The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-06-26
A country's honor can usually be maintained
in peace If that country has any honor.
WHAT WILL THE WORKERS DO;


With the resignation of William Jennings Bryan
from the presidents cabinet in the interests peace
and in view of the city central bodies that
drafting resolutions demanding peace war, on
the other hand leaders of the American Federation
Labor and Building Trades section vocing contrary
opinions, the question being asked in quarters u.s.
What will the American workers do should war be
declared?" Will they heed their country's call and
follow the flag for the preservation of the countrys
honor without protest? Will they rally colors
as they did in France Austria and Germany will they
remain unnterested the English workers strike
at a favorable opportunity?
Opposition to war at all times except in case of
threatened invasion has years the principle
the working class Should the workers volunteer to
invade Mexico to protect adventuresome citizens
Uncle Sam? Should the workers fight Germany the
wanton murder of American citizens on the high sea
while at home American citizens of class allowed
to murder American citizens of in the coal
fields of Colorado?
Samuel Gompers president of the American Fedora
ton of Labor is reported have said 1.-The influence
of the American Federation of Labor the workers
our country will be exered for the maintenance of
peace, and yet cannot permit CHALLENGED the
insistence that the lives Americans shall not be un-
necessarily and unwarrantably jeopardized."
Other leaders have expressed themselves in similar
tone while many II not majority of the rank and file
have expressed belief in peace at any price" and
have to that extent lined up with w. j. Bryan.
Last Saturday night at the auditorium the applause
that greeted the utterances of Eugene when he
expressed his personal opinion on the matter of war
would lead believe the workers are practical
y unit the question.
The words of Debs to be considered lightly
His utterances listened with respect by large
part OF the American workers. 1t without cause
that he could ask whether those of the master
clamoring for war would shoulder musket and fight
for the country's honor for $13 a month";" His ex-
preston concerning what he personally would do voiced
<the belief OF thousands, other than Socialists
Ant-war sentiment is growing, and it is a healthy
sign that the present generation day attain
to civilization. The world today, while nominally
Christianized is still semibarbar1c are not our
brothers keeper not even "our~ brothers.
brother" We have failed miseraby to listen to the
of universal brotherhood Shall we continue as people
to ignore the greater precepts of life or shall we
hypocritiealy worship at the shrine pray for
while harbor1ng in breasts the hatred
must sooner or later break out in war;
4 How shall these conditions be overcome? That is q
question for the workers of the world solve They
alone can solve it. They alone lead the way from
race hatred They alone the world in WAYS of
peace and brotherhood.
IT, What will the workers do? The Labor World would
be pleased to receive communications from members
labor unions in to this question Such letters
this time would both be interesting timely in view
or the fact that the being out for an
fashioned Fourth and not this tame peace stu that
the modern boy must endure.