Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-01
By Briggs

labor made up it's mind that no sac
rince was too great, no struggle too
long, no effort too mighty to settle
this menace to the world. Every
thing that has happened since has
strengthened our conviction. Prus-
slan mllitarism must go or freedom
must go.
1 may be told that British labor is
not unanimous. What of the strikes
on the Clyde and at Barrow, and of
the labor struggle in South Wales?"
| may be asked. These troubles were
comparatively SMALL and were the
work of few well-known mischief
makers. Some of US would deal with
with these mischief makers in much
more drastic fashion than our au-
tforities do. I would send them to
the trenches, under escort. to learn
what war is.
The trades unions did not recognize
the strikes. and did their best to end
them. Some of the men in them did
not understand what they were doing.
1t is not always easy for a man work.
ing closely over forge or in a mine
to realize the actualities of war con-
ditions. I went on some to the men
OF strike. You have sent your sons
to night. l said. Are you going to
leave them in the trenches without
by the enemy? For that is what your
striking means. Are you going to let
them be put up to be potted without
having shot to send back?" "Ah!"
said one man. "I didn't think of It
that way!"
The trouble makers haven't had
much success. The strikes have not
lasted long.
What of the conscientious objectors
the C. O.'s? What of the people in
England who refuse to fight? There
are not many of them. but there are
few. We trades unionists regard
the conscientious objectors as ma
tional blacklegs. They accept the pro-
lection provided by the nation, and
the security established by our fight
ing men.
The course of the war is bringing
about far-reaching changes in British
labor. changes the full effects, of
which are as yet scarcely realized
All classes have commingIed in the
trenches. and have perhaps learned
to understand one another better
| The men on the overseas force, who
have come among us in their hundred
thousands, have helped the British
worker to realize the empire. Men
born in Toronto and Melbourne have
| fought side by side with men born in
| Liverpool and Sheffield.
The progress of the war and my
experiences during a visit to France
helped to convince me that until in
ternational disarmament comes and
| the character of the German is trans
formed, we must guard ourselves by
national service against future dan
gers. The so-called voluntary sys.
| tenn cost us dearly. Witness the de.
struction of so many of our first ex.
peditionary force in France, because
we had not the trained men to senC
| to their support.
1 believe that the nation must ere.
ate a system which will give us Sc.
| curity for the future. and that such
a system can be established withou
dislocating the industry of the coun.
try. We cannot risk the repetition
I of 1914.
The coming of America into tn,
war has brought fresh hope and en-
| couragement. never had any doub
of the sympathy of vast masses O
! American people. I saw much O.
them in the early days of the war
have heard much of them since
President Wilson's speech declaring
war revealed the greatness of his con
ception. 1t thrilled England.
started reading it when beginning
| railway Journey passed seVera
stations beyond my destination be
fore 1 had finished. I had forgotten
everything but the Presidents words
Now that America is by our side tn
sympathy and friendship between tn
| workers of our two lands will b.
closer than ever. For our aims wer
one.
Terrible as this war has been, an,
heavy as 1t has cost, am yet pro
foundly convinced that 1t is bringini
us new vision, new hopes, new life
A common sorrow over our lost one
is helping to break down many oil
barriers. The sense of a common feI
| lowship is uniting u.s.