Denver labor bulletin., 1917-12-22

TSldbllsHlltUl VI lTldl Dy
Your committee concurs in the fore
going with clear understanding that
it is submitted as n basis upon which
peace terms may be negotiated.
/ Exchange Labor Representatives
! In addition to the peace terms
which the Executive Council recon-
mended in their report, the following
proposal should be Incorporated:
! The governments of the various ma
tions shall exchange labor representa-
tives, according to them the same au-
thority and honor that is given to any
/ other diplomat. Governments 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 abovc-named in
terests but also those who furnish the
human labor energies essential to CO.
ordination 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 producing the
l materials Of civilization and is CO
/ equal with all other essential elements
in national life
! It is not only fitting that labor
should be given this weritcd rrcog-
milton. but no other single policy would
contribute more cfFcctually TO the de
mocratization Of relations between
nations. thereby strengthening forces
and conditions that make for pcrma-
ncnt peace based upon essential hu-
man Justice.
/ II a labor conference is held prior
/ 20 time in which the belligcront ma
tions are to participate in peace CON
ference, labor would be forced TO de
clare specific terms prcsaging the con-
ditions upon which peace should rest;
this implies an inadvisable attitude not
only for labor but. moreover, for our
country as well. Neither American Ia
Dor nor the American government
should now state the final binding
terms of peace Both, however. can
be instrumental and exercise potcn-
tial force at the proper and opportune
time.
No Premature Peace.
This is world war in which seven
teen nations are allied against the cen
trail powers. Our government did not
start this war. We should not. in the
light of present events. call n peace
conference or arbitrarily name inhcx-
ible peace terms. Such a responsible
ity rests upon our government and is
n prcrogative and responsibility it
should first assume and exercise.
We concur in the action OF the exec
utivo council in refusing to be led into
premature peace conference, whether
cmanating from Germany or original
ing with her sympathiZcrs here or
elsewhere, and congratulate them upon
their sagacous Judgment in refusing
to participate or becoming involved in
anv schemes Of this character.
Conditions are changing from day
to day and that which appeals to our
judgment today rs proper fundamen-
tai peace terms may be changed over
night.
Genuine democracy the great issues
now in war, had no lodgment in the
minds and hearts Of those who started
this war; neither was II an npprcci-
able issue until made so by our en-
trance 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 n peace conference is held it
should be at time and place when
and where the workers of the van
quished as well as those Of the tri-
umphant countries may participate
upon an equality. in order that the
best interests of labor and Of the trade
union movement may be fully pro-
NOTED
When victory Is achieved none will
ne QUICKER TO tNltru lnf
hand of trade union fellowship to the
organized workers in all countries now
at war. or will do so more heartily
than will the American Federation of
Labor.
Provides for Five Delegates.
In connection with this subject we
call special attention to the November
issue of the American Fcderationist,
which contains much interesting and
instructive correspondence.
The San Francisco convention OF the
American Federation Of Labor in
adopting part of the report Of the
Committee on International Labor
Relations, instructed the executive
council to call labor peace confer
ence of all nations at the time and
place the peace conference is held by
the belligcrcnt nations, and author
lied the executive council to send two
delegates, one of whom should be the
president of the American Federation
of Labor. This action was real'irmed
at the Baltimore convention in 1916.
Your committee recommends thnt
that action be again rcafIirmed with
the addition that at least five dele
gates, one of whom shall be the prcsi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor, be selected to participate in
this conference from the re
mort of Committee on International
4. ,..,, ~