Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-03-14
British Leader Says That
Europe's Labor is
United
NO WRANGLING
Neither Pro-German Nor
Anti-French, Says Hen
derson of British Or
ganization-All Agreed
By The Right Hon. Arthur Hen
dorson, VI. p, p. C.

dorson, NJ. P, p. C.
Vicc-Chairman and Secretary,
Parliamentary Labor Party.
written for the United Press
London, March l4.-Some peo-
pie are under a real mis&ppre-
hcnSion Us TO the attitude of Brit
ish Labor towards France. Ii
has been suggested that we are
more favorable to Germany than
TO France, that we are pro-Ger-
man and an6-French, and that
We would free Germany entire
H. from making reparations to
the Allied peoples. These asser-
tions are a complete misrepre-
sentatioa.
The Labor Party is neither pro
German nor anti-French. Never
has it taken any decision which
can bC interpreted to mean that
Germany should be released from
her obligation to make rep4ra-
ton for damage done by her arm
les during the war. World peace
is the bedrock aim Of Lab"r'S
policy, not the peace that is mere
" the breathing space between
mighty struggles, but the en-
during and abiding peace that will
permit of friendly and active CO
operation among all the nations
of the world.
Ii is because we believe that
the policy now pursued by
France towards Germany is =
danger to the peace of Europe,
and because we are convinced
that it will not achieve the end
for which it was professedly con-
ceived, that we are strongly ana
unitedly opposed to it.
To suggest that it is due to
Anti-French and pro-German
feeling, 10 hint that we are in-I
different to the well-being of the
French people, is a fragrant mis-
representation.
We do not believe that the
French people are going to bene-
fit by the policy Of military oc-
cupation and control which their
government has established in the
Ruhr. We believe that instead of
this sort of action resulting I'M
larger and more frequent pay
mcnl of rcDarationS being made
By Germany, it viii have the
very opposite results, and will
render separations payments even.
more uncertain than they have
been in the recent past.
British Labor is neither pro-
German nor anti-French.
British Labor would not let.
Germany oil Preparations.
British Labor's aim is real
world peace, not breathing
space between conflicts, and la
Dor is convinced that Frances
Euhr policy is a danger 20 such
peace.
British Labor favors referring
the EJAr, and similar disputes
to the League of Nations, By
would reform the League to in
clude all nations ut present eX-
cluded, notably Germany and Rus
sia.--Arthur Henderson.
The time may come, and | be-
lieCe that it Will come. when all
the nations engaged in the great
war, debtor and creditor nations.
will be compelled by force Of cir
cumStauceS to come together and
reconsider the whole question OF
war Indebtedness in whatever
category it may now be placed.
As long ago as December. 1921.
The Labor Party officially de-
clared itself i'm favor of France
and Belgium receiving full rep,.-
ration Tor the damage done, and
expressed its belief that it was
within capacity of Germany to
make good the damage. This view
was endorsed by the French, Bel
gian and German working-clasS
movement
While the question of repara-
ton is the main cause of fric-
ton between the several govern
mcntS concerned, and is also the
chief menace to the peace of Eu-
rope. the Labor and Socialist
movements in the several coun-
tries concerned are in complete
agreement, and are united in a
common policy for dealing with
the problem.
Il is idle to accuse British
Labor of being anti-French and
pro-German, or Of being ready to
release Germany from obligations
which the German Socialists have
accepted and viii honorably seek
10 meet.
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