New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-10
Gompers, Never Before
Identified With Movement,
to Aid John Spargo
Result of Conference
Labor Alliance Issues Manifesto
Calling for international
Pact Against Germany

John Spargo, who recently resigned
from the Socialist party because II
opposed war, returned to New York
last night on the RED, White and
Blue Special" from the Minneapo-
lis conference of the American ALI
ance for Labor and Democracy. He an
nounced that a drive would be made
forthwith to found new and greater
American Socialist party, whose loyal
ty would be unquestioned.
It would be a party regenerated,
rather than a new party, Mr.. Spargo
said Samuel Gompers, never before
identified with the Socialists, is to
help.
I'VE are going ahead with a vast
campaign" Mr.. Spargo declared. Mr..
Gompers, Charles Edward Russell, my
self and many others will make tour
of the big cities and address mass
meetings twice day. Also we are to
send out an enormous amount Of lit
erature that will reach every Socialist
in America.
ave are to have a committee that
will negotiate az once with the Social
lists of Russia What they need now
is moral and spiritual strengthening
rather than military aid"
Plots Act as Spur
Accounts of German Vaccinations In
h,r
delegates before their arrival and had
strengthened their resolve and hast
ened their purpose TO rally united
and loyal Socialist party TO the aid of
the government.
IL read the dispatch which the State
Department made public" said Mr..
Gompers. IF anything were needed TO
show the need OF such a conference as
that of Minneapolis, it was just that
was not surprised. although | had no
intimation of the state of affairs.
81 have always maintained that no in
ternational conference for the discus
sion of peace or war questions should
or could take place IN Stockholm.
Stockholm was and is under the domln-
alton Of the German government.
There is no country on the face OF
Che globe that is actually neutral. They
Rave the spectacle Of Belgium ever be-
fore them, and they can't permit an ex-
pres sion of opinion that In any way
reflects upon the German government.
Moreover, we can not and must not
have conferences between the repre-
sentatives Of nations with which the
United States is at war. The Germans
are giving their whole-hearted sup
port to this war, and we must do the
Same.Y
Mr.. Spargo suggested that perhaps
knowledge Of the attitude of Swedish
diplomatic representatives had some
thing to do with Secretary Lansing's
refusal OF passports to delegates from
this country TO the Stockholm confer
ence.
New Socialist Manifesto
After Mr.. Spargo had read aloud to
the delegates as they sped toward New
York the account of German usurpa-
ton of Swedish diplomatic privileges
in Buenos Ayres 1t was generally
agreed that no change was necessary IN
a manifesto adopted by the Socialists
at the conference just before they left
Minneapolis. That document could not
have been improved upon, its subscrlb-
ers declared, if they had known IN ad-
vance of the news that was coming
from Washington. Several delegates
started at once for Washington 10
learn more of the affair. The mani
festo follows:
The undersigned Socialists, dele
gates to the Conference of the Amer
lean Alliance for Lasor and Democracy
held at Minneapolis, issue the follow
ing statement to the Socialists Of the
United States:
Eve have participated in the de-
liberations and conclusions OF this con-
ference, not as narrow nationalists but
as Socialists and internationalists. We
are convinced that the war in which
the United States is now engaged is as
lust a war as was ever waged by
liberty-loving people against ruthless
and oppressive tyranny.
We believe that the cause of socialism,
Of industrial democracy, of the prog
ress Of the worlds workers toward
better and nobler life IS indissolubly
bound up with the cause of the United
States and its allied democracies. We
believe that the cause OF international
ism, the longing of mankind for last
ing peace and for justice and honor
among the nations of the earth. de-
ponds upon the victory Of the United
States and its allied democracies over
Germany and its allied autocracies.
"The United States did not seek
this war. The war was thrust upon 1t.
II was not we who made war. II was
Germany that made war upon US. Our
people had no choice before them than
shameful submission to an unparalleled
series of aggressions upon the lloer-
ties of the world or armed resistance
to inhuman piracy waged on a colossal
scale. They chose the course of right
and honor.
"We, therefore, call upon all Social
lists in the United States. both organ
lied and unorganized, 10 perform their
duties Loyalty as citizens OF this re-
public and TO put all their energy and
strength, all their ardor and enthusi-
asm at the disposal of orr government,
so that the war may be carried to
rapid and victorious conclusion.
"They will thus be acting in accord
ance with the noblest traditions and
highest aspirations of America, as well
As of the international Socialist move
ment. They will thus be acting in tho
shirt of the immortal Karl Marx, who
labored valiantly and increasingly for
the success of the Union arms in the
Civil War. They will thus be working
hand in hand with the tried leaders
-, 90 socialism,