Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-18
TRADE UNIONISTS
URGED TO RALLY TO
ENGLAND'S DEFENCE
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
London, Sept. 1.-THE Parliament
airy committee of the Trades Union
Congress. after a two-days confer
ence 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 Com
mons responded to the appeal made to
all political parties to help in the de-
fence of the country.
The manifesto proceeds: THE COM
mittee is convinced that one import
ant factor in the present struggle is,
that in event of the voluntary system
of military service failing, the demand
for national system of compulsory
military service will not only be made
with redoubled vigor, but may prove
to be so persistent and strong as to
become irresistible. The prospect of
having to face CONSUMPTION, with its
permanent and heavy burden upon
the nancial resources of the country,
and it's equally burdensome effect up
on nearly the whole of its industries,
should in itself stimulate the man.
hood of the nation TO come forward in
its defense. and thereby demonstrate
to the world that free people can
rise to the supreme heights of a great
sacrifice without the whip of con-
scription.
Another factor to be remembered
is that upon the result of the strug-
gle in which this country is now en-
gagged rests the preservation and
maintenance of free and unfettered
democratic government, which in its
International relationships has in the
past been recognized and must un-
questionably prove to be the best
guarantee for preservation of the
peace of the world.
THE mere contemplation of the
overbearing and brutal methods to
which people have to submit under
government controlled by a military
autocracy living as it were. contin
uously under the threat and shadow of
war should be sufficient to arouse the
any attempt to impose similar con-
ditions upon countries at present free
from military despotism.
But If men have duty to perform
in the common interest of the State,
Equally the STATE owes uutS To those
of it scitizens who are prepared and
readily prepared to make sacrifices in
its defence and for the maintenance
of its honor Citizens called upon
to voluntarily leave their emplo yment
and their homes for the purpose of
undertaking military duties have a
right to receive at the hands of the
state a reasonable and assured rec
ompense, not so much for themselves
as for those who are dependent upon
them. and no single member of the
community would do otherwise than
uphold a government which in such
an important and vital matter took
liberal and even generous view OF
it Responsibilities towards those citi-
zens who come forward to assist in
the defence of their country. We
respectfully commend this suggestion
to the favorable consideration of the
government of the day.
Long life to the free institutions
of all democratically governed coun-
tries"
The committee considered the adj
visibility of holding the Trades Tn
ion Congress this year, but announced
that in the present condition of ar
fairs it was impossible to fix a date.