Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-20
MIGHT FORCE ENLISTMENT
English Parliamentary Committee
So Informs Trade Unionists.
WOULD MEAN MILITARISM
In Event Men Do Not Voluntarily
Rise to Army Needs Government
May Have to Resort to
COnscript.

LONDON, Sep. 1.-THE parliamentary
committee of the Trades Union congress,
after a two days conference, today issued
a manifesto to trade unionists of the
country on the war. The committee was
especially gratified at the manner in
which the labor party in the House of
Commons responded to the appeal made
to all parties to help in the defense Of
the country.
The manifesto proceeds, THE commit
tee is convinced that one important factor
in the present struggle is, that in event
of the voluntary system of military serv-
ice falling, the demand for national
system of compulsory military service will
not only be made with redoubted vigor,
but may prove to be so persistent and
strong as to become irresistible. The pros
pect of having to face CONSUMPTION, with
its permanent and heavy burden upon the
financial resources of the country, and
its equally burdensome effect upon nearly
the whole of its industries, should in it.
self stimulate the manhood of the nation
to come forward in it's defense, and
thereby demonstrate to the world that
free people can rise to the supreme
heights Of a great sacrifice without the
whip OF CONSUMPTION.
Another factor to be remembered is
that upon the result of the struggle in
which this country is now engaged rests
the preservation and maintenance OF free
and unfettered democratic government
which in it's international relationships
has in the past been recognized and must
unquestiohably prove to be the best
guarantee for preservation of the peace
of the world.
Hard on the People.
THE mere contemplation of the over
bearing and brutal methods to which peo-
ple have to submit under a government
controlled by a military autocracy living
as it were, continually under the threat
and shadow of war should be sufficient
TO arouse the enthusiasm of the nation In
resisting to impose similar conditions
upon countries at present free from mill
! tary despotism.
But II men have a duty to perform
| in the common interest Of the state
equally the state owes duty TO those oil
| it's citizens who are prepared and readily
prepared to make sacrifices in its de-
| Tense and for the maintenance OF Its
! honor. Citizens called upon to voluntarily
leave their employment and their homes
for the purpose Of undertaking military
duties have a right to receive at tbs
hands of the state reasonable and as
sured recompense, not so much for them
| selves as for those who are dependent
| upon them, and no single member OF the
community would do otherwise than up
hold a government which in such an i'm
portant and vital matter took liberia
and even generous view of its respons
bilities towards those citizens who CONT
forward to assist in the defense of thei
country. We respectfully commend thii
suggestion to the favorable consideration
of the government of the day.
Long life to the free institutions o.
all democratically governed countries"
The committee considered the advisa
bility Of holding the Trades Union con
gTess this year, but announced that II
the present condition of affairs 1t wa
impossible 10 fix a date.