Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 29 July 1918

Blow At The Allies.

Mr G. H, Roberts Criticism of The Strikers.

Mr. G. H. Roberts, M.P., Minister of Labour, speaking yesterday afternoon to a large gathering at the annual hospital demonstration at Swinton, made a rousing appeal to patriotism.

He said there were a few people who suggested that this was a capitalistic war. It was as much a fight for the well-being of the working classes for that of any other class, and if the Germans won, all the dreams and aspirations of the British workers would vanish into thin air, and should be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the most brutalised race of men history had ever known. (Applause.)

Referring to the embargo strike, Mr. Roberts said the men who had come out were striking a great blow at the Allied cause.

“I am told,” continued, ‘‘that they may bring the miners of Great Britain out. They won’t do that. The miners are among the best patriots have, and will not be misled in this fashion. We are at the turn of the tide. We can, if we will, effect a great victory, and it remarkable that whenever things are going in our favour we hear most of this love-the-Germans talk and have strikes fomented and trouble caused, just as though there were men in this country acting directly under Hindenburg’s orders.

We have now a chance of beating the Hun, but if our splendid fellows are not kept supplied with munitions he will beat us. not in his own strength, but out of our weakness. I beg you to associate yourselves actively with all the patriotic elements in the country. I am told that the miners here and there want to negotiate with the Germans. I don’t believe it. Some so-called leaders may want a Continental trip or little personal notoriety, but the miner wants to have nothing to do with the Hun. He hates the Hun as thoroughly as I do. I appeal to the miners not to allow themselves to be misrepresented.”

Mr. Roberts added that he did not subscribe to the formula of “no annexations and no indemnities.” Germany was going to be beaten, and thoroughly that she would have to admit to the world that she was vanquished, and would have make reparation to her victims, and to the Allied peoples for this horror into which she had precipitated them.

In conclusion, he appealed for unity not only during the war, but after the war. Liberalism. Conservatism, Socialism, Labourism—these things would not of themselves make Britain a better place for the men who had been through the fiery furnace for Britain’s sake. They should be united in a common purpose after the war, the promotion of a healthier and happier commonwealth.

Mr. William Hague, of Swinton House, presided over a strong “platform,” and the gathering was very successful, about £100 being raised.