Evening star., 1943-07-18
British Labor Party Holds Fast n
To Moderate Socialist POLICY
By Marquis W. Childs.

" . ~ HtuSs
ment was, technically at least invalid.
Nevertheless, the conference voted 712,+
900 to 1851 900 against affiliation. In a.
brilliant summing-up, Morrison pointed
out that there was nothing to prevent
individual Communists from joining the
Labor party and working for individual
place and position inside the party, sub
ject always, of course, to Labor party
discipline. :
Suspicion Of American motives In
North Africa was evident In several res
olutions before the conference. Perhaps
the most outspoken of these resolutions
declared:
"This conference deplores the action
OF the national leadership in acquiescing
IN the establishment of a reactionary
regime in North Africa and its failure to
insist on the acceptance of the interna-
tional principles of the party in dealing
with 'Quislings'"
And on the same theme:
"This conference reaffirms its view OF
the war as fight for the fundamental
liberties of mankind its conviction that
Fascism is the enemy of these liberties,
its determination not to compromise or
oollaborate with Fascism in any way;
and, therefore, deplores the political ac-
tions of the United Nations In North
Africa"
Incidentally. this reflects a fairly
widespread British view. Many British
ers believe that American policy forced
the acceptance of Vichyites In Africa.
Dislike Indian Policy.
Discomfort with the policy of the Brit
tsh government in India was expressed
in IL resolutions on the subject, some OF
them phrased in strong language. Here
are two samples:
This conference is of the opinion that
the attitude of the British government
toward India, especially in the recent
f1ogging laws and imprisonments with
out trial of the Indian political leaders,
is closely analogous to that of Nazi Ger
many toward her subject peoples. IL
'The conference therefore demands
that the Labor members of the govern
ment should, in view of the govern
ments declared principles, exert pres
sure for the immediate release Of
1ndlas leaders and the reopening of ne
gotlations at an early date
This conference condemns the action
OF his majestys government in refusing
opportunities for consultation between
Mahatma Gandhi, Congress leaders and
other prominent Indian leaders: ex-
presses its conviction that India Is
democratically entitled to political free
dom and independence; urges the neces.
slty OF the immediate reopening Of ne
gotiations on the basis of the transfer.
ence of political responsibility to
responsible and representative Indian
government and presses for the liberia
ton OF political prisoners"
While these resolutions never came
before the conference, for lack of time.
they were nonetheless indicative of
the drift of thought in the rank and file
OF the party. A great deal of debate was
taken up with the question of what to
do with Germany at the wars end. This
drew almost the fiercest feeling Of the
entire conference.
On one side were the moderates who
argued that it would be necessary, after
period of military occupation, to give
controls in Germany over to responsible
Germans-democratic elements surviv-
ing out of the past. On the other side
were the die-hards who followed the line
OF Lord Vansittart. They insisted that
drastic treatment, perhaps even dis
memberment of Germany, was neces-
sary. And the die-hards won by a sub.
stantial majority.
1t has even more far-reaching implica-
tions. If what is left of the old Social.
Democratic and trade union groups that
were so important in the Weimar Re-
public believe there is no hope from
England. then inevitably they will swing
to Communism, hoping for better treat
ment from Russia. This poses a grave
problem, particularly In view Of the ex-
tensive Communist underground that Is
said to persist in Hitler's Reich. -
Whatever the subject, no matteer how
impassioned the speakers. there was fair
play from the men and women OF Labor.
g.. Let him be heard" Give him time"
mot fair abide by the chairman. .. ,"
Such cries from the floor enforced the
ancient British doctrine OF free speech
In a free assembly even In the midst Of
war.
printed BY special arransement with The 81.
Louis Post-Dispatch)
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