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Labour and Peace. ; < ¡

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Labour and Peace. < ¡ Conference Chairman and Vital; Facts. » The seventeenth annual oonferenco of the Labour Party opened in the Albert Hall, Nottingham, on Wednes- day. The President, Mr. W. F. Purdy, in his address said the Labour Party oould give to President Wilson's state- Baent its support. His declarations no longer' made it possible for Germany and her'Allies to say they were fight- ing a defensive war, and would help to allay the suspicious of many of our own people as to our aims and objects and enable us to unite together to bring tHe war to a successful termina- tion. But while the Allies have made, it clear'that they are not out to de- litroy the German nation, we see no sign as yet that Germany and her Allies are willing to accept the prin- cipleS which have been enunciated by the Prime Minister or President WTil- Son or the Labour Party. ('"Question") GERMANY CHALLENGED. Will the German democracy define j their war aims? ("Yes.") Will the democracy press their Govern- 11lent as we have pressed our Govern- ment? (Interruptions and shouts of "Yes" and "No.") Will Germany I Y", gree to evacuate Belgium—("Yes")— Northern France, and other territories j low under their sway ? (Renewed in- terruption, and a voice. "Ireland.") The Chairman paused for a moment 4Daidst cries of "Go on," and resumed. If the German people and the Germa-n Government are sincere in their desire for peace based on the piineiplos 01 -t^4ttt-^Oi.isness- the v* wv h<m been opened to them. Let them accept the principles laid down by President j Wilson and the way is clear for a, wOrld settlement that v. ill contain no g1"m of future wars. The peace negotiations which ha'd ?n going on hetwe??n Russia and thü I ?ntral Empires did not show that Germany would agree to the formula ? "no annexations and no indemni- j ti".), Indeed, the military party seemed to have gained the ascendancy. A, look at the war map of Europe -ouId give the reason. German mili- tary power had grown since 1914. They were fighting, not on their own ?rritory. hut on others. They held ?re territory of the AHtCs in 1917 than they did in 1915. EACE BY NEGOTIATIONS NOW j A DEFEAT. A peace by negotiations while Ger- In}íny still occupied theae territories j ould be interpreted as a victory for and cheers)—and fasten militarism more, strongly  the people not only in Germany, ?t in the whole world. (A Voice, "Ireland.") It might bring peace, but it would It might bi-Iii?, peace, and ?t draNA,ii tDd iii(?oiie-Iiis'V(' pe-?tC4?, tn(i ?ava the future generations exposed ? a renewal of the horrible carnRp. If Germany and her Allies an' Hot' billing to accept the principles v.hich ? the Allies have now published to the  World then we must fight on. No OLher Course would be possible if we value > ■°Ur honour as a nation and our pledged word to Belgium, Serbia, and France. 1 The labour Party had declared by Resolution their desire to see the war fought to a successful termination, and How that our Government and the United States had laid down the Principles upon which they were pre- pared to negotiate the onus of re- ^'ponsibiiitv for continuing the war lay with the Central Powers. If they did not accept them, then we would see clearly their designs, and he believed the Labour Party would make the firm declaration that the war must ooa- tinue until victory was assured. (Hear, hear.) y Everything must be done by the Labour Party to prevent the Russian representatives making a septi-i-ate, peace with the Central Powers, as nothing would be more disastrous to our common cause and the democrat cies of Europe in entering the war on hehalf of civilisation and democracy. (Cheers.) THE PROPOSED NEW COXSTITU- TION. Mr. Arthur Henderson brought up the printed resolution on the subject of the draft constituiton proposing that tho Labour Party should consist of all the affiliated organisations to- gether with those, rien and women, who were individual members of a\ local Labour Party and who sub- scribed to the constitution and pro- lr gramme of the party. He urged the need of tackling the question at once. Notx>dv had any right to say whether the number of Labour candidates at the nert election would be 300 or 400. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Mc-Gurk. Mr. R. Smillie (president, Miners' Federation) moved as an amendment that the question be remitted to the affiliated societies so that a conference might be called at an early date to consider the matter finally. He was for broadening the organisation, but the j Miners' Federation had not had an opportunity for discussing the ques- hun. Mr. J. W. Ogden seconded the amendment. Ona division the voting by cards was: For the amendment, 1,337,000; against the amendment, 1,318,000. The amendment was acoordingly declared carried, and the further consideration of the question was adjourned for a month. 1 PEACE RESOLUTION: DISORDER- LY SCENES. Mr Henderson moved a very lengthy peace resolution, the chief clauses in which urged upon the Allied Govern- ments to issue a joint statement on war aims asked the working class or- ganisations of the Central Powers to declare their war aims and influence their Governments facilities to hold an international conference of Labour in Switzerland. He deprecated the mov- ing of any amendments to this resolu- tion. That would spoil its effect. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., se- conded. A disorderly scene ensued. Mr. R. Williams (Transport Workers) said Mr Lloyd George had on a recent occasion acted contemptuously towards the working classes. On another appeal for unanimity l- ing made from the chair tumult arose, members on opposide sides ad- dressing recriminating words to each other. The President threatened to have the balcony cleared of visitors who joined in the demonstrations and to name dis- turbers. Finally, when quiet had been restored and the question was put, the resolution was declared carried with a few dissentients. AIR. G. H. ROBERTS, M.P. it transpired 111 the course of sub- sequent discussion that Mr. G. H. Roberts, M.P. (Minister of Labour) had resigned his position as mefnber of the executive. Mr. Witard (Norwich) urged that I Mr. Roberts had not been loval to tho Labour Party, and should be treated as one of the worst reactionaries. BRITISH WORKERS' LEAGUE. I A lively discussion followed regard- ing the Britsh Workers' League. Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., a vice-president said he would do his best to destroy the League if it fought candidates no- minated by the Labour Party if the executive of the Miners' Association or if the Labour movement desired, but he objected to be dictated to by irresponsib le delegates. Mr. R. Smillie said it had been pointed out to Mr. Wtlsll his name was being used in oonnection with the League, and he (Mr. Smillie) urged that mem bers could not remain con- sistently iufmbers of the Labour Party and a blackleg organisation. Mr. John Hodge wrote objecting to be catechised regarding his connection with the League. Mr. George Barnes, M.P., said there was somebody running Labour candi- dates besides the British Workers' League, and the I.L.P. had been at- tempting to .poison the minds of his constituents against him. The conference then adjourned.

GIPSIES AND A SHEEP. I

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