On This Day, 30 September 1918

Birmingham Daily Post 

Monday 30 September 1918

ADVOCATES OF PEACE BY NEGOTIATION.

CONFERENCE IN BIRMINGHAM.

Resolutions in favour of peace by negotiation were passed on Saturday at a conference at the Priory Rooms, Birmingham. Delegates were present representing 39 religious bodies, 23 trades unions, 10 trades councils and Labour parties, 16 co-operative organisations, and 49 political institutions. Mr. J. H. Barlow, who presided, remarked that those present and represented at that meeting were cordially in favour of, and were deeply desirous of having, a lasting peace, a clean peace, and a just peace, based upon sound principles, recognising the rights of all those nations who were parties to it.

Dr. Henry Hodgkin (London) moved a resolution: “That the time has come seek peace by negotiation,” and urging the Government to take immediate steps in that direction. He criticised the recent speech of the President of the United States, which, he said, was a remarkable example of what might be called the curate’s egg speeches—good in parts. He thought that they would all like to see in Germany a revolution which would show in a dramatic way the change of mind on the part of the people. Even if that revolution did not come he thought they should trust the Germans to the extent of negotiating peace with them. He regarded Mr. Balfour’s speech concerning the Austrian peace offer as unfortunate. If Austria was insincere in the offer made, why should we not sincerely try to find a way to peace? They should tear up the resolutions of the Paris Conference and not endeavour to dictate a peace to Germany because that would only produce other wars. They had to begin the experiment, however dangerous it might be, of trusting our enemy.

Councillor Hackett, in seconding, said he regard the conference as “right and opportune.” The Paris Conference gave to German military leaders a lever greater than anything they could have produced themselves. Secret treaties were a menace to international peace. He would like the Government to state definitely what they were fighting for.

Mr. Joseph E. Southall said that the war was being continued by the serving up of various atrocity stories in each of the belligerent countries. War itself was a colossal atrocity.

Mr Williams (A.S.E., Coventry) said he was totally opposed to the resolution. His society were in favour of carrying on the war as long as the other people were prepared fight. He had heard a lot of very good sentiments and abstract things. To knock out an opponent was something understood by the people, but the sentiments of that meeting were not tangible or practicable.

The resolution with the addendum that the Government “in conjunction with labour” should seek an immediate peace by negotiation was carried with one dissentient.

Mr. R. C. Wallhead (Coventry) moved a resolution appointing a committee “to give voice to the public opinion which is known to exist in favour of peace by negotiation,” remarking that a military victory to either side would be a bad thing for the world.

Dr. R. Dunstan (Labour candidate for the Moseley Division of Birmingham) seconded the resolution, saying he thought a peace by negotiation was the easiest way to put an end to the present atrocious struggle. —The resolution was carried.

Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, M.P., wrote apologising for his absence, which was due to the illness of his father-in-law.