The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-12-28
Union LABORS DECLARATION
RELATING TO TERMS OF PEACE
Want Lasting Grounded Upon Conditions That Are Just
Fair and Honorable to the Peoples of All Nations.

ing proposal should be Incorporated:
The governments of the various
nations shall exchange labor repre-
sentatives, according to them the
same authority and honor that is
given to any other diplomat. Gov
ernments have long been accustomed
to exchange commercial, industrial
and financial representatives, and we
submit that this concept ought to be
widened to include not only the
above-named interests but also those
who furnish the human labor ener-
gies essential to coordination for
production.
One of the paramount facts which
clearly stands. out. above all others,
in this unprecedented world war is
that labor is a basic force in pro-
ducing the materials of civilization
and is c0-equal with all other essen
tial elements in national life.
1t is not only fitting that labor
should be given this merited recog-
milton, but no other single policy
would contribute more effectually to
the characterization of relations be-
tween nations, thereby strengthening
forces and conditions that make for
permanent peace based upon essen
tial human justice.
If a labor conference is held prior
to time in which the belligerent
nations are to participate in a peace
conference, labor would be forced to
declare specific terms presaging the
conditions upon which peace should
rest; this implies an inadvisable at
titude not only for labor but move
over, for our country as well. Neither
American labor nor the American
Government should now state the
final binding terms of peace. Both,
however, can be instrumental and eX-
ercise a potential force at the proper
and opportune time.
No Premature Peace
This is world war in which sew
enteen nations are allied against the
central powers. Our government did
not start this war. We should not,
in the light of present events, call
a peace conference or arbitrarily
name infleXible peace terms. Such
a responsibility rests upon our gov
ernment and is a prerogative and
responsibility it should first assume
and exercise.
We concur in the action of the
Executive Council in refusing to be
led into a premature peace confer
ence, whether emanating from Ger
many or originating with her SYM
pathizers here or elsewhere, and con-
graduate them upon their sagacious
Judgment in refusing to participate
or becoming involved in any schemes
of this character.
Conditions are changing from day
to day and that which appeals to our
judgment today as proper funda-
mental peace terms may be changed
over night.
Genuine democracy, the great is
sues now in war, had no lodgment in
the minds and hearts of those who
started this war; neither was it an
appreciable issue until made so by
our entrance into the war. Other
sound principles may develop, which
we should like later to make one of
the basic principles upon which
peace should be declared.
When a peace conference is held
it should be at a time and place
when and where the workers of the
vanquished as we'll as those of the
triumphant countries may partici-
pate upon an equality, in order that
the best interests of labor and of the
trade union movement may be fully
promoted.
When victory is achieved none will
be quicker to extend the fraternal
hand Of trade union fellowship to
the organized workers in all coun-
tries now at war, or will do so more
heartily than will the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor.
Provides for Five Delegates
In connection with this subject
we call special attention to the No
vember issue of the American Fed
erationist, which contains much in
teresting and instructive corresnon-
dence.
The San Francisco convention of
the American Federation of Labor
in adopting a part of the report of
the Committee on international La
Dor Relations, instructed the Fxecu-
tive Council to call a labor peace
conference of all nations at the time
and place the peace conference is
held by the belligerent nations and
authorized the Executive Council 70