BERNE CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 114, 7 February 1919, Page 5

BERNE CONFERENCE

ITS INFLUENCE ON THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS MAJORITY SOCIALISTS' WAR ATTITUDE: J.' By Telegraph-Press Assoeia-tionyCopyright (Eec. February G, 9.10 p.m.) Berne, February 5. At the International Socialist Conference Mr. Arthur Henderson.i6. reported to have said in n speech that the object of the conference is to bring the greatest measure of influence to bear on the peace negotiations. ■ Herr Branting was elected chairman. Mr. Huysmans. announced that there were eighty-two delegates present, and others were coming. Only Switzerland! and Belgium had refused to participate. 31. Albert Thomas said that a .great step had been made.' by the'countries winch were recently enemies meeting together. Hβ pointed out the tremendous difference between the Majority Socialists in Germany and the Socialists of other countries. The latter could not understand the former's attitude at the outbreak of the war and their compliance with the acts of the German Government. Nothing could lie'done until the Majority Socialists expressed their, opinion of the crimes committed.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Asjn. RESPONSIBILITTFOR THE WAR (Bee. February 0, 11.40. .p.m.) Berne, February 1 _ A ferture of the Socialist Conference is the decision to inquire who is resrxm- : sible for the war. The Frenoh <lele-, gates quoted many facts showing Germany to be wholly TespoKible, and they sarcastically referred to the part played by the German Majority Socialists. Wels,. in reply, alleged' that Eussia. was Tespon-x Bible, and dwelt upon the terrible effects ; of the blockade. He promised -that the old regime in Germany would never Ko restored.—Renter. GERMAN DELEGATES' DEMANDS DESIRE RETENTION OF CONSCRIB TION. (Rec. September 6, 7.25 p.m.) '■ Berne, February 5. \ At the Socialist Conference the German," delegates _ were hostile to the Allied Tfr». presentatives. Scheidemann's W«l9, Muller, and Molkenbulr, refuse W, sanction the formal blame of the late German Government, and will demands 1 the return of the colonies, a plebiscite in} Alsace-Lorraine, and resist any attempt; at the abolition of conscription in Gew many.—'The Times."

ABSENCE OF THE BELGIANS DUE TO RESENTMENT CAUSED BY SUFFERING. • , (Eec. February 6, 11.40 p.m.) Brussels, Februarr 4. M. Venderbilt, in. a letter resigning, the presidency of the Intenwtional So-f cialist Bureau, owing to the decision of( tho Belgian Labour Party, not to partici-' pate in the Berne Conference, while re- , gretting that the Belgian Labour Paity is not sharing in tho constitution of the neir international lairs,.says tlie resent--) lnent caused by four ycars ,v suffering was ! irresistible.—Reutier.. ' :