Pioneer

Political Notes. I [BY F. W. JOWETT, M.P.] The makers of the Russian Revolution are steadily resisting every attempt to divert Rus- sian foreign policy on to the old annexationist lines. The note of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of May 1st, which seemed to give official sanction once more to the pre-revolutipn war aims of Russia in regard to the annexation of Constantinople and the dismemberment of Austria-Hungary, has led to a demand from I the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Delegates for explanations. This demand has been met by the issue of a note from the Russian Provisional Government to the Ambassadors of the Allied Powers re-affirming the renunciation by Russia of territorial conquests and the seizure of na- tional property of other nations and of all ex- tension of Russia's power at the expense of other States. #$# This is a long step towards peace, for it re- moves the fear which, in the first instance, was relied upon by the German Government to unite the people of Germany in favour of war. Since the war began, however, the conditions have changed in all the belligerent countries. It is not alone conquest by Russia that the German people have been taught to fear. The Allies de- clared war aims, also, have rendered great as- sistance as the war has gone on, to the German Government in its tremendous task of keeping the German people united in support of the war. The German Go vernmenthas not fully suc- ceeded in this task for there has always been_ a section of the German people that refused to De stampeded into supporting the war. I To strengthen this latter section of the Ger- man people in its fight against German militar- ism it is necessary for the workers of other coun- tries to oppose all plans of, conquest on the part of their respective Governments. This duty, of course, applies to the workers of all countries, Germany and Austria included. But each coun- try has its own duty to perform in this matter. Russia has led the way. Austria has answered Russia's call and declared that if Russia seeks no conquest neither does she seek any. It is our turn now. The British Government should be made to spe £$f. Time flies. Blood flows. The young manhood of Europe is being rapidly con- verted into bloody rags." This is Mr. Churchill's description of what is daily happen- ing to men and it is a true description. On June 3rd-the first Sunday after Whit- suntide—according to present arrangements, there will be an opportunity of Socialist and workers' organisations to respond to the call of Russia. The United Socialist Council met yes- terday (Tuesday) and decided to call a national conference of delegates representing all Social- ist and Labour organisations in favour of peace without annexations or indemnities. The con- ference will be held at Leeds, providing that suitable arrangements can be made for "it to meet there. This is a preliminary notice with the object of enabling members of those Trades Councils, Local Labour Parties and Trade Unions that are in favour of responding to the call of the makers of the Russian Revolution to call of the ma k ers of t l get to work as early as possible and ensure a suc- cessful conference. Remember the words of Karenski. the Russian Minister of Justice, who opened the prison doors for the whole of the po- litical prisoners and set them unconditionally free—words, be it also remembered, addressed to the British Labour men who went to Russia un- der the patronage and direction of the British- Government. This is what he said: "You must know that Russian democracy is now mistress of the Russian land. We have de- cided to put an end for ever in our country to all attempts at Imperialism and usurpation, for we do not wish the enslavement of anyone. We believe in the ideal of liberty, equality, and fra- ternity for all peoples. The enthusiasm which animates Russian de- mocracy springs from the knowledge that the dream of a brotherhood of all the nations of the earth is approaching its realisation. The de- mocracies of the world will then understand that hostility can no longer exist between them. Russian democrats will maintain to the end the position created by the declarations of the Provisional Government and the Council of Workmens' and Soldiers' Delegates. We will not permit by a return of the old aims a war of usurpation. We beg of you to convey to your Governments of Faance and Great Britain that these are the true sentiments of the Russian people. WE EXPECT YOU TO EXERCISE OVER OTHER CLASSES OF THE POPULA- TION OF YOUR COUNTRIES THE SAME INFLUENCE AS WE DO ON OUR MIDDLE CLASSES, WHO HAVE NOW RENOUNCED THEIR IMPERIALIST ASPIRATIONS." As I have previously indicated the Russian Foreign Minister sent a note to the Governments of Russia's Allies on May 1st which, in diplo- matic language seemed to restore the policy of annexations, and if it had remained unchallenged would have permitted the Russian Government (in the interests of the middle classes) by a re- turn to the old aims to carry on a war of usur- pation. Concerning this offending note the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has informed the whole world of the Council's opinion, and no more hopeful and encouraging document than the one issued on this matter has appeared in any country within my recollection. It touches the spot. Speaking of the Russian Foreign Minister's offending note it says, "The terms and formulae of the Note, borrowed from the vocabulary of the diplomacy of the old re- gime and incomprehensible to the people, were of such a nature as to give rise to the fear that, in the domain of International relations, Russia v did intend to depart from the path of the re- nunciation of the policy of conquests which it proclaimed on April 9th. The unanimous pro- tests of the workmen and soldiers of Petrograd showed the Provisional Government and all peoples of the world that the revolutiomary de- mocracy of Russia would never consent to the setting up anew of the problems and processes of the foreign policy of the epoch of the Tzars and that its efforts are and will be directed to an implacable struggle for a world peace." Boi-i-owed from the vocabulary of the diplo- macy of the old regime is good. Evidently the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has its grip on the realities of the situation. Let us hope that the Russian people will continue to respond to the Council's lead in these troublous times. Last week I gave an illustration of the great change that the Russian Revolution has effected in regard to the rights and liberties of men. serving in the Russian Navy. Let me give an- other example showing the great change brought about by the revolution. The following state- ment, issued by the Provisional Government was quoted in full by the Petrograd cerrespon- dent of the Daily News of May 4th: The Provisional Government finds, on the ueports of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, that there are in Russian prisons places of deportation, a considerable number of subjects of enemy countries, so-called civilian prisoners, who were carried off by our armies partly during the retreat in 1914, and partly in 1915. THE REASON FOR THE CAPITIVITY OF THESE PERSONS WAS THEIR LOYALTY TO THEIR COUNTRY. BEING OF THE OPINION THAT SUCH SENTIMENT CANNOT HE IMPUTED AS A CRIME TO THOSE PERSONS, and could not therefore, be a justification for carrying off the population of enemy territories into the interior of Russia, the Provisional Government have decided to set free all the above-mentioned persons, TO COME TO THBIR PECUNIARY ASSISTANCE, and to appoint a special committee, representing the Ministries of War, Justice, Foreign and Home Offairs, to con- sider the possibility of repatriating them." Truly as a result of the advent of the people of Russia to power and responsibility the Rus- sian nation has been born again. To catch some of the spirit of this great new Russia and help her in her efforts to bring peace to Europe in this spirit it would have been worth the while of the Labour Party of Great Britain to send a helpful and friendly deputation. But, alas, an- other sort of deputation is to be sent there, the object of which will be to liaiden the heart of the Russian people against the policy of peace without annexations or indemnities and in favour of the fight to a finish policy. To-day (Wednes- day) the La bour Party Executive has decided to send an official delegation to Russia, and it will consist of members of the Labour Party Executive who are supporters of a, dictated peace. The answer to this decision of the Labour Party Executive must be to make a success of the coming National Conference in favour ot peace without annexations or indemnities. Let us show that the spirit which is moving the Rus- sian people is moving also among the people of this country. To avoid misapprehension, however, let me say that if the British people, foMowing the example of the Russian people, should renounce all thought of annexations and Indemnities, this will mean that Great Britain, like Russia, seeks neither the one nor the other. But, it does not mean that Belgium should receive no indemnity —only that Great Britain seeks none and is pre- pared to negotiate peace if the other powerful nations who are the real antagonists in this war wiM. make it clear that they, also seek none.

TAILORS ASK FOR A BONUS. The tailors of Merthyr—the worts paid in the South Wales area, being logged at 4 £ d. per piece- work hour, as against Aberdare's 5d. plus a 10 per cent. war bonus—have decided to approach the employers for a 15 per cent. bonus ou the present log, and thus bring themselves approxi- mately to the average for the Vallies. On Wed- nesday Mr. By me, of the National Executive, and Mr. Davies, the local secretary, approached the local employers, and were received with some sympathy, but no definite promise was given, presumably the masters' decision is de- pendent upon a meeting of the master tailors of the town. Only one employer, Mr. Davies, of Dvnevor-street, is at present paymg a war bonus of 10 per cent., and this he has been doing since Easter.

— ————— —————— The Theatre Royal. There is the real melodramatic touch about the" City of Sighs and Tears which Leonard Mortimer and his clever company are present- ing at the Theatre Royal this week. Melodrama is really distinctive in its appeal, and Mr. Mor- timer has all the melodramatists artistry strong- ly marked, as well as a real genius for manage- ment and presentation. The, ingredients that go to make up the story of the City of Sighs and Tears," are really good, and the compounding has been done by an expert—Mr. Mortimer him- self. The caste is particularly strong, with pretty and clever Miss Ida Clifford as the hero- ine. Miss Lillie de Vere carries off the part of Mary Stone extremely well; and Fred Hodges, as her ne'er do well brother, is one of the finest pieces of characterisation and playing, in the piece. Miss Grace Weir has a charming touch of humour, in which she is well supported by Rupert Talbot as the Hon. Billy. Altogether the play is well worth a visit, and I confidently re- commend it to all my readers who like a well played, well spiced melodrama, with a happy final curtain. We are promised something out of the run of ordinary drama next week by the visit of Frank Listen and Ernest Grant's No. 1 company in The Fatal Wedding." A play that can pack the largest American theatres night after night for two seasons and then repeat the success over here (as The Fatal Wedding did for 22 weeks at the Prince's Theatre, London, and has since been doing in all the largest cities and towns in the provinces), must have some mys- terious power for drawing the masses. What that power is it is not difficult to define. The immense success it has achieved both on this side of the water, and in America, lies in the fact that the play is one of great heart interest. Melodrama in its best form is but a theatrical re- flex of the incidents of life and the appeal it makes-whether it be to the custom of tears or of laughter-has the human touch which carries it to the hearts of men and women. The Fatal Wedding is also Brimful of child interest, wherein lies a strong factor in the cause of the play's success. It provides in the part of Jessie "—the little mother—one of the most charming studies the stage has ever known. Dramatically speaking, the part has no superior among child characters upon the stage, and in tha opportunity it furnishes for versatile acting it has never even been approached.

The Anti- Toxin of Liberty. I (AMICUS). There is in the domain of surgery and wedi- cine a wi d esprea d practice of inocu l ating, the cine a widespreed practice of inoculatIng .will human system with the "serum" of .a ceif &11 disease, in order, so it is claimed, to wad g a,n attack of such a disease. This practice upon the theory, that inoculation by gili"g individual "a very mild and greatly nodi?ed ?, attack of the disease," thereby secures t"??.. V dividual against contraction of it a second hich There are those who advocate this theory-" .? ? to my oudinary intelligence is both Pel'Ill.clo and useless-on the ground that the man who has gently saturated himself with 'alcohol resist large doses with impunity," ad to morphia maniac can take enough morpbllt to kill ten ordinary individuals I This theory of "anti-toxin is not coolled to medicine and surgery. It is not evert !0Q~ fined to politics! It seems quite a chai'^0 ^is- tic attitude of mind in most official and bu? cratic circles. Mr. Macdonald must have been tilinkiligOf this when he said in his speech at the ,ubllc de- monstratien in Leeds recently: "ThatS  suIt of this war the governing classes wih ^aVe suit of this war the governing classes ?"n to offer us advantages. Our heads w! I not merely be broken; Sir Edward Carson wrIf ?.g? merely be sent to the Cabinet; the right ft ^ee speech will not merely be suppressed, ?'?icg modern tyrant offers the Democracy so }pg to keep it quiet whilst it is rivetting the ehaill? upon its wr' sts and ankles. He offers son? thilag that it believes it has been striving to S? & the time of its existence. He will oner it office and call it authority; he will offer it pl? pj leave it to believe that it has got influence ? will offer it titles spoken of as distinctions; „? will offer it bureaucracy and say—Social# '11 Is there a finer description of the alltitO$1 in politics ? be 3, Liberty to the governing mind seems to jc ?c ltsese; Justlce,especIally social and ec(?nomjc justice, must seem to be an epidemic l,?T0,O]o ideals of social righteousness, beauty, P .?? fraternity,—what must these things s&^ Surely a ravaging plague which mast be g? against! cef' At the time when a dispute arose at ? gf tain large colliery, the emp l oyer was 11 refer to "those damned microbes about ag$ I am not going to suggest that reforms sB J be flouted an d scouted. If reforms cot? 0d they will, after the war, our eyas sh ul 0 to see that real and not insubstantiaj anSlIao, reforms are forthcoming. But, on the other A  let us not be blind to the probabIllt]cso ?'ae, mO('I:acy Mly-fed and satiated with a" means of physical subsistence. ]'Iiis I, not any means improbable and, as such, it Is ot de- void of the elements of danger. lie vol11 may have been run on empty stoii-iiells;elir governing classes know this, and will ??y ;j stave off the possibility of revolution by fye s viding that no stomachs sball be empty anti-toxin to revolt is a well-fed people- It does not require any stretch of imag?? ?o!i to see that miners, railwaymen, and traDs"ort workers, will in all probability be receiv??-g. g i latively very high wages in the m'ar fti 1'e. Their conditions may also be of the best iat ? can be provided. And there is no need ? ?  the reason why. ??' r Labour will also obtain a share of tlie,'O"yl sibility and a voice in the control of  and industrial processes, not excluding l'tri?e5 and lock-outs. This will be hailed as a 9""qf?J- vance and a far-reaching i-efar-ill.T,,Ib"" will be patted and petted; showered with ?o?' pliments and ^ty■; pliments and surcharged with effusions (y 'qil? sentiment And all the time the tinsell? .j ?s y gflded chains of wage slavery will remain ankles and wrists! Our satisfied and coiit.pnj-ed iii d usti? i a l deiii.oci-a(,,y niay be foi- (). ?et f ii l '3 industrial democracy may be forgetful to mindful of its servile status, and may 1?"? to and be pleased with the tintinnahuiatiollS of their official and unofficial betters. The real power in the land in the Hu* 1 will be immune to soporifics, and does no' a prey to that "virtue," so skilfully cliag?)! by Nietzsche, aad which alwaYs accof with good sleep ,? Labour to be really free must wor k °uj# Labour to he realJyfree l11l1st work aU ?0,5 own salvation and destiny. This never oT meant, and will never mean the usurpat? ?i- ai rogation of power; it means fi,,eedoill O?eN, prp?ion, freedom to achieve freedom to sel've the common good. To this end sound apd ledge is needed, backed by clear thinking, alert intelligence. Let us not bite the haO** tbatl would help us, lot us not sneer at hu? s be' would accompany us on our way; imt let l\ be' ware of him who would assume the attitu e o> friendship and who would clothe liiiiis?(I]f 1 iDe guise of supporter, and would try to 1? astray. # y We are heading straight to some faii ? f we shall be there soon after the war is <"?' jt us beware lest it be our misfortune to  tM land of promise; it is not at all lil.?el- to be tDO promised land, and as Mr. Ramsay jol19 ]a Igave warning.: Beware! beware of the S ism which is a kind of Socialism." I

WORKING WOMEN AND WELFAB6 1 WORKERS. I  Working women will have their Rrst ;1Jtøø tunity of expressing an opinion on the ? elMfay Worker in the Factory on Saturday neSy' 5th. The Standing Joint Committee of ?ill trial Women's Organisations has called ff}Jite< day conference at the Toplady Hall, ca'Ø' fields, Tottenham Court-road, London, ?O 'foe sider the whole subject of industrial ^2'je\i&e Work. The programme cover a very l??gji? ber of subjects, from the place of the M-wot' I Officer in the Factory to that of Factory ?'j shop Committee; from Factory Law tO ill  teens and hostels. Miss Mary MacArthur ? ill? in the chair, and among the speakers ? (lIf Margaret Bondfield, Miss Hilda Cashmo?' ? has 'been doing much work in the traid??? Welfare Workers and has some very ^e estio and unconventional views on the subject Marion Phillips and Mr. J. J. Mallon.. g 111jJ1 It is expected that factory workers, ?' ? be represented through their Trade  dt tP have some very strong things to say ab.WelfgtO Ministry of Munitions and its method of ? Work; and, as the first chance so far £ *eI1 workers to criticise an institution which » so much praised by philanthropists, t? c0^ie ence should have a special interest. 1,

TO-MORROW MAY BE TOO Get a pox TO-DAY! „ I bad f?ot# [?Robert Edes, of Weybridge, writes After I had ? eO the second two I felt better than I had_done lor 0veC-,$' years. The pain in my back had entirely gone. MrS' aft6' I Runwell Road, Wickford, states: Your pills cl tre? Ole-)K0 OLfie Runwell Road, Wickford, states:—"Your pi!s c"? ains il1'c9' years Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago, pait" tDe years of pain. Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago, pains Atic?' I Back, Dropsy, Bright's Disease of the Kidneys, e,nVd51 Rheumatism, and Gout, will ^nd a positive cure n> G.=.I Pi1l is. 3d., all chemists; post free- Gravel Pills. Medical Hall, Cleckheaton, |f HOLDROYD'S M.di,a] HaIl, Cleckh.alon,  A