British Socialists are fine debaters--
and good workmen.