15 October 1915
Hillside
Vestry Rd
Walthamstow
15.10.15.
Dear Macdonald,

I find that the situation in South Africa is slightly different
in regard to the expulsion from the Party of certain members
from what I told you yesterday afternoon. At a Special Conference
of the S. A. Labour Party held in Johannesburg on August 22nd
it was decided to adopt Mr. Creswell's "see it through" policy
in regard to the war." Ever since the beginning of the war
the Party had been working on a basis adopted last December by
the Annual Conference of the Party, namely, that each member
should be free to follow the dictates of his own reason and conscience.
At that Annual Conference the Executive Committee of the Party,
consisting of fifteen members, was elected, eleven holding anti-war
views. The "see it through policy" has resulted in
those eleven resigning in a body. They consisted of some of
the most prominent and respected members of the party and included
W. H. Andrews9, the Chairman, a vice-chairman, the treasurer
and the secretary.

Andrews, who is a member of the A. S. E., was one of the founders
of the S.A.L.P. He has never wavered in his efforts for the
workers. This man, who refused to support the newly adopted
war policy,
was with other workers threatened with expulsion from the party
if he stood for Parliament without pledging himself to support
that policy. He had prior to the Conference of August 22nd
signed the party pledge to abide by the decisions of the parliamentary
caucus in matters affecting the aims and objects of the party.
After the decision of that conference he asked for the return
of his pledge. Instead of being returned to him it was dramatically
torn up by the Chairman at the meeting. The members of the
Conference
who were opposed to the war, together with their supporting
branches, formed the International Socialist League of the
S.A.L.P.'" Andrews
and one or two others decided that it was necessary to give
the electorate who held anti-war views an opportunity of recording
those views even at the risk of expulsion from the party which
would follow naturally from their standing in opposition to
official
candidates of the party. Andrews with the support of the Georgetown
branch of the S.A.L.P. is standing for his old constituency
Georgetown and dark for Langlaagte which he represents in the
Provincial
Council. To anticipate expulsion from the party for supporting
Andrews + dark the League has definitely seceded from the party,
the secession being followed by a formal vote of expulsion
by the S.A.L.P, Administrative Council.

Mr. Creswell is the prime mover in obtaining the adoption of
the "see it through" policy. Of his own personal
integrity there cannot be the slightest doubt but the same
cannot be said
of many of his supporters who have climbed into office over
the unpopularity of the views of those who were forced to resign.

The position now is that Andrews, all the prominent Labour
members of the Provincial Council, and nearly all the most
active and
self sacrificing members of the party have been expelled from
the body they helped to create while there places have in most
cases been filled by "new chums" who after the success
at the Provincial Council elections joined the party.

I shall not be sailing before the 23rd. If there is anything
you would care to ask me about I shall be glad to come and
see you.

Yours sincerely
F. A. W. Lucas