Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-27
WORLDS LABOR
PEACE CONGRESS
Call for Delegates from All Coun-
tries to Meet at Time Nations
Make Treaty.
AMERICAN FEDERATION LEADS

WASHINGTON, March 26.-The
American Federation of Labor's call
for Labor's World Peace congress,
to be assembled at the same time and
place the belligerents meet to make
the terms which 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 conven-
ton in San Francisco last year,
Labor's World Peace congress would
be an assembly of workers to de-
mand that the peace delegates of the
warning nations determine nothing
touching the lives of the workers
without taking counsel with them.
Such an assembly of representatives
Of wage earners close by the delib-
erations of the peace delegates is ex-
pected to have large effect on the
spirit and determination of the latter.
Text of Call.
The call for the congress follows:
ITO the organized labor movement of
all countries:
Friends and Brothers: viii you send
a representative to attend a Labor's
World Peace congress? This congress to
be held at the same time and in the same
city as the representatives from the diff
ferent countries will meet to determine
the terms of peace.
The American Federation of Labor
convention, held November, 1914, four
months after the war began, adopted
a resolution which provided for the call
ing OF a labor congress for the same time
and place that the general peace congress
shall be held, which will determine condi-
tions and terms of peace at the close of
the war. This action was officially COM
municated to all national trade union
centers.
"The proposal to hold labor congress
was generally discussed by the various
national labor movements during the last
year and some OF them have officially
approved the plan.
an other countries, thought is con-
centrated on the immediate and compell-
ing problems OF daily life-problems so
urgent that all else must wait upon the
future. We appreciate the intense strain
with which our fellow-workers Of Europe
await the outcome of the days struggle
on the battlefield and the ultimate de-
cision of the war.
1--WE are not unmindful Of the issues in
volved for which men are shedding their
blood and giving their lives. We, too.
have been confronted by national prob
lens which have grown out OF war con-
ditions, and now our great concern is
that out OF the horrors, the suffering.
the destruction Of war, there shall coma
greater opportunity. freedom and protec-
tion for those who do the worlds work
the toilers Of all countries.
burden Falls on Workers,
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 return to
peace conditions.
The workers can refuse to be the
victims of the blunders. the evil plans.
the ambitions Of those responsible for
this war. In their struggle against op-
preston have been born yearnings for
human freedom. for better opportunities,
for justice in life and work. During
the centuries they have made progress
sometimes slow, it is true. but always
progress. II has been a long fight from
slavery to the present degree OF free
dom.
There Is great opportunity in the Inn
mediate future for democracy and free
dom. A century ago the feudal system
died in the Napoleonic wars that con-
vulsed Europe. and the third estate
established their right to freedom and
participation I'M the affairs OF govern
ment 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 established
many OF them.
Economic ImpOrtH of Labor.
"Since the outbreak OF war. their
economic importance, their political and
military power have been tacitly and
often officially recognized. Statesmen have
recognized that organizations OF wage
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