30.10.1997

The Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council

From ‘The Call’, paper of the British Socialist Party, October 25 1917

The election for the two Scottish representatives on the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council has resulted in the return of Messrs John Maclean MA and David Kirkwood.

The first full meeting of the Council has now been held, and the following has been agreed upon as a statement of the objectives of the WSC:

1. The WSC has been formed primarily as a propagandist body, not as a rival to, or to supplant any of the existing working class organisations, but to infuse into them a more active spirit ...

2. The Council strives to create public opinion in favour of a people’s peace on the lines of the Russian declaration of no annexations, no indemnities, and the right of peoples to decide their own destinies, secured by cooperation amongst the democracies ...

3. The Council is determined to check the destruction of independent and political liberties which has taken place during the war, and demands the restoration of the rights of free citizenship to the workers. Further it claims for soldiers and sailors of all ranks the right to take part in every political and independent activity which is necessary to advance their interests as enfranchised citizens.

4. The Council defends the interests of soldiers and sailors and their dependants, and calls for such increases in pay and allowances as will bring them up to the standards paid to the workers in civil industry.

5. The Council aims at the consolidation of the efforts of all working class organisations to obtain an ever increasing share in the wealth produced by the labour of hand and brain, together with control over industry.

6. The Council agitates for effective action to eliminate completely the operations of profiteers and others who are exploiting the needs of the nation and the continuance of the war in their own personal and class interests.

7. The Council ... strives to create public opinion by conferences, meetings, the publication of leaflets, ... its aim being to create, in cooperation with kindred societies in other countries, such a movement as will lead to Labour-Socialist governments being established in every country.

A sub-committee is preparing a manifesto on ‘A plea for a people’s peace’ and a vigorous campaign is about to be inaugurated.

Albert Inkpin
on behalf of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council