The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-12-07
EUROPEAN ANTI MuITARISM
A CHALLENGE TO GOVERNMENTS
Samuel Gompers Declares that All Europe at This
Moment is Actually at Wharf.-The War is On. Con-
tinual'y, Up to the Point of Beginning
the Killing
downright. 1909. by p. S. Ridsdale
for Samuel Gompers.)
Washington. Nov. IS, 1909.

9nCnl tIuuCItlAJ oA 4 oIllCI c1lCH De-
tween the Old World and the New in
social and political atmosphere" If
this quality interprets itself in the
topics up for popular discussion, the
way they are debated, and the means
by which governing opinion brings
about common action. it must be
said that especially the atmosphere
of the labor and social reform move
ment in Europe differs widely from
hat in America. Conditions of organi-
cation. suffrage. rights. legal standing.
education, nationality and standards
of living differ-necessarily distinctive
proposals for Immediate changes char
acteristize each European country.
But. apart from these, certain senti-
ments and ideas, affecting US but little
in America. play a highly important
part in the general unrest of Europe.
First to be noted is the extent to
which the anti-war feeling prevails
among the working classes. There is.
Of, course. a growing anti-War senti-
ment among our own people. But as
responded to by our working people
in general, the sentiment manifeSts
itself as a principle and as an express
sion of sympathy with our brothers
abroad rather than the announcement
Of a settled determination to oppose
all war, at all hazards.
IN EUROPE li-fIiiIltdIiSi SiSIIlltS
a challenge by the workers to gov
ernments, a defiance of the classes
hat stand to wiz much and losing lit
tie by the killing of thousands OF COM
mon soldiers in battle. and a deep
seated resolve to refuse to take the
last step in what is termed military
duty.'-that is for one set Of laborerS
to shoot down on the field of n
other equally well-meaning and
supplemented toilerS betWeen whom
n themselves there should exist In
his age OF conscience and
general enlightenment a fraternity
strengthened by a common suffering
In America were we to believe n
mention is occasionally made in our
European press dispatches on the sub
ject, a few fanatics such as Heryee
among the French depicted are re-
sponsible for the unwarranted denun-
citation of war and militarism. But,
while Heryee and his kind nay pro-
vide the strong story stuff Of report
ers' lively pens. to amuse shallow
thousands Of miles away from
the theatre of the agitation. h mas
ter players at the game Of statesman
ship who stand read to plunge the
nations into the frightful arena Of
slaughter know full we'll that their
next order ITO The 'FRONT.' is to be
followed Immediately by demonstra-
tions for a by the masses of the
countries involved that will mark a
new era IN the annals OIL europe.
To appreciate what may happier in
regard to this. we On this side of the
Atlantic must realize that all Europe
at this m is actually at war. And
this has been the case permanently
during the lives Of every n of the
present generation. A class made
dp of all the a~ble-bodied youths OF
swenty years goes, by force, into the
armies Of the nations every year. The
most completely and surely successful
business undertakings In all European
countries are those which provide war
naterial-guns. ships. accoutrements.
provisions. The dominant social and
political element has as Its backbon.
he army officers whose trade is to
,bey either in defense or aggres-
don. The war Is on. continually.
up to the point of beginning the
killing. Society's pulse indicating the
effects of this warfare Is in the STOCK
exchange. From his fact arises the
Importance of every press mention OF
he alliances" the movements Of the
3rowned heads, the speeches or prime
minister's, the avowais OF high army
officers, the international incidents,
many bits of news which to the aV-
erage American bear little Importance.
To the subject Of any country In Eu-
rope. items Of this character may
signify coming success or failure. JOY
Or sorrow. His business, In which MS
all is invested. may soon be IN Danger
OF being wiped out: his boy. who is IN
the army. may In a few week be sent
to his death on the battle field. 10
the great masses Of the nations. the
wage arner this situation or 1nceS-
SAINT and senseless hostility has become
tntolerable. They intend to resist
~stubbornly any reckless heads OF state
that may set out to employ them as
mere counters in q clash Of force over
questions which are alien to their own
great question Of social justice. On
this point 1.-The Workingman mas no
country"
Every one OF the International con-
crosses Of the various trade unions
and other working class organizations