Pioneer

POLITICAL NOTES. By F. W. JOWETT. PAGE 2.

MINERS AND PEACE. "Russia has Marked Out the Pathway." I ^r> James Winstone's Firm Stand for Negotiation I Comb-Out. Rejected by S.W.M.F. I ?P" "Posed comb-oat of tlie collieries scheme ?? rejected by the South Wales Minors' Federa? ?ell at a special conference at Cardiff on Thm's- ?. and continued on Friday. 147 4:'t'0 were 30? delegates present, representing ? o members. Mr. James Winstone pre- vote. by the show of hands resul ted in: ] gainstadoPt ing the scheme. 236 I adoptioii I 25 I TilMajority 211 ID, L Ue scheme, which has been adopted by the l,,Cutiv?, Committee of the Mining Association OfC "it Britain for the owners, and the Execu- Committee of the Miners' Federation of tfee Britain representing the m i ners, provi d es ??'??n representing the miners, P!ovlde ?r? "?ng 21,000 men from the collieries of ?? -t Britain for the Army, of whom 4,575 are ti) b0 t?l, ?, Ken from South Wales. The Conciliation hoa.N under it are to allocate the number to be j *'11 ti'om each colliery from among nnmarned I; ir, ^tweon 18 ?n? 25, the owners of the col- ? !w and 25, the owners 'of the o 00 les to draw up a list for su bmission to a JOInt ?"?ttee of officials and workmen to consider c??ons, and eliminate the names of those they ;"??r should be exempted. Then from the )?s left a ba?t should be taken, placed in b??ical order, and forwarded to the Colliery o??ting Court, who would withdraw the ex- ?M?nucertificates of Class A men necessary to  the quota from the district. Thursday's conference several of the dele- ?!at ? criticised the scheme and argued that the te !anisation of the Miners' Federation should H(> '? used to provide men for the Army. it ? also resolved that a ballot of the mem- m's should be taken upon the procedure to be thf:'I}ed to ?ve effect to the resolution rejecting th« Tbi? £ -°ut scheme, and that the Go?ern- -ut sclit?lll(,, ,iii(I tliit the Gox?ei-n- ?e re q-tief?ted to ifi-oiji piittin- of tw'[^a?JJ,ot- TIus resolution, which was sug- 86 t b ?. Frank Hodges, was adopted by 86 n ? the idea being that the men should be ?iv n ?? opportunity of deciding whether they ? ^rePa red to accept the provisions of the s?L??Pared to accept the provisions of the I.. tiQt Friday's session the following peace resolu- drafted by the Executive Council, was car- y a. large majority —- t????t the South Wales Miners' Federation ?. action with the view of acertammg the t?!"ioIl of the organised Labour movement of t]jfj Country on the question of peace, so as to of. ??to the Labour movements of the belliger- ? ? owers the British working-class view of a l?,, 4ee settlement, afterwards asking such Labour t? if they are prepared to subscribe to tlie ritish working class policy, and to take such ,i6ii ??? compel their respective Govern- ke ? to adopt it." V^^olution, arising from the Swansea De-     up of peace Wr ('<)n^ei)11,'rig the b'eakmg up of peace V was earnd unanimouslv, the terms of IH qLøst heinO"-  M' T Attlie conference reiterates its former pro- ?8t ??"st the interferences that had taken Mat.(, the right of public assembly and free ? ?? calls upon the authorities to take sp^jb ^itah nd calls upon the authorities to take ?? "?sures necessary to protect these rights." Ptiel>.sl'1ng (118eU8SI011s on the question of food ¡:,ri\ren' ? motion was submitted that notices be ^r> "down tools" unless some steps were ???n to secure a reduction in the present prices. ?s ??y? however, the following resolution Hs C,r,iea'—"That this conference enters its feot6>i t' against the con tinned increase in the ?'ice ? ? ?ood, and calls upon the Government ■ °°d Controller at once to take drastic ?tio ?  witli profiteering in the sale of ^ctiojj ln with profiteering in the sale of that a large reduction in retail prices TW i enforced at once." Th. ???''al secretary (Mr. T. Richards, M.P.) ?s  convey the resolution to t1-11(,ted to convev the resolut i on to ?t)? '? Di'tei- the Food Control ler, to- Sether t?" an intimation that the "down tools" At Thc been seriously considered. At rnr llrsday's conferen( e Mr..Tames Win- l- Tilnes Win- IC ?er'???? sj)ecial conference -called by your ?ctg(? ?- "?uucil at the request of a num ber of "'f' :']] hi??cd with the organisation to which ? ?1] '?'?? ??? for the wel fare of which we l' an ng and for the W(lfaT(=>' of which we all J v ei^ deply concerned. It has been ? ??k ° |'°^ider what course of action shall takPT" the wor kmen on two questions Itally 'ff Y, the \vorkmenon two questions « t}^ T,,1+ the nterest ti liatio lrd whatever is decided will have ?'-?c? ? 0onsequences. Let us t h ere f ore en- lavGvM- maintairi the high standard which 11  t ??'?' t"? ?? standard which eh-),. ,rised our debates of late, exercising ? on1 ?If-respect and self-restraint, but es- ^n^ct toward each other whatever our ??-pt????? toward eaci t ot h er, whatever our .? ?? h?'ever divergent our views. "J t ]s .ard1 nece:ssa.ry  d you ? ?c? fc? ??? guiding principles a < fp- V 1. guiding principles — ..? things esseutial let us have unity.' liberty^8 douhtful let us have the fullest T> :}. ) I)llt in 'an tl" a]1 tilings let us exercise an abun- '? f??Tceo?- ?.?, towards each other.' o 4111- Exeellt' V,lhlt>6-nda+in^C'ftive has submitted without re- III T'lc"l(lat-ior, for v oii'i, ???- careful considera- ? ?? a re?sol?!" ??' ???? if 70U are able to t'lrnml.jr 1 n' !i!-i' nl it will ?? ??"' duty  J to ??-Y ? into effect. S?1? the c???-agenda' you have to con- el. tho coinb out or hr..lour commIttee has X? <?t 01er- Your committee has f,Ut details of +1 ,'che-o for ?mbing-out the ??? a?d? ?? National Miners Confer- ? ? the 6 -?th of N-'Ltional -?NT'ners Confer- r  gates without my going into details with which you are all familiar, to clearly understand that this scheme is the 'Federation scheme prepared and adopted by the British Federation. Now I wish to say a word or two on the general situa- tion and the vital issue raised bv the Executive Council resolution. History of the past ages clearly shows that there are four, at least, out- standing periods in the initiation, progress and ending of every war. First of all there is the period immediately preceding the declaration of war, of which the people are not permitted to know anything about or to have a voice in. Se- condly, there is a period when war is declared and is carried on, when the floodgates of evil, malice and envy are open; when reason is set at nought, and mad passions prevail. Thirdly, there is the period w hen people become war- weary, and the desire grows apace for a definite movement towards a mutual honourable, just, tbei-efoi-o lastin- peace. We are in that period now and all the more reason why we should ex- ercise a studious toleration towards each other. And fourth, there is the period for declaring, arranging the treaty of peace. I am _going to venture to put a question to you and tnrougli you the members of our organi- sation I hope very dispassionately with a soul full of love, compassion and admiratiom for our boys, those heroes of a thousand fights into whose eyes I looked when" they livecf; but into whose eyes I shall never look again, and those indomitable heroes who are still holding the line and whose hands we would all deem it a honour to clasp. Do those boys want Peace? My an- swer is 'Yes.' Do they want a. honourable Peace? No, a thousand tunes No. Does any- one want a dishonourable peace? No. Certainly not. "The first two periods to which I have re- ferred are passed and g —never 'to be re- called and all of us would like (were it possible and had we the power) t them out like a cloud, like a thick cloud, and to remember them no more. The third period-the desire for peace -has come; and we are here to deal with it to- day. It is fraught with grave responsibilities and immense possibilities, and I trust we shall meet them manfully. No body of men can be more sincere in their desire to see the commence- ment of a movement which will lead to an early, mutual, honourable, just and lasting peace be- tween the democracies of the belligerent coun- tries than the members of your Executive Coun- cil. Am I not therefore justified in saying to those who are assembled here, to the men we represent, and, indeed, is it not more than pos- sible, to the whole world, that this the second day of August, 1917, two days before the third anniversary of this terrible, cruel and devasta- ting war may be the supreme moment of our lives ? Again I ask, do the boys want peace at all ? Yes, a thousand times yes I Their hearts are yearning for peace. And the boys in the trenches will be glad when they hear of our mission here this morniflg. "I want, if I may, to examine the military situation as it appears to me. Much as I regret it, I am bound to say it is by no means inspiring. We were told last year that early in this year we were to have the great Spring push. The German line had to be broken in several places with, of course, the knock-out blow.' It has not yet come off. Does anyone see any sign of the military situation being any better than it is at present at the end of another year ? Is there any justification for our boys remaining in the trenches through another winter and into the next summer? Can we—should we—remain passive whilst millions more of our boys are maimed or killed? Sir Wm. Robertson told us in May last what the situation was likely to be. He stated that Germany' was numerically stronger than ever. e Germany is retreating be- cause she dare not stand up to further punish- ment in the positions she occupied—no one re- tires in war voluntarily—-but she is not yet beaten. She is going back in the hope of be- coming stronger, and numerically she is stronger now than at any time during the war. She has been preparing for war and nothing else for years past, and has recently made extraordinary efforts. She now has many more divisions in the field than last year, and has increased the number of her soldiers by about a million.. We must, in fact, win. The point is: What do we mean by winning? I doubt if this is properly understood. I take it there is no desire on the part of any one of us to crush the German na- tion and the sooner the German people know that the better. Our aim is, as I understand it, to deal German despotism such a blow as will for generations prevent a recurrence of the horrors of the last two and a half years.' "inow if there be any meaning in the above it is that we are not fighting the German people. Then why not make efforts to couvev this to them through the medium of an International conference. For whom and for what are we fighting whilst the nation bleeds to death? Is it to destroy the one and only force than can deal with the Kaiser and Junkerism. the young manhood of Germany? The people never quar- relled, they have no quarrel now. What are the hopes of a military victory ? Are we not en- titled to know? An interesting article appeared from a mili- tary expert in a neutral paper in June last. He declared that everything pointed to a consider- able prolongation of the war:— £ The attempt of the Allies to force a decision on the Western battlefield in 1917 was already considered a failure. America will continue to supply guns, and munitions, as she has done throughout the war. Moreover, America will, now that she has intervened in the war, send troops in great num- bers; but this cannot produce any effect for a long time. Thus in the West everything points to a lengthy struggle! "Then we have this statement from Mr. Churchill. Minister of Munitions The- (the Government) must use the manhood of the whole world. Men of every race and every clime must serve behind the lines, and where possible, in the lines according to their quality. They must use machinery at its highest form and must look for new fields and methods of manoeuvre. They could make a certainty of 1918, if they took the necessary measures without delay.' Even the War Office issued a memorandum to the newspapers informing them, so it was stated in the House of Commons, that there was no hope of a military triumph this summer. They must prepare the minds of the people for a war of attrition.' And thus the game goes on, wasting of .human life, the spilling of rivers of' blood and no one will say that we are assured of victory. We are often reminded of the German losses, but we are not told that on an average every week since January last we have had practically 20,000 of our own boys put out of action. If every fifth man is killed there are four thou- sand killed per week. If the war continues we can anticipate on the above .figures that one mil- lion and forty thousand will be put out of action during the next twelve months, and it will mean two hundred thousand deaths. What of the economic position? We are adding mil- lions to our national debt which will hang like a mill-stone on the necks of the workers through- out many generations. The war is costing more than eight millions per day, or say fifty-six mil- lions per week. Two thousand nine hundred and twelve millions per year, and the house voted sixty hundred and fifty millions again last week. Mr. McKenna has stated in the House of Commons that it would be necessary to increase the income tax from 5s. to 8s. 4d. in the £ in order to meet the interest on the debt which has accumulated. Why not bring reason to bear? Why not an honourable peace? Why trust the ruling classes ? Why not let the workers' re- presentatives meet face to face? The Govern- ment knows full well we are heading for disaster, but has not the courage to tell the people the truth. The Prime Minister has stated that those who are the enemies of freedom and independ- ence of. Germany are her own rulers and not the Allied Powers. I We prefer a free Germany. With a Germany dominated with autocracy we cannot make terms of peace." ?Is it not possible that the Germans, knowing that Britain, under the distatorship of Milner, Curson, and Carson are sairie thing  and Carson are sayij? the same thing of us. Why not let us have a free Britain? And thereby give some indication that we are in favour of a free Democracy all round. Mr. Henderson who is a Member of the War Cabinet, speaking in Russia said: We are anxious to see Freedom not only in America, Great Britain, Rusfsia and France, but also in Germany and Austria, and as soon as we see proofs that the German Government will grant freedom to its people, peace will at once be con- cluded. Until then Great Britain will continue to defend her own freedom. We shall have need of you no less after the war, and you will have need of us. Consequently we must fight to- gether. The reply of M. Roudneff, a, member of the Workers' Executive Council of Russia, was very significant when lie pointed out that: the Council would like to see the British working classes adopt an unprejudiced attitude in regard to an International Conference, which ought to accelerate the establishment of Peace.' Mr. Henderson then promised that he would raise the question on his return to England. "This, I presume, he is now doirlg, and the Labour Party Conference next week 18 the re- sult. Let us also encourage our Russian com- rades by adopting an unprejudiced attitude in regard to an International Conference, which ought to accelerate and in due time establish a permanent peace among the nations of the world, such as we all desire. The ex-Prime Minister himself in his last speech lias given colour to this point of ;Yiew. He said: It cannot be too clearly, too emphati- cally, or too often stated, this is a matter not for any Governments, but for the peoples, or for the Governments only in so far as they can claim to be the authentic spokesmen and inter- preters of the peoples for whom they stand. (Cheers). Once that is generally realised throughout the democracies of the world, I be- lieve that we shall be within measurable dis- tance of a lasting and honourable peace.' This changed attitude on the part of Mr. Asquiith is very inspiring indeed to those of us who have stood for peace, and I am persuaded that even amidst all the suffering and now of human blood, our own souls and find the pathway which leads ou rown souls and find the pathway which leads to the East and towards the Light. Let us not be fearful or afraid in doing that which we believe to be right. Let us look care- fully into our own hearts, the one supreme pur- pose, and in the sure and certain knowledge that: if the Labour forces will it, great as the task must be, it is not beyond the power of the united organised Labour forces to achieve it. It I is not beyond the intelligence of organised La bour in this country to so arrange terms of peace which we all desire, which will be just, honourable, mutual and lasting. There are alternatives and we must face them (1) An indefinite prolongation of the war (2) a bleeding of the nations to death with social and economic ruin and probably civil war, if not revolution; (i) Peace by 'agreement,' understanding or negotiation.' It matters not to me what terms are used, I,stand irrevocably for the latter as the only way to save this country, if not the whole of civili- sation, from utter ruin. Russia has marked out the pathway; let us follow therein. I have no more regard for Kaiserism or Junkerism in any countrv than I would for a viper. We should alwaysremember that Germany has always had a noble minority, with aims and aspirations like unto our own. Let us help them to swell in the rising tide of Democracy so that they may be able to sweep the Kaiser, pan-Germanism, the Junker class into oblivion. If the peoples are to be saved dynasties must go. The Junker class must go. Capitalism must go. Charlatan poli- ticians must be swept aside. We must, through Labour united, extend the hand of fellowship across the seas and establish, through and by it, a people's peace, thereby abolishing Avars for ever, and establishing the Brotherhood of Man throughout the world, so that all shall have a full and free opportunity of working their eter- nal destiny."

I In Reply to Hartshorn. I ARE THE EARNEST MEN'S VIEWS MISTAKEN "? I THE ALTERNATIVE POLICIES CON- SIDERED. I TO THB EDITOR. Dear Sir,—Being one of those persons whom Mr. Hartshorn describes as sincere and earnest men, who are placing mistaken views before the workmen about the war as it effects Democracy, and particularly the liberties of the Trade Unions, I should be pleased if you would kindly insert in your paper a point of view which Mr. Hartshorn has failed to understand or is mis- representing with no unfair intention. Respecting the suppressive measures of legis- lation, such as the Military Service Acts, the Munition Acts, the Defence of the Realm Regu- lations. and the Orders in Council, and Edicts that are sent out with a rapidity that is con- founding, but which are all designed to take away large tracts of .Freedom and Liberty that are vital to the working elaSB, I should like to know since when has Mr. Hartshorn been a sup- porter of all these tyrannical and freedom- destroying Acts of Parliament? We are told that if such views, which are put forward by that section of mistaken but earn- est men were accepted, it would mean the wreckage of the future of Democracy in this country for generations if not for ever. If one believed in forcing democracy upon the undemo- cratic people of Germany at the cost of millions of lives and incalculable treasure, one would ex- pect that in the prosecution of a. war, which we are now told has democracy for the Germans as one of its aims, that Mr. Hartshorn and the other politicians and Labour leaders would see that the principles of democracy were kept in- tact at home. I am afraid that the British La- bour Movement is in bigger danger of being doomed more from the conduct and policy of such persons as the Right Hon. Arthur Hender- son, the Right Hon. Mr. Brace, the Right Hon. John Hodge, and the other Labour Members who have accepted office under a Capitalist Gov- ernment, and by the Jingo speeches and warlike conduct of such Trade Union Leaders as Mr. Hartshorn, than by the issue of this war. If democracy was the best form of Govern- ment in Peace time, and I believe it is, is it not the best form in a period of war ? Or does Mr. Hartshorn agree that the bureaucracy which we now have, with its thousands of officials crawl- ing over the country, is superior and more effi- cient for the prosecution of a war? And does lie think that the eminent Democrats who constitute our Cabinet and War Council are sincerely supporting this war because they want to extend the power and influence of Democracy in every other country but our own and Ire- land ? A stranger to this planet reading Mr. Hart- shorn's article would come to the conclusion that the Liberty which we once possessed, had been obtained by the war provoked or entered upon bv the past and present Governments. My reading of history teaches me that wars have generally provided the Governing classes with opportunities, which they have historically util- ised, for filching away the little Freedom and little Liberty the people possessed. Liberty and Freedom, in my opinion, have always been won by the constant struggle and eternal vigilance of the workers against the Capitalist and Land- owners, who have always traditionally opposed giving more power either-, economically or poli- tically to the people. The workers were accus- tomed to hear that from Mr. Hartshorn, and now he tells us that the interest of the workers of all countries are identical. If that is so, why is it that in all of the belligerent countries there are Socialist and Trade. Union Leaders emulating Mr. Hartshorn and telling their re- spective constituents precisely the same things in precisely the same words. We have in the enemy countries like we have amongst the Al- lies, Socialist and Labour Leaders in co-opera- tion with the Capitalist and Landlord repre- sentatives telling their people that they must prosecute the, war to the bitter end because the enemy is determined to destroy their freedom, dis-member their Fatherland, and will ultimately crush their Trade Union organisations if they slacken or falter in making their sacrifioes.. And the war goes on. I would suggest to Mr. Hartshorn that the time has come when all those empty and mean- ingless phrases ought to drop, and a sincere en- deavour ought to be made by reason and nego-j tiation to find out what the war is being fought for what are the differences that divide, and wllether this continual slaughter of the flower of the manhood of Europe could not come to an honourable end. It would be news to the men whom Mr. Hart- shorn has so well represented in the past, if he would tell us quite plainly whether he believes that the Kaisers, Kings, Presidents, Diplomats, and Foreign Secretaries who led the peoples into this war are the best people to make the Peace? Further, it is a belated policy at this period in this world war to place all the blame and all the guilt upon one people and one country. We have got to recognise if we are desirous of a durable peace that all the peoples have to admit guilt and share some blame, for permitting their respective Governments to pursue a For- eign Policy which was conducted behind the backs of the peoples and which represented the material interests of Capitalism, and which ul- timately brought about this war without the knowledge and consent of the peoples. It will be of little value to the future harmony of Europe, and of the world, if we are going, like Mr. Hartshorn, to arrive at the conclusion that German diplomacy and Germany alone, was re- sponsible for the uneasiness that existed in the European diplomatic situation prior to the war, and which necessitated our peaceful Government in spending huge sums of money upon arma- ments and so little upon Social Reform. Has not our policy been one wllich aimed at creating in Europe a, Balance of Power favour- able to our own nationanl interests, and were not the other nations such as Germany and her partners entitled, in a, situation where military power was the sole arbitrament in the last resort of any International misunderstanding, to pur- sue a, policy which would give her a Balance of Power favourable to her national interests? When we have, as there were for years in Europe, two armed camps, always ready for war, repre- senting two Alliances which distrusted and sus- pected each other, what other resul t could one anticipate other than that war would eventually break loose upon the peoples of Europe. Mr. Hartshorn, I regret to see, is a stouthfol- i lower of the Bernhardi's in Germany, the Pro- fessor Cramb's in this country and their pro- totype in all military circles, who believe in the inhumane, unpractical and unchristian doctrine that might is right, and that Militarism can b9 crushed by Militarism. A man who believes that Justice, Liberty, and Freedom can be won and imposed by the sword, and that the ideas and ideals of another people can be altered by the force of arms, is of necessity a believer in the doctrine that the army which is the strongest, must be right, apart from considerations of morality and ethics. It is childish and wickedly unfair to allege that Peace by Negotiation means endangering our Trade Unions and Democracy. The continu- ance of the war, with all its drainage of wealth, its collossal sacrifice of life, must eventually mean further and further inroads upon our diminished area of Freedom and Liberty. Bri- tish militarism would crush Trade Unionism and Democracy to-morrow if it dared and if it could. German militarism would do likewise. And militarism the whole world over would do the same. Capitalism, wherever it exists, has never been favourable to Labour. Through the employer and landlord representatives it has always op- posed the worker. The Trade Union rights we now possess have been won against the bitter and entrenched opposition of the Capitalist forces. We can only make further progress by overcoming tho strong resistance of our em- ployers and th, Government. Mr. Hartshorn must have more -roith in Trade Unionism and its followers, and must recognise that after surmounting all the obstacles placed in our way we have succeeded once and can do so, if needs be, again. Peace by Negotiation does not mean what Mr. Hartshorn wants it to mean—the subjugation of one people and one country by another. It ineans that the Governments should be urged by political and economic pressure to state their objects and aims in precise and clear language. To declare quite frankly what are the terms upon which they are prepared to discuss peace, and to convene a conference of representatives from all the belligerent countries to discuss and consider whether a speedy and an enduring peace can now be obtained. In conclusion, we ought to request our Govern- ment to endorse the formula of the Russian Pro- visional Government: "No annexations and no indemnities," and the right of each nation to determine its own destiny. The alternative is perhaps another winter in the trenches for millions, the loss of thousands more precious lives, the piling up of a huge debt, and the mourning of thousands of women who will be made widows—and whose homes will always be shadowed by a loss that can never be restored.—Yours fratern ally, I TAL MAIN WARING, D.C.

I Anti-Peace Disturbance at Oldham. I PROMOTERS ROUGHLY HANDLED. As the result of an attempt by members of the Oldham I.L.P. to hold a "peace" meeting on Monday there were scenes of disturbance in Oldham. The meeting was advertised as the first of a series to be held this week, and when thou- sands of people had assembled on an open space off Henshaw-street the Chief Constable advised the promoters that it would be better to make the speeches elsewhere. The portable platform was picked up, but when the speakers began to move away guarded by a number of policemen it became evident that many members of the crowd, and particularly a band of New Zealand soldiers, were bent on mis- chief. Near the Town Hall Mr. Wilfred Hill, s,ecret, al*v of the I. L P secretary of the I.L.P., was roughly handled, and, after having been pulled to the ground, was struck and kicked. The police rescued him, but immediately after- wards Mr. Smith Slater was attacked, pulled about by the hair, and assaulted in other ways. Mr. George Hird received similar treatment in Mill-street, and Mr. Arthur Winterbottom, who eluded the crowd for a time, was caught in Union Street West. He was there cut on the face, and a policeman who tried to help him was twice struck. The four men were taken into the police station, and remained there until the crowd had dispersed. Later on soldiers were the leaders of an attack on the I.L.P. Club in Union-street. They en- tered the premises, and at once began to throw card tables, books, and other small articles through the windows to the crowd outside. Bot- tles of lemonade and other temperance drinks were handed out, and the disturbance was con- tinued, until little more remained to be wrecked. It is announced that the programme of meetings will be abandoned.

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