LABOUR PEACE AIMS. RECONSTRUCTION. AND RESTORATION,
The Executiva Committee of the British Labour Conference submitted to the special party Conference fast meath the draft of a statement which might, if the special party Conference approved luid before the Inter-Allied Conference on behalf of the Labour Party :--
1.- THE FAIL.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2018, 1917.
KILL-PROBLEM OF THE TURKISH EMPIRE
STATE CONTROL OF TRADE
CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS
OF MERCHANTS.
In view of representations made, by
back to the universally execrated rule of the Turkish Government any subject people which has once been freed from it. various trades regarding the effect of the netion of the British Government in cons Thus, whatever may be proposed with re- gard to Armenia, Mesopotamia, and trolling the sale and distribution of Arabin, they cannot be restored to the leading commodities of common necessity, tyranny of the Sultan and his Pasuas the Marchants Committee of the London The Conference disclaims al) sympathy Chamber of Commerce have made a report with the Imperialist aims of Governments | on the existing position as affecting and capitalists, who would make of these merebants in particular, which has been and other territories now dominated by adopted in principle by the council of the Turkish horde werely instruments the chamber. The following recommenda
If tions are made by the Merchants" -Com- either of exploitation or militarism.
the homes, farms, factories, public build- ings, and means of communication: in The Conference realizes that the whole France, Belgium, the Tyrol and Northoivilized world condemns the handing. Italy, East Prussia, Poland, Galicia, Russia, Roumania, and the other Balkan States. Armenia, and Asia Minor Apart from Belgium, which has already been referred to, the Conference holds that the restoration of these devastated arcas should be undertaken at the expense of an International Fund, to which all the belligerent Governments should be required to contribute in proportions to he agreed upon, having regard among other things to their several responsibili, ties and participation in the damage; that the restoration should not be limited to compensation for public buildings, capitalist undertakings, and material property proved to be destroyed or damaged, but should be extended to set- ting up the wage-earners themselves in war, which has become almost homes sad employment; and that to world wide, bringing misery and desola-osure this full and impartial applicating of these principles the assessment and tion to nearly all nations, has now lasted distribution of the compensation, so far for more than three years. It has already as the coat is contributed by the Inter been the orrasion of one great social national Find, should be made under the revolution in the destruction of Tzardom direction of an International Commis in Bussia, on which the Conference most heartily congratulates the Russian people. It has united, in the defence of demo-
The Conference, in the name of the Sosialist and Labour Parties of the nation now allied against the Govern meats of the Central European Powers, ratifies and reaffirms the declaration un animously agreed to the Conference of the Socialist and Labour. Parties of allied uations on February, 14th, 1915,
Ebc
11.THE PLACE,
sion.
| VL - INQUIRY INTO WRONGDOING.
in these territories it is impracticable, to leave it to the peoples to settle their own destinies the Conference suggests that they should be dealt with in the same way as the Colonies of Tropical: Africa, and placed for administration in the lands of A Commission acting under the Super national Authority or League of Nations. The Conference further suggests that the peace of the world requires that Cou stantinople should be made a free port permanently neutralized and placed (together with both shores of the Dar danelles and possibly some or all of Asia Miner) ander the same impantial ad-
ministration.
:
$1V-COLONIES OF TROPICAL, AFRICA.. With regard to the Colonies of the several vettigerents in Tropical Africa, fromises to sea (north of the Zambesi River and santh of the Sahara Desert), the Conference disclaims all sympathy with the Imperialist idea that thest should form the booty of any nation, should be exploited for the profit of the capitalist, or used for the promotion of the militarist aims of Governments, · · In
the
of
The Conference welcomes the fact that cracy, the Old World and the New; and public feeling will not be satisfer unless the Conference warmly welcomes the a full and free judicial investigation into assistance to the cause of human freedom, the accusations so freely made on all in council no less than on the battlefield, sides that particular Governments have that ig now
being afforded by the ordered, particular officers have American people. So far as the Socialist exercised, and of cruelty, oppression, and Jabour Parties of the Allied nations violence, mid theft against individual are concerned, it is against the ruthless victims, for which no justification can be imperialism of autocratic governments found in the ordinary usages of war. The that the struggle is being waged. The Conference draws attention, in parti- Conference now, as on February 14th,cular, to the loss of life and property, of view of the fact that it is impracticable 1015, asks the people of the several merchant seamen and other non-combat-here to leave the various peoples concern nations, and particularly their Socialist ante (including women and children), re-ed to settle their own destinies, the Con- and Labour comrades in Germany, sulting from the inhuman and ruthless ference suggests that the interests of Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria; ant Turkey, conduct of, the submarine warfare. The humanity would be best served by the full whether it is not possible for the united Conference recommends that it should be and frank abandonment by all the pre nction of the working classes of the world part of the conditions at percent Colonies of the European Power!
int there should be forthwith
Tropical Africa, together with set to bring this monstrous conflict to a sun- mary conclusion conformably to the prin-up a Court of Clains and Accusa- nominally independent Republic ciples of the International,
tions, which should investigate all Liberia, to the proposed Supernational such allegations as may be brought before Authority or League of Nations herein it, summon the accused person or Govern- suggested; and their administration by The Conference cordially welcomes the ment to answer the complaint, to pro-an imperial Commission under that declaration of the Russian Government:nounce judgment, and award compensa-authority, with its own trained staff, as a in agreement with the Council of Work- tion or damages, payable by the in-single independent Africa State, on the man's and Soldiers' Delegates, that the dividual or Government condemned, to principles of (1) the open deur and equal freedom of enterprise to the traders of only satisfactory basis of peace lies in the the persons who had suffered wrong, or to
all nations; (2) Protection of the natives formula of "No anexations and no their heirs.
against exploitation and oppression and indemnition; leaving to each people the
the preservation of their tribal interests: freedom to settle its own destinies." The
The Conference ones more declares that (3) all reverine raised to be expended for Conference.riopeats its determination to the foremost condition of peace must the welfare and development of the resist may attempt to transform this war be the reparation by the German Govern African State itself; and (4) the perman. into a war of conquest, whether what is ment of the wrong admittedly done to ent neutralization of this African State songht to forcibly acquired is teritory Belgium: payment for all the damage and its abstention from participation in or wealth. The only adjustments of that has resulted from this wrong; and international rivalries or any future antional hondaries or national citizen the restoration of Belgium to complete ship of whethe Confesauce can approve and untrammelled independent sovereign- are those that may be arrived at byty, leaving to the decision of the Belgian common agreement for the purpose of sepeople the determination of their own ting this sevorul peoples free to settle future policy in all respects. their own destinies, or of wemoving sonie plain cause or excuse for another war,
ALL THE RUSSIAN DECLARATION.
•
VH. · BELGIUM.
VIL THE BALKANS,
The Conference equally protests against The Conference insists on the restora any perpetuation of the war in the extion to the several peoples of the ter pectation of any Government being able ritories of Serbia and Montenegro. IL to inflict on any nation whatever the suggests that the whole problem of the erashing burden of an indemnity by warenrganization of the administration of of punishment for having caused the the peoples of the Balkan Peninsula might be dealt with by a special conference of their representatives, or by an authorita. tive International Commission, on the basis of (a) the complete freedom of these people to settle their own destinies, in respective of Austrian, Turkish, or other dominion.
IV.--THE LASTE OF TIONS.
IX. --- ALBACE AND LUKKAINË.
X. --ITALY.
and
The Conference declares its warmest sympathy with the people of Italian mace and speech who have been left outside the inconvenient
indefensible! boundaries that have, as a result of the diplomatic agrements of the past, been assigned to the kingdom of Italy, and supports their claim to be united with those of their own race and tongue,
Wars,
XV. ----SUPPLIES AFTER THE WAR. That, in view of the probable world wide shortage, after the war, of export able foodstuffs and raw materials, and of merchant shipping, it is imperative, in order to prevent the most serious hard country or another, that systematic ar ships, and even possible famine, in 'oxe rangements should be made on an inter national basis for the allocation and surplus of these commodities to the dif- qonveyance of the available exportable
ferent countries in proportion, not lo their purchasing powers, but to their several pressing needs; and that, within some time maintain its control of the each country, the Government must for
most indispensable commodities.
XVI-PREVENTION OF ENEMPLOYMENT.
tee
That Government should cease to act a trading intermediary between pro ducers and consumers, but should stilize to the fullest extent the services of the business community.
__That_to_this. end inerchants should be
encouraged to continue to carry or import stocks of commoditien essential to this contry.
That, so far as any control of imports and exports is concerned, the quantities allowed should as far as possible be based upon a fair allocation of quantities among merebants dealing in particular articles, after consultation with repre sentations. Permits should only be grant ed to British and Allied subjects who are legitimate merchants and importers in the trade involved,
That the various control departments should be en-ordinated so far as to secure a uniform system on questions of prin- ciple and to obviate present delays in dealings with licences and permits,
That Control Departments should in all cases be assisted by representative busi- news men nominated by their respectiv trades,
That steps be taken to represent to the Government, to members of Partiament, and the public generally the views set
out in the report of this committee.
The committee draw attention to the. circumstance that since the opening of the war the Government have had powers to regulate the supply and use of com modities necessary for the defence of the realm, and express regret that the Government has not uniformly availed itself of the services of the mercantile. community. The methods adopted, in the judgment of the committee; have failed to produce the maximum of advantages to the State with the minimum of inter- ference with legitimate trade usages and organization.
The main cause of the rise in prices (says the report) has been the shortage of the world's supply, combined with a shortage of shipping tonnage, and the only means of overcoming this is to stimulate production the whole world over by all possible means, and to see that the tonnage available is used to the best purpose: This can best be done by encouraging ordinary trading in every way with a minimum of Government ja- terference. If commerce is rendered in 1
possible or unprofitable it will cease, with disastrous results both now and after the
war.
that the Government should confine their In conclusion, the committee submit
action strictly to supervision, and that they should centralize the controlling authority and disband and do away with which are now seriously restricting legiti. the numerous anco-ordinated departments
mato trade."
Appendices attached to the report con- tain information from the pig-iron, tin- plate, steel, copper, scrap copper, lead, wool, yarn, timber, and diamond industries.
The
The Conference ac-
Of all the war aims, nose is so import ant to the peoples of the world as that there should be henceforth on earth no more war. Whoever triumphs the world will have lost, unless some effective method of preventing war can be found. As a means to this end the Conference
The Conference rearms its reprobation
The Conference cannot but anticipate relics very largely upon the complete of the crime against the peace of the that, in all countries without exception, democratization of all countries, includ world by which Alsace and Lorraine were the dislocation of industry attendant en ing Germany and Austria-Hungary, forcibly torn from France in 1871, a peace, the instant discharge of millions of which now canno: fail to place themselves political blunder the effects of which have munition makers and workers in war in line with other citilized nations; en contributed in no small degree to the trades, and the demobilization of millions by any country, would inevitably lead to the frank abandonment of every form of continuance of unrest and the growth of of soldiers in face of the scarcity of reprisals, to which each nation in turn
imperialism on the suppression of militarism in Europe; and the Confer industrial capital and the insecurity might in self-defence be driven. secret diplomacy and the placing offence, profoundly sympathizing with the of commercial enterprise-will, unless Conference realize that all such attempts foreign policy, just na mach as home unfortunate inhabitants of Alsace and prompt and energetic action be taken by at economie aggression, whether by pro- policy, under the cuntal of popularly Lorraine who have been spbjected to so
the several Govenecats, plunge a large tective tariffs or capitalist trusta or mono. elected legislatures; on the absolute re much repression, asks that they shall be part of the wage-earning population polies, inevitably result in the spoliation sponsibility of the Foreign Minister of allowed to satisfy their inflexible desire
into all the miseries of unemployment of the working classes of the several cOUD. each country so its legislature: cnch for restoration to the French Republic.
more or less prolonged. In view of the tries for the profit of the capitalists; and concerted action as may be possible for
fact that widespread - unemployment in the Conference sees in the alliance be-i the cuminon haitation of the costly
any country, like a famine, is an injury tween the Military Imperialists and the armaments by which all the peoples are
not to that country alone, but im-
Fiscal Protectionists in any country what- burdened, and upon the entire abolition
poverishes also the rest of the world, soever not only a serious danger to the of profit-making armanent rms, whoes
of every Government to take immediate but also a grave menace to pease. On the the Conference holds that is the duty prosperity of the masses of the people, pecuniary interest lies always in war mares and rivalry in preparation for
action, not merely to relieve the unem- other hand, the right of each nation to war. But the Conference demands, in
ployed, when unemployment has set in the defence of its own economic interests addition, that it should be an essential
but actually, so far as may be practicable, cannot be denied. candition of the Treaty of Peace itself
present the occurrence of unemploy cordingly urges upon the Socialist, and that there should be forthwith established
ment. The Conference, therefore, urges Labour Parties of all countries the im a supernational authority, or League of
upon the Socialist and Labour Parties of portance of insisting, in the attitude of Nations, which should not only be adher
every country the necessity of their pres- the Government towards commercial en. With regard to the other cases in dis-sing upon their Governments the prepara-terprise, on the principle of the open door, ed to by all the present, belligerente, but which every other independent sovereign, pute, from Luxemburg on the one hand, of tion of plans for the execution of all the on Customs duties being limited strictly State in the world should be pressed to which the independence has been tem
innumerable public works (such as the
to revenue purposes, and on their being oin; the immediate establishment by porarily destroyed, to the lands Dow
making and repairing of roads and rail-no hostile discrimination against foreign such League of Natione not only of an under foreign domination inhabited by buildings, the provision of working-class equally the importance of the utmost ways, the erection of schools and public countries. But the Conference urges International High Court for the settle other races the outstanding example ment of all disputes between Slates that being that of the Poles-the Conference dwellings, asd the reclamation and affore possible development by appropriate ace of justiciable nature, but also of apreling ng the only way of achieving a last station of land) that will be required in Government action of the resource propriate machiners for prompt and ing settlement on the application of the the near future, not for the sake of of
every matry for the benefit ollective mediation between Sinies in principle of allowing each people to settle fading measures of relief for the un-not only of its own people, but also of issues that are not justiciable; the foring its own destiny.
employed, but with a view to these works the world, and the need of an inter- being undertaken at such a rate in each national agreement for the enforcement in tios of an International Legislature in. which the representatives of every
entity as will suffice, together with the all countries of the legislation on factory civilized State would have their allotted
The Conference demands for the Jews various capitalist enterprises that may conditions, hours of labour, and the pre- ghare; the gradual development, us far as of all countries the same elementary form level year by year, and throughout trades necessary to protect the workers in progress. to maintain at a fairly, univention of "sweating" and unhealthy may prove to be possible, of Inter- rights of tolerance, freedom of residence each year, the aggregate demand for gainst exploitation and oppression: national legislation agreed to by and de- and tradu, and equal citizenship, that Kuitely binding upon the several States; ought to be extended to all the inhabit-labour, and thus prevent there being any and for a solema agreer nt and pledge ants of every nation. But the Confer-employment. by all States that every issue between once further expresses the hope that it any two or more of them shall be sub-may be practicable by agreement among mitteal for settlement as aforesaid. and all the nations to set free Palestine from projects now being prepared by Insecure if the Socialist International is
The Conference declare, against all the that they will all make common cause the harsh and oppressive government of against any State which fails to adhere the Turk, in order that this country may perialists and capitalists, not in any one
form a free State under international entry ouly, but in practically all coun
to this agreement.
XI-POLAND, ETC.
III. THE JF&B AND PALESTINE,
IVIL RCONOMIC RELATIONS,
XVIIL THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL, The Conference declares that the pro posals made for the security of peace in this memorandum will be made more reconstituted.
-XIX,—THE BİSIS OF AGRZEMENT, The Conference bolds that agreement
V. RESTORATION OF DEVASTATED AREAS. guarantee, to which such of the Jewishes for an economic war after peace has The Conference holds that one of the people as desire to do so, may return, and foreign nation or against all foreign among the warring Governments can be
been secured, éither against one or other most imperative duties of all countries may work, ont their own salvation fro nations. Such an economie war; it begun secured only by a tree and frank discus- immediately peace is declared will be the from interference by those of alien race
religion.
(Continued at foot of next column.) aestoration, so far as may be possible, of or
sion of each other's claims and desires.
LLOYD
GEORGE
says
“I want to see your cheques come hurtling through the air"
A five
or ten dollar Note
EACH MONTH
will do.
THE WAR SAVINGS
THEY
Say So.
ASSOCIATION
"REVEL" IN THEM.
You are not FIGHTING, are you?
Then get busy with your "HURTLING.".
Address:-
THE HONGKONG AND SOUTH CHINA WAE
Savings... AssOCIATION.
Hon. Secretaries and Treasure) 8-
THE UNION INSURANCE SOCIETY OF CANTON, LTD.,
Queen's Building, Hongkong.
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