The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-11-16
PRESIDENT TELLS LABOR
DELEGATES WAR MUST BE
WON BEFORE ANY PEACE
Continued from Page 8


ed by either the parliament of the
country to which they are accredit-
ed or by representative of the peo-
pie, responsible to them.
working people have never been
properly represented in diplomatic
affairs. The future must be con-
structed upon broader lines than the
past. We insist, therefore, that the
government of the United States
provide adequate and direct repre-
sentatives of wage-earners among
the plenipotentiaries sent to the
peace congress, and urge upon the
labor movements of other coun-
tries to take like action.
eve urge the adoption of the fol-
lowing declarations as the basis up
on which peace must be negotiated:
81. The combination of the free
peoples of the world in a common
covenant for genuine and practical
cooperation to secure justice and
therefore peace in relations be-
tween nations.
"2. Governments derive their
just power from the consent of the
governed.
"3. No political or economic re-
strictions meant to benefit some ma
tions and to cripple or embarrass
others.
"a. No indemnities or reprisals
based upon indicative purposes or
deliberate desire to injure, but to
right manifest wrongs.
rs. Recognition of the rights of
small nations and of the principle.
No people must be forced under
sovereignty under which it does not
wish to live.".
"a. No territorial changes or
adjustments of power except in fur
therance of the welfare of the peo-
pies affected and in furtherance of
world peace.
'.In addition to these basis princi-
pies which are based upon declara-
tions of our president of these Un-
tied States, there should be incor-
porated in the treaty that shall con-
stitute the guide of nations in the
new period and conditions into
which we enter at the close of the
war the following declarations, fun
damental to the best interest of all
nations and of vital Importance to
wage-earners:
81. No article or commodity
shall be shipped or delivered in in
ternational commerce in the produc-
ton of which children under the age
of 16 have been employed or per-.
mitted to work.
"2. 1t shall be declared that the
basis workday in industry and COM
merce shall not exceed eight hours.
"3. Involuntary servitude shall
not exist except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted.
"a. Establishment of trial by
jury.
'Many of the problems of recon-
struction cannot be worked out dur
ing the war while feeling is so in
tense. The situation and opportuni-
ties which peace will bring will be
without precedent. 1t is of para
mount Importance that labor shall
be free and unembarrassed in help
ing to shape the principles and
agencies for the future.
eve suggest therefore all pre-
judice and partisan spirit can best
be eliminated by recopstructlng in
ternationl labor relations and thus
bring to new problems and a new
era, activity and cooperation un-
hampered and unperverted by form
er alliances of old fued.
"The basis of reconstruction
should be the trade union move
ments OF the various countries. We.
recommend that an international la
Dor conference of representatives
of the trade union movements of
all countries be held at the same
time and place as the world peace
congress that labor may be in touch
with plans under consideration and
may have the benefit of informa-
tion and counsel of those participat-
ing in the congress-"
Reconstruction after the war will
raise new issues, the report holds,
and the nation cannot discard light
ly the idea of service engendered
by cooperation of all classes against
~ pOintipr tO the