The Washington times., 1914-09-07
GOMPERS FORESEES
! UNIVERSAL PEACE
Labor Chief Declares Present
European War Is Conflict for
Aggrandizement.

PLATTSBURG, y. Y, Sept. II nj
1ersaI neace will be the outcome of the
European war, in the opinion of Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor. who spoke here to-
day on the observance OF 100 years OF
peace with England.
Mr.. Gompers intimated thai the great
conflict now raging IN Europe Is one or
akgrandizement and conGuest-'a var
10 divert people from their constructive
work of humanizing and democratlzins
tendencies" He added that II Will
mean. however, the vanQuishment OF
autocracy, the emergence OF a society
in which the people shall be supreme,
and in which mems thought shall be
given to the things Of peace.
In the general reorganization that
will follow the war. he said. the
workers must have voice and influence.
That voice and that influence have ever
heen used for liberty, Justice. and hu-
manity.''
Labor Day is vitaIly associated with
the interests of peace, according to Mr..
Gompers. as the labor movement is de-
rendent upon the maintenance of peace
for its existence and operation.
Describes Conditions.
fore the European war was developed
Civilization hal been pressing home
the sacnedness of human life upon he
concerned itself with the problems of
life that men might know themselves
and the world in which they live in
order &c gain better mastery over the
clements and conditions. Science had
sought to wrest from nature under
standing Of life that men might have
life more abundantly.
1t had studied the nature and causes
Of disease in order to conserve and safe
Eusrd human life. Trained minds were
1orces to bring them under the control
OF the will of mankind. They had
harnessed the waters and the winds to
the wheels of civilization. Minds rich
m culture and love of humanity were
studying the ills OF society that every
child might have the right to be we'll
born, to develop its full physical stature
and to cultivate Its mental and moral
possibilities. In all things the purpose
OF civilization had been to glorify and
enrich the lives Of the people-all of
the people.
Years of Study.
There were minds that were Just
upon the verge of giving the world the
rich harvest of years of thought and
study. There were hearts disciplined
by life and understanding that vera
ready to interpret the beauty and the |
truth of life in the worlds poetry.
There were souls that were ready To |
voice the heart of things in music
There were fingers whose skill could |
There were the yeomanry in the fields. |
the factories and the workshops giving |
al that was of value in muscle and in |
mind to the production of things neces-
sary for the maintenance of life and |
civilization
These-all these-have been sacrificed
TO the service OF the war lords. In |
mad moment the countries of Europe |
are savagely condemning to terrible suf-
ering and hardships and almost certain
death these lives and talents that have
1een saved, cultivated, and enriched at
the expense of so much thought and
effort. Bodies that have been protected |
ny sanitary regulations secured after
observed by short workdays: young
men that represent so much in sacri-
fees, in aspirations and possibilities, are
now part Of the marvellous machinery
Of war and devastation
Can this be our boasted civilization?
Tan this be the Europe of which Tenny-
son sang: Better hundred years of =:
Europe than cycle of Cathay?"
All Abhor Cruelty. :
fesh. is a terrible thing There Is no; $
a man marching or fighting now in )
the battalions of Europe who does not
2 bhor cruelt.' and sayagery. Yet let
Us not for an instant forget the whiri
and the thrill of war the compelling .
that attracts all to war even I
while it repefs; the wonderful emotion s
hat leaps TO life in men when the r
'atherland is in danger that subord- 4
mates all else TO the high allegiance OF
service to country; the thrill and the
Tonder Of it all as men lay aside per-
sonal interests for the common wei
are: the bravery of it that goes straight
10 the heart
"All these things steel men to hazarxl
he horrors OF war. and yet. Is this
-emendous European war a war for
he fatherland. or is it not rather a
var OF aggrandizement and conquest
war to divert the peoples from their
work OF humanizing and
iemocrst stizing tendencies"
Mr.. Gompers made the statement
hat peace associations have con
crned themselves principally with
aeori.. and pious hopes for peace be-
ween men," and the societies now
nd humiliated by the war they were
owerless 10 prevent"