| Main Performers | C T Cramp (President of the NUR, (Chairman),
J H Thomas MP (Secretary of the NUR),
George Lansbury - speakers,
Mr O'Leary (President of the London District Council of the NUR),
Mr W T Foote, (Secretary)
Mr Robert Williams, (organiser of the Transport Workers Union), speakers,
Ada Crossley - vocal, |
| Performance Notes | 'A Mass meeting of trade unionists to consider Labour's part in the peace was held at the Royal Albert Hall last night. The hall was crowded, and for half an hour before speaking began an organ recital was given by Mr Charles Warner. After one of the solos a cry was raised for 'The Red Flag', followed by 'Three cheers for the Bolshevists' and for the German revolution. A red banner was taken on the platform, on which the inscription 'Workers of the World', unite', after which J Connell's socialist song 'We'll keep the Red Flag Flying here' was sung with enthusiasm. JH Thomas MP, argued 'This must be a peace that applied to one nation at the expense of another - not a peace determined in the passion and spirit of war, but in the calmer atmosphere of reason and justice.'
"This peace must not be a peace that applied to one nation at the expense of another - not a peace determined in the passion and spirit of war, but in the calmer atmosphere of reason and justice. (Cheers) Was such a person within sight? He honestly believed it was (cheers), and that that peace was outlined in President Wilson's terms." (Mr Thomas MP, The Times, 4 November 1918)
The following resolution was passed:-
That this mass meeting of workers welcomes the fact that an opportunity to make a lasting and just peace now appears at hand, and demands for organised labour an effective voice in the peace negotiations. We support as a basis for the settlement the 14 points laid down by President Wilson and endorsed by Mr Lloyd George in his speech to the American Troops on July 5. We also demand , that those responsible for crimes committed against humanity and international law shall be brought to the bar of justice, that full reparation and compensation shall be paid for injury to life and property on sea and land. We further demand the repeal of conscription and the restoration of civil liberties." |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1918/45) |