23.01.1997

The menace of industrial conscription

From ‘The Call’, paper of the British Socialist Party, January 18 1917

We welcome the manifesto issued by the United Socialist Council of the Independent Labour Party and the British Socialist Party to the trades councils and the local Labour Parties on the menace of industrial conscription.

Its issue under the joint auspices of the two organisations is a step towards coordinating the socialist forces in this country, and we trust that it will be followed by similar united action upon other important matters with which the socialist movement has to deal. The manifesto itself is a striking pronouncement, and it is to be hoped that it will receive the serious consideration of the bodies to whom it is addressed, and that they will act on the suggestion it makes ...

It boldly challenges the contention that industrial conscription is necessary for the continuation of the war by challenging the necessity for continuing the war: “The answer which labour should give to the government proposal to impose industrial conscription,” it states, “is to demand to know how long the war is to go on, and what working class interests can be served by its continuance. What working class interests are to be served by the acquisition of Constantinople by Russia, or of the eastern side of the Adriatic by Italy?”

“Are you prepared,” it asks the workers, “for these purposes to see the breaking up of your organisation and to place yourselves defenceless at the disposition of the governing classes?”

It recalls the manner in which military conscription was introduced with the concurrence of the Labour leaders, and warns the organised workers that if industrial conscription is put into force the responsibility will rest upon them as having the power, if they are disposed to use it, to prevent such a disaster.

It concludes with an urgent appeal to the organised workers to spare no effort to avert the crowning disgrace and defeat of the British working class movement.