SOCIALISTS AND THE WAR AIMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 5

SOCIALISTS AND THE WAR AIMS

THE INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE

WILL FIGHT FOR DEFEAT

OF KAISERISM

(Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.)

London, February 22.

The Inter-Allied Socialist Conferenco L agreed to the suppression of secret diplomacy, foreign policy to be placed in the hands of a Leaguo of Nations. _ The commission Bet up to consider territorial adjustments was unable to reach anything like r-nanimity. Tho British trade nnion delegates entered a vigorous protest against some of the proposed territorial adjustments, and ridiculed tfie French proposals regarding the German colonies. M. Van der Velde, tho Belgian Minister, who is presiding, declared: We cannot ignore the fact that the Bol- [ sheviki have discredited Russia in inj ternational socialism, but we must not ! forget what the Russian i evolution has done for internationalism and social- [ ism. The great lesson to be derived i from these happenings is that the de- ! mocracy would commit an irretrievable mistake throwing away its arms before imperialism is defeated."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WAR PLATFORM AGREED TO WILL FIGHT TO DEFEAT GERMAN IMPERIALISM. (Rec. February 25, 0.50 a.m.) London, February 24. The Inter-Allied Socialist Conference agreed to a memorandum of war aims declaring that the peoples of Europe were the chief sufferers by the war, though they were not responsible for the outbreak. "The invasion of Belgium and France threatens the very existence of independent nationalities, and strikes a blow at the faith of treaties. Therefore a victorious German Imperialism would mean the defeat and destruction of the European domocracy and liberty. Tho Socialists are not warring with the Austro-Gorman peoples, but with their Governments, who opposo them. While inflexibly resolved to fight until tho task of liberation has beon achieved, tho Socialists will oppose a war of conquest." The conferenco appointed Mr. Arthur Henderson M. Albert Thomas (France), and M. Van der Velde (Belgium) to act as a commission to endeavour to secure from the Allied Governments an agreement that at least ono representative of Labour-Socialism would participate in the peace conference. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRADE UNION BREAK WITH THE SOCIALISTS. London, February 22. Tho "Daily Telegraph" states that tho trade unions arc considering the question of separating from tho Socialist organisations and establishing a Trades Union Labour Party, owing to their resentment at tho Socialist pacifist attacks on trade union officials who, while members of Parliament and Ministers, advocated tlio prosecution of the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Tlio cable news In this Issue accredited to the London "Times" has appeared In that journal, but only where expressly stated is suou news the editorial opinion "The Times.)