It was however agreed that the matter could not end thus, and a members’ meeting was fixed for December 8th, at Clifford’s Inn Hall, when S.G.  Hobson moved a long resolution declaring it essential that the attitude of the Society in regard to the war should be clearly asserted, and concluding:  “The Fabian Society therefore formally dissociates itself from the Imperialism of Capitalism and vainglorious Nationalism and pledges itself to support the expansion of the Empire only in so far as it may be compatible with the expansion of that higher social organisation which this Society was founded to promote.”

Bernard Shaw, on behalf of the Executive Committee, moved a long reasoned amendment declaring that a parliamentary vote was not worth fighting about, demanding that at the conclusion of the war measures be taken for securing the value of the Transvaal mines for the public, and that the interests of the miners be safeguarded.  The amendment was barely relevant to the issue, and notwithstanding influential support it was defeated by 58 to 27.  Thereupon the “previous question” was moved and carried by 59 to 50.  This inconclusive result revealed a great diversity of opinion in the Society, and the Executive Committee, for the first and, so far, the only time, availed itself of the rule which authorised it to submit any question to a postal referendum of all the members.

The question submitted in February, 1900, was this:  “Are you in favour of an official pronouncement being made now by the Fabian Society on Imperialism in relation to the War?” and on the paper published in the “News” were printed four reasons on one side and five on the other, drafted by those members of the Executive who advocated each policy.  On the one hand it was argued that the Society should resist aggressive capitalism and militarism, thus putting itself into line with international socialism, and that expenditure on the war would postpone social reform.  On the other it was contended that the question was outside the province of the Society, that a resolution by the Society would carry no weight, would not stop the war, and might have a serious effect on the solidarity of the Society itself.  The vote excited great interest:  an appeal to the electorate to vote Yes, worded with much moderation, was issued by Walter Crane, S.G.  Hobson, Charles Charrington, F. Lawson Dodd, J. Frederick Green, George N. Barnes, Will Crooks, Henry S. Salt, Dr. John Clifford, Mrs. Mallet, Clement Edwards, Mrs. J.R.  Macdonald and others; to which a reply was sent, signed only by members of the Executive, Bernard Shaw, Sidney Webb, Hubert Bland, J.F.  Oakeshott, H.W.  Macrosty and one or two others.  Finally a rejoinder by the signatories of the first circular was issued in the course of the poll which extended over nearly a month.  The membership at the time was about 800, of whom 50 lived abroad, and in all only 476 votes were cast, 217 in favour of a pronouncement and 259 against.