New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Union Labor Will .
Hold Conference
To Rival Pacihsts
Loyal Socialists to Join in
Meeting at Minneapolis
September 5

The American Alliance for Labor and
Democracy, which was organized oy
Samuel Gompers to fight the paclhst
element in the labor movement, yestel-
dav announced that IL would hold
conference at Minneapolis beginning on
Sentember 8. The coference will be
almost concurrent with a national pa
cifist meeting also to be held by the
PEOPLES Council in Minneapolis De-
ginning September /. The anti-pacihsts
hone to combat the work done by the
The Alliances committee, including
1 G. Phelps Stokes, Rose Pastor STOKES
John Spargo, Charles Edward Kussen'
FINEST Bohm and Chester NJ. wright,
Yesterday addressed the call for the
Conference "To the organized working
neonIe of America and their forward
looking friends" The call said: 81,
Throughout the world to-day the
GREAT human aspiration for interna-
tionalism, democracy and human Tree,
dom is being tested IN the hres OF worm
war. ~
"Our own beloved Republic has
thrown its weight into the scales on
the side Of freedom and democracy III
both national and international rela
tions. Our nation has entered the war
without thought of conquest or reward,
impelled by the passion for liberty and
democracy that is in the very hear' anu
soul of the American people.
"Whatever NAV have been the causes
If this war at the outset, 1t has pc
hpfWoen
ideals of liberty and democracy on inc
one hand, and the brutal, iron heel oi
autocracy on the other.
Pacifists Antagonize Democracy
ain our midst in this crucial hour are
many whose efforts are beng dlrecteu
against victory for America and Anne
rica's cause. Whatever may be the mo.
tives Of these people, the effect OF "haV
they do and say is unmistakaoly an
tagonistic to the triumph OF the demo,
cratic principle in this war, and just
as Enthusiastically helpful to the cause
of the autocratic Teutonlc alliance
at present these efforts are being
directed largely through so-called
workmen's councils which in no sense
represent the American labor movement
and through a so-called Peoples Coun-
ell whose aims are in complete accord
with the present needs of the German
government.
"To the end that the American peo-
especially the American working
people-may be aroused to the need Tor
a clearer understanding of the effect OF
the war on the American and interna-
tional labor movement. we issue TINS
call for a representative conference TO
be held in Minneapolis, beginning on
September 8. o..
1--WE ask trade unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor TO
send representatives, and we ask those
American Socialists who have been
driven from their party by its treach-
cry TO the democratic cause TO JOIN
with us in this conference which VIII
be truly representative of the spirit OF
democratic internationalism.'
Spargo Charges Treachery
"Pernicious anti-American, pro-Ger-
man propaganda" is the way John
Spargo, the pro-war Socialist, yesterday
described the peace movement fostered
by the Peoples Council. He made pub
lie letter which he sent to Leila Faye
Secor. organizing secretary of the coun-
Gill; in reply to appeals for his aid.
The letter said:
80 lar as can JuuBt iIOH VIC ~
tivity OF your associates thus far, under
cover of your advocacy of such policies
as the safeguarding of labor standards,
the meeting of the cost of war by tax
alton. and the reduction Of the cost Of
municipalities which | most heartily
favor-a propaganda in the interest of
German sutocracy and formulated at
Potsdam is being conducted. In the
name of democracy YOU are promoting
the interests of autocracy. In the
name of peace and naturalization you
are doing all that lies in your power TO
strengthen the most brutal militarism
the world has ever known; and in the
name of internationslism you would
betray the freedom of all nations TO
ruthless German despotism."