The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-02
IGonpers Issues Gall
For Peace Congress
OF the Laboring Men

Ran Is to Have Meeting When
Peace Terms Are Being
Arranged nlEurope.
WASHINGTON, April Tho
American Federation OF Labor's call
for rLabor's World Peace Congress,
TO be assembled ut the same time and
place the bellfgerents meet to make
terms which will end the world war,
was sent out today, to the organized
labor movement Of all countries.
Proposed FIRST by the executive
council OF the American Federation.
and approved at the national conyen-
tion In San Francisco last year, La
boris World Peace Congress would
be an assembly OF workers. to demand
that the peace delegates OF the war
ring nations determine nothing
totching the lives OF the workers
without taking counsel with them.
Such nm, assembly or representatives
OF wage earners close by the deliber-
atoms OF the peace delegates is ex-
pected to have a large effect on the
spirit and determination OF the lat
ter.
The call for the congress follows:
To the organized labor movement Of
all countries: i-e- 'ti is.
Friends and brothers:
Will You send a representative to
attend a Labor's World Peace Con-
gress? THIS congress to be held at
the same time and In the same city
az the representatives from the diff
ferent countries will meet to deter
mine the
Terms of Peace.
The American Federation OF La
Dor convention, held November, 1914,
four months after the war began,
adopted resolution which provided
for the calling of a labor congress
for the same time and place that the
general peace congress shall be held,
which will determine conditions and
terms Of peace at the close Of the
war. This action was officially COM
municated to all national trade
union centers. f r
The proposal to hold trade con-
gress was generally discussed by the
various national labor movements
during the last year and some OF
them have officially approved the
plan. ~ b. wfA.Ie .i-.u-..
In other countries, thought Is con-
centrated on the immediate and cont
polling problems of daily life-prob-
lens so urgent that all else must
walt upon the future. We appreci-
ate the intense strain with which our
fellow-workers Of Europe await the
outcome OF the days struggle on the
of the war.
We are not unmindful of the is
sues involved for which men are
shedding their blood and giving their
lives. We, too. have ben confronted
by national problems which have
grown out Of war conditions, and now
our great concern is that out Of the
horrors, the suffering, the destruction
Of war, there shall come greater op-
portunity. freedom and protection for
those who do the worlds work-the
toilers Of all countries.
Everywhere the wage earners by
service have proved their loyalty to
concepts OF honor, their patriotism,
their value as men and women. In
the past they have borne not only the
Burdens Of Fighting
during the war. but have been
weighted down by the war debts and
readjustments attending q return OF
peace conditions.
The workers can refuse to be the
victims Of the blunderers, the evil
plans, the ambitions of those respons-
ible for this war. In their struggle
against oppression have been born
yearnings for human freedom, for bet
ter opportunities. for justice in life
and work. During the centuries they
have made progress-sometimes slow
1t is true, but always progress. 1t has
been long fight from slavery to the
present degree of freedom.
There is great opportunity in the I'M.
mediate future for democracy and
freedom. A century ago the feudal
system died n the Napoleonic wars
that convulsed Europe. and the estate
established their right to freedom and
participation in the affairs of gov
eminent and society.
Slowly but surely the workers have
been making demands for recognition
of their rights as human beings and as
members Of society and have estab-
lished many Of them.
Since the outbreak Of war, their
economic Importance; their political
and military power have been tacitly
and often officially recognized. States
men have recognized that organiza-
lions of wage earners are an integral
part OF organized society-part Of the
vitals OF the nation.
In appreciation of their dignity
and value. 1t Is the duty Of the wage
carriers to make demands upon the
world assembled in the next world
congress that nothing touching the
lives Of the workers shall be deter
mined without taking counsel with
them. Such demand made by the
personal representatives of the wage
earners assembled in the same place
and at the same time as the
World Peace Congress
would have tremendous effect upon
the spirit and the determination OF
that congress. .'te
Such demand would set high stand
ards Of democracy and would give
prominence to principles of human
welfare that could not be ignored.
The labor movement Is the great
humanizing. democratizing force, in
the affairs OF nations. and n Ynrst