The International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart, which concluded its meetings
last Saturday, was marked by a series of lively scenes. In spite of the recent vote at the French Socialist Congress at Nancy, where by 251 votes to 23 a resolution was passed affirming the universal duty of citizens to defend their country against attack, M. Herve declared that it was the duty of soldiers to desert, and even revolt, in time of war. This doctrine was vehemently denounced by Herr Bebel, who declared that it not only compromised Socialism, but endangered peace, as well as by Herr von Vollmer, who denied that internationalism meant anti-nationalism. The resolution recognising the value of colonies, which had been voted by the majority of the Colonial Commission, led to a stormy debate, in which the Revisionists were violently attacked by the extremists, who eventually carried the day. We may add that Mr. Quelch, who was expelled by the Wiirtemberg Government for his violent abuse of the Hague diplomatists, by his cheaply purchased " martyr- dom " somewhat restored the reputation of the British dele- gates, which had been seriously impaired by their internal wrangles.
Previous page
