Dissenting Labour Leaders The Labour Party as a whole, both
in its political and its industrial organisation, has thrown its weight on the side of the Government in regard to its action on behalf of League principles and collective security: But the crisis reveals the weakness of Labour leadership. Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Ponsonby and Mr. Lansbury himself all dissent from the party view. The position of Lord Ponsonby and Mr. Lansbury is at least intelligible and worthy of respect. It is that of uncompromising pacifists who do not believe in fighting even in support of right. Sir Stafford Cripps's view is far less simple. A little time ago he was prepared to urge the use of " armed forces if necessary " to check the ambitions of Japan ; he de- nounces their use today because the League of Nations is a " sham." He is not opposed to the use of force as such, but he would only employ it in support of Socialist order against capitalist aggression. He does not, it appears, think that peace is worth preserving when Socialist Governments arc not in power ; or that any evil is worth combatting till he has completely and everywhere eradicated the evil of capitalism. Therein he is much more uncomproniising than the rulers of Soviet Russia. • * *
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