BRITISH MINISTER IN HOT WATER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3153, 3 August 1917, Page 5

BRITISH MINISTER IN HOT WATER

MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON'S VISIT TO PARIS SHARP CRITICISM IN PARLIAMENT PRIME MINISTER DEFENDS HIS COLLEAGUE

Pans, Aiigust 1. .Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee's welcome to tilio Socialist delegates, 3lr. Arthur Henderson said tJiat ■iiri.ta.iii would never deal with a Government which did not express the slightest regrot for its crimes. Britain wo'ukl never bend, w'hatover the duration of tho war. A peace in statu quo ;uite bellum (Hie state tiliat was before tho war) meant certain war for the next generation. To make peace, now .vould be a veritablo crime. iCnly victory 'wan the guarantee of peace. M. t'fSoldenberg, a Russian* delegate, said the Russians were grievously affected by tho wenkj)ess of their front, but he protested agaiilst any idea that lUssia would seek a separate peace.—A us.N.Z. Cablo Assn. MR. HENDERSON'S JOURNEY RAISES STORM SIGNALS. London, August 1. "The Times" political correspondent says that Mr. Arthur Henderson's visit to Paris with Mr. Ramsay iUacdonald lias precipitated a crisis in the Labour I'arty. Mr. Henderson's Ministerial colleagues anxiously await his return, and the strongest will not follow kim in his new role. There is a suggestion itliat his resignation will bo tho only solution of tho difficulty. The correspondent adds that the Labour policy lias undergone a vital change since Mr. Ilendereon's return. . ' The Petrograd correspondent of lhe Times" says that Mr. Henderson's immediate Ministerial resignation is expect-ed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ QUESTION RAISED IN THE HOUSE MR. HENDERSON AND PRIME . MINISTER IN REPLY (R?c. August 2, 8.15 p.m.) ■ London, 'August 1. . In-the House of Coninions Viscount :pun«uiuon (Unionist) moved the adjournment of'the House for the purpose of drawing the attention of the Government to ■ the .War Cabinetjs conduct in

permitting Sir. Arthur 'Henderson to go to Paris, nccompained by ii .pacifist member (Mr. Hamsay llacdoiiaW), on- business not connected .with Mr. Hendersons duties as a member, of the War Cabinet. Viscount Duncannon' 6aid that the faoyernment's .aq'tion in granting- passporte was tantamount to . its assent to the mis-' sion, which'was prejudicial; to the country's interests- at a critical stage of. the war. Ho demanded that the Government should prohibit Englishmen from going to Stockhbliu to iuect the Germans. All'.. Henderson ought ' either to retract, or resign.

.-"-.Mr, Henderson Defends His Mission. Mr. Arthur Henderson, replying, denied tho suggestion that the delegates intended to proceed to' Italy, but abandoned the idea owing to t'he outcry 111. Britain. ■He regretted that judgment had not,been suspended until ho' had been heard in explanation. He went to Paris to examine the Dutch and. Scandinavian jnittees' inivtation to an international conference, ftiid took .the opportunity" to discuss a proposal for au intcixa-UieU/ conference, wliicfli liad tlie; Governinents approval. Ho emphasised til© a former conference had been definitely arranced, "wTietliei"! tho .House ox-.Com-mons liked it or not.' He did not desire an international conference, but ApgloFrenfch relations would have seriously prejudiced unless he attended and statedi the case. Owing to our lack of propaganda' Russia had misunderstood Britain's,aims. He urged the necessity for the labour Parly's view being presented at the conference. I have done what 'I conceived to be my duty he said, "hot in the interests, ot the Laho->r Party/ but in tihe interests of the country, tho only interest which has moved, nie since the -outbreak wof war.

• Appeal by Mr. Lloyd George. Tho Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) said that the Government's war l»" c >' had not changed. Neither had there been any alteration of views upon the only possible conditions of peace consistent with honour an dsecuiity. We certainly did not propose to participate m any conference such as had been < lM cr>be<' nor do we propose to allow any section of tho conference to decide• or <llic e peace terms,, which must M the , res P° f f"' sibility of the Government sole y. < Ho happened to be in Pans when the Labour Conference arrived at its. decision.. Ho was thero not for the purpose oi discussing peace, but to discuss the tucccs■d'nl prosecution of the war. It was proposed to resume tfiat conference in London during tho next lew .days, the Allied representatives also attending. Mr. dorson Had frankly's tated his.nosiUan. MiIloiidcrson's association with oi o ani=ed Labour ha<l been greatly to the advantage of tho Government, especially wim regard to the output, of. munitions thg organisation, of our to carrying ouit of the compulsion Acts. The fuunl duality of position had occurred in the French, Belgian, and Italinn Governments, which were realising the necessity of retaining the, support of the niasses of tho workere.. Mr. kl°jd Geoue be"»ed the critics seriously to consulei the°position, and not to express a deciswn until tho Government- had M"" tunity of conferring with the riench Government, whicli was in exactlj the stun opposition, and might bo compromised by the verdict of Uio Cflmmons. Ho had never despaired of tho Allies cause and lie despaired now* less than ever ' He felt confident regarding Russia, but we might givo her. a tlvance. "Tho Provisional Government has asked i fnrViwit* and wo havo dono our W nofto play Sto the hands of the sinister influences that are working , in 1?S a-ainst the Allies " He earnestly Sed °"Is it too much tc.ask.the o) Commons to assist themf - It iB vM tbat we should ■ at home And abroad, and not flm„ our valuable colleagues into the arms of tho pacifists." (Loud cheers.) and withdrawn from tho Govornmcn . Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ ■

TCNGLTSU LABOUR MKMBBBS GOING J,NU TO STOCKHOLM. (Eec. August 2,. 9.50 p.m.) Copenhagen, August 1. Mr Arthur Henderson lias cabled the Stockholm Conferen'co that the : Englisl Sup members have ohanged their minds and will partioipato in the- confwence which has been postponed ill iuguS' 20.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.