Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-03
Labor Leader barrow and Our War


At all the celebrations held today Iabors part in
the war will be the universal text and the thought
uppermOst in all minds.
The chief glory will be the splendid record OF the
wOrkingmen in their appreciation Of what the war
means to America and their prompt and willing
response to the call of the country for men at the
battlefront and millions behind the line
|. W. W. and socialist assistants of Germany are
exceptions that prove the rule. Labor is with the
country and manfully backing administration
in working out the many tasks which America must
perform, tasks never before done in the worlds his
tory. Leaders of labor have been quick to speak out
President Gompers did not have TO hesitate when
the time came for him to declare himself.
And now comes Clarence barrow. the attorney
who is regarded by many toilers as one of the
prophets of the Iaborers cause. Mr.. barrow has
been Pacist, but he says, Il found that my theo-
ries could not fit the facts, So unlike most Pacifss,
/ have decided to accept the facts and modify my
theories ! was always a Pacifst until this war.
/ will be agan-after Germany is licked
This day devoted to labor is an appropriate oCca-
sion to read the conclusions of Mr.. barrow, after
he has canvassed the whole situation from every
possible angle. There is qualification in Oar
row. support He says:
"There will be no real peace in the world until
the Prussian military power is crushed. For no
reason whatsoever Germany has deliberately broken
the peace of the world. She was getting ready for
this for forty years, while other nations were be-
Viewing in peace and carrying out this belief.
ITO know whether one believes in pacifsm to the
limit one must put oneself in the place of Belgium
and France.
at is idle to talk about non resistance.
Human nature is not made that way. No people
fit to survive will be trampled upon. Belgium and
France had to fight, to die, or surrender-which
would have been far worse than death.
"Germany-dsappointed because she could not
conquer the world in few months-engaged in
submarine warfare, which, under the laws of ma
tions, was nothing but piracy and murder
eff America had not decided this meant war and
was war she would not be fit to be a nation
off she were controlled by pacifsts who would
not fight under these conditions she would not long
remain a nation.
"Had she refused to fight she would have received
and deserved the contempt of all right thinking peo
pie.
Many of those opposed to this war are everlast-
ingly pointing out the shortcomings of the United
States and other allied countries. l am we'll aware
that this country is far from perfect.
"But whatever the shortcomings of this country
it is still free and better than any other of the great
countries of the world. What ave is worth
preserving and it cannot be preserved unless we
ready to fight.
"No one in America believes in war as a trade or
an art, but We believe in selfdefense and do not be-
heve that barbarous warriors should be left free to
overrun the world.
"This war has now become war for preserving
civilization. 1t is war for democracy against the
most medieval autocratic government of either Eu
rope or America.
Il do not believe in any talk of peace We should
begin to fight before we talk about the terms of
peace. 1t is not for Germany and tAustria-either
directly or ndirectly-to bring about peace on any,
thing like their own terms. They made this war
deliberately ruthessly and should suffer the copse
quences."