The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-09
GOMPERS REBUKES
ANTI-DEFENCE MEN
Urges Upon All Organized La
Dor the Need Of National
Preparedness.
FAVORS A RESERVE ARMY

President Samuel Gompers Of the
American Federation OF Labor yesterday
sent an official reply to the unions which
have adopted resolutions and taken
referendums against preparedness.
Among the organizations which have
adopted such resolutions are the Central
Federated Cnion OF this city and the
Cleveland Federation OF Labor. Mr..
Giompers In his letter addressed to the
labor officials and unions OF Cleveland
says In part:
THE resolutions introduced are a col.
lection Of i%ncongruous and irrelevant
matters. There are several statements
with which no one could differ, but they
are presented without regard to cause
or effect and with total misunders,and-
ing or their relation 10 the general SUBJ
jet of preparedness.
Sine the different parts of the resolu-
tons are so contradictory in thought
and go remotely related I do not see
how Il would he possible 10 vote in
diligently on the whole. Several OF the
matters no one could oppose. and yet the
haphazard assemblage Of these facts
tpEeIlltT leduN nowhere ana seeks 10
create a false impression OF the general
purposes OF the movement for pre-
~paredncss.
The resolutions are based upon the
false concept tina, preparedness is identi-
cal with militarism.
True preparedness must he a general,
comprehensive. alton plan for the
best development y the citizens OF the
country. the wisest and most economical
use OF our national resources. the best
industrial and commercial institutions
and organization. In other words. pre-
parcdness is readiness TO take advantage
or whatever opportunities are presented
and to maintain our national ideals and
our Institutions OF freedom.
ut is evident from an understanding
OF human nature and OF present condI-
lions that we have not reached a stage
abe IA nation can dispense with means
OF sclf-defcnce. The problem that now
confronts our nation is how to choose
the best means and adopt the best pol
icies that will harmonic with ideals OF
freedom. justice and democracy. We
must guard a~gains, anything hat wou
pervert Preparedness into militarism. To
accomplish this the spirit Of democracy
must prevail and pervade all plans and
all defensive organizations.
81 have summarized my position on
these matters as follows
in addition to those who enter The
regular army and the navy as a profess
sion there must be reserves that can he
called into the service OF the country
quickly to meet emergency. II Is n"ces-
sary therefore that there should be on
~por,unitic~ afforded to the masses of the
Z citizens for physical and military train
ing. However. all military training
must be safeguarded to protect demo-
] cratic ideals and civic institutions Not
only must there l." equal opportunity
FOR all citizens to enter training organi-
, cations and camps hut that opportunity
must he attended hN such provisions
as TO max. II An equal opportunity for
both the poor aud tltv rich.
~ fair compensation for service In
. military camps must lie paid As "A sub
stitute for wages lost. In these citizens
orya n izations for military training there
must be no recognition Of distinctions.
professions. or for any advantage OF po-
sitiou that may he held by any citizen
or group OF citizens.
Il sincerely hope that the trade union
lists Of Cleveland will consider very
carefully The problem of uational pre-
par-duc>s. Some such plan must he
evolved If We would cscap" the DANCE
and the mistakes OF haphazard exist
enCe."