14 SEPTEMBER 1918, Page 3

Although the voting went against Mr. Havelock Wilson in his

attempt to rescue the Trade Unionists from Socialistic and Pacificist control, no one who was present at the Congress, we believe, failed to notice that the leaders whom Mr. Havelock Wilson attacked with so much courage were afraid of him. If they had not been afraid of him, they would have been anxious to have a square vote on the issue he raised. Instead of that, they moved the previous question, and by their votes deprived themselves of the opportunity of voting against Mr. Wilson or of letting Mr. Wilson vote against them. This strategical masterpiece was of that kind which is generally described by plain men and non-Germans as running away. The leaders who ran away from Mr. Wilson will not have much confidence in themselves in future fights. They have not been routed—they even won a nominal victory ; but the path of their retreat is clearly marked out, and they are bound to follow it.