Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-09
PACIFICISTS SAY
WORKERS OPPOSE
FURTHER ARMING
Speakers, Stating They Represent
Farmers, Toilers and Voting
Women, Warn Congress
on Defense.
MUST NOT BE sTAMPEDED
One Asks Why Supply England with
Arms if Wilson Fears Trouble
with that Country
URGE AGAINST BIG COST OF IT

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Paci-
fists, who said they. represented the
farmers, working people and voting
women-of the country, today warned
senate and house military commit
tees against being stampeded into
what they termed unwarranted ap-
propriations for military prepared
ness. An anti-preparedness commit
tee. of which Lillian d. Wald Of New
York is chairman, introduced itself
to the committees as an organiza-
tion of American citizens formed to
protest against dangerous pro-
gram of military and naval expan-
sion, to divert the public mind from
those preparations for that world
peace which it might be our coun-
try's privilege to initiate at the close
of the war"
In addition to Miss Wald, opposition to
war preparations was voiced by John b..
Lennon, treasurer of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor; James FL Maurer
president of the Penpsylvania Federation
of Labor; Mrs Florence Kelley; Frank
Hbrnblazer a director of the National
rTFarsiers' union, and Sarah Bard Field Of
the California Women Voters association.
MessnEe from Capper|
message also was read from Gov
ernor Capper of Kansas, endorsing the
plans Of the committee. which include a
provision of past appropriations investiga-
ffe,. - h.. - n.
mand foT an increase in military expendi-
lures and the elimination OF present profit
from armament manufacture.
MIR. Maufer, who said he was a machin-
list who has been in constant touch with
large organizations OF laboring men, met
with repeated applause from the crowd
in the committee rooms, composed of
about equal numbers of men and women.
He spoke. he explained. not for organized
labor. but for the working glasses, and
charged that the present call for arms
was inspired by those who were making
immense profit selling ammunition and
who at the close of the European war
win want a large army and navy 70 en-,
force the collection OF the money owed
them by bankrupt nations.
The working people will not consent
to fight such a war he said. Instead
Of spending more money, l think con
gross had better investigate the money
already apent. The people have believed
we were prepared. We were told we
were the greatest power on earth. Less
than two years ago we were told that We
could beat Germany and Mexico at the
same time.
Fears, Not the Dying.
Now. suddenly, we are told our boats
are old tubs. our army helpless. There
VI We no rumors of war two years ago
A,Y, n Germany and Austria were in ths
6eT condition of their history. II fell
noIi that those dying nations could thraaf
us. ] would be ashamed to admit waI
an American.
''we of the working classes who mus
fight these battles want to know what
you know Of them. President Wilson
tells us there may be a great confligra
tion tomorrow The American people wan
TO know what danger they are in.
III We fear Great Britain. why pernii
our American capitalists TO continue t.
equip that nation with arms? The work
ingmen win refuse to be cannon fodde
for their wars and then be called on h
pay the bills too. II 1t is right to TAX
the workingman's life, 1t Is right 20 TAX
the rich mans fortune. What Is there TO
the West Virginia coal miners to figh
for2
The only way you can get the work
ingmen to enlist is to provide one witt
the best possible rifle. 100 rounds OF am
munition and let them keep their arm
CONTINUED o. Page Two, Column Two