The Dominion. THUESDAY, JULY 25, 1918. A PEOPLE'S PEACE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 263, 25 July 1918, Page 6

The Dominion. THUESDAY, JULY 25, 1918. A PEOPLE'S PEACE

"It is monstrous to think wo should impose no indemnities for the fiendish crimes Germany lias committed on sea and land." This statement by Mr. John Hodge, the British Minister of Pensions, is so manifestly in accordance with the principles of justice that it is hard to imagine by what process of reasoning anyone could attempt to controvert it. But there are people who contend that no punishment whatever should be meted out to Germany. The sinking of tho Lusitania, the murders of Nubsb Cavell and Captain Fryatt, the wanton destruction of French and Belgian towns, the torpedoing of hospital-ships and the bombing of hospitals, the systematic .slaughter of non-combatants (men, women, and children) by German submarines, the deportation of French and Belgian women—are all theso, h <md scores of other ghastly crimes committed by the enemy, to be condoned? The very idea is preposterous. Such outrageous folly would strike justice a smashing blow in the face. It is no wonder that Mr. Hodge feels that ho cannot support any programme which disapproves of making the Germans pay a fitting penalty. Retributive justice declares that "punishment is the other half of crime," and any policy which deliberately flouts this fundamental moral principle- must have disastruus consequences. Unpunished crime is an incentive to lawlessness. Though Mr. Hodge has found ifc necessary to sever his connection with the British Labour Party on account of its desire to save Germany from the proper penalty of her foul deeds, it is quite certain that his views will have the wholehearted .approval of the overwhelming majority of the industrial population of Britain. He undoubtedly voices the opinions of Labour more accurately than the official Labour Party. For some time past there has been a split in the party, and there ;irc unmistakablo sinms that fclic hrei'ch is widening. The ■nil stand made by Mu. Honnv; will lia-ve a good effect. He boldly assails the wai policy of the and challenges their claim to speak 'h.) mind of Labour. Mr. Appleton, secretary of tho General Federation of Trades Unionists, joins Mn. Hodge in revolt against tho controllers of tlvs party machine, and asserts that the puidanco of the British Labour movement is being handed over to men who really do noli belong to it, and whoso chief object seems to be to build up after tho war a position for themselves in enemy countries. But the workers oE Britain have no intention of clasping the enemy's hand while it still drips with the blood of their comrades. In spite of what the official Labour Patty may Bay, tho

sense of justice of the rank and fileof the Lpsour organisations will compel them to demand that Germany shai! be required to suffer retribution and to make restitution.

Tho workers of the .British Empire juc fighting for a people's peace. The alternative is a German peace such as Russia- and Rumania are now cursed with. A people's peace was recently defined by Mi:. J. 11. Clynes, M.P., in his presidential address at the National Union of Gener.il Workers. It would, he said, provide for the security of democratic communities, and obtain terms which would allow both great _ and small nations to have, tk-ir quarrels adjusted through some such medium as a L-eague of i Nations. These ends cannot be secured by appealing to the conscience of Germany or by yielding to her militarist leaders. Nor can they bo obtained by assuring Germany.that she will not lie punished for her crimes. Mr, CiiVNES declared that a people's peace cannot, be secured unless Labour continues loyally to back up the country in resisting German aggression and in proving to the German people that war is not only a crime, but is the. key to bitter and enduring losses to those who cmfllov this method when, national quarrels arise. Every genuine democrat 1 must agree with President Wilson's assertion that tiro AUios must fkhfc on with all their mifrht until they are in a position to ensure that the world will bo made safe for democracy. American Labour is solidly "supporting the President's action and policy. Mr. Gomprds. President of the American Federation of Labour, says that he, who was once an uHranacifist. is now a red-blooded fighting man, and that American workers are fiphting men. He has no time for peace conferences with representatives of enemv countries. He explains bis trait-ion in these unmistakable words:

I say to the Kaiser, T sny to the fternians, in the name of the Amer>nn labour movempnt: "You can't talk ppncp with Am"rican workers; you can't talk peace with us; yon can't' talk peace to us at all now. We am fighting now. Either you your Kaiser nu'ncracy or we will emneh it for vou." Yes, wp pn.y to the Gentians; "i>t you out of ?rnnce. out of P™-tyn, out of TMsjium. e."d back into Glermany, and Hipii perliins we'll till),- neaee terms witli you. But we won't before vou ilo that "

It is almost imnossiblo to lrli"vc that anyone claiming to sneak for democracy could suggest that we should endeavour to obtain peace bv bargainimr with "the great autocrat of all times, the modern buccaneer of , the wor'd, an intellectual scientific murderer." The real P-ritish worker is just as dot'-rmiped as his American comrades that this war must bo won outright and fhat a people's peace must be established. There is no pniiinvinp Mn. Lloyd '"Vouge's emphatic opinion tK''t there is no outlet from the stnurrie consistent with national honour, with national safety, and the liberlies of the world, except a complete victory.