Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
COME TO DEMAND
WAR REFERENDUM
Members of Emergency Peace
Federation Present Plans
at the Capitol.
FAIL TO SEE PRESIDENT

Advocates of war referendum
before the country is plunged into
hostiIities coming from several of the
eastern states. but principally from
New York city, under the banner of the
Emergency Peace Federation. invaded
the Capitol and the House and Senate
Office buildings early today asking con-
gressional support of their movement
They sought principally to have their
congressman support in every way pos
sible a plan to have referred to the
Senate census committee the La Fol
lette resolution making provision for
the referendum on the war question.
Al the headquarters of the peace ad-
vocates in the Continental Hotel it was
said that they did not think they
would have any chance of getting the
resolution reported if it was sent to
the foreign relations committee
Begin Speeches at Breakfast.
The pilgrims started in their work
today with a breakfast at which sew
eral speeches We're delivered. and will
be going all day. ending tonight in
time for midnight lunch. They tried
all the morning to get an audience
with the President, and have not yet
been successful They give hearty
support to the President in his efforts
toward peace.
Frank stephens of Arden. Del, presid
ed at the breakfast. Joseph D. CannCn,
representing the Western Miners
Union and the mill and smelter work
ers. told the advocates that the great
extent of public feeling for peace is
getting expression. The war clamorers.
he said, are realizing that they have
not succeeded in stampedins the peo-
pie for either war or militarisH- He
warned them, however. that unceasing
activity is absolutely necessary to save
the nation from the designs of the mill
tarists
A message from Jane Addams of Hull
House. Chicago was read. 1t said.
Il do wish | might be with YOU in
Washington. l am most heartily in
favor of the referendum on war. 1t
seems to be our best hope am eX-
ceedingly glad of the formation of the
Emergency Peace Federation. 1t can
move quickly and effectively
More Solemn Than Funeral.
"The solemnity of this OCCASION said
Emily Green Balch of Wellesley Col
lege. would make funeral seem like
a child's frolic-when We think of the
horror in Europe into which we may
soon be plunged
we are here to uphold the hands of
the President while he works for
peace" declared Winter Russell of New
York Those who advocate militarism
and war should make good by enlist
ing
A resolution adopted by the fedora
tion expressed earnest support of the
President Of the United States in his
steadfast effort to secure by peaceful
methods right settlement of interna-
tional conflicts. not alone between the
United States and Germany. but among
our European brothers in their frater-
nal strife"
It further declared sit to be our de-
sire to serve our country by doing
everything in our power to maintain it's
leaders in the work of attaining world
peace and doing away forever with the
war system and all it's consequences
but that we hold war in adherence
not only because of it's menace to the
painfully won liberties of the individ-
ual. the suffering which war prices
bring Upon families of small means.
which comprise the majority of our
population. and the cost in blood and
treasure, but mainly because we reDg-
nize war, which is the legaliZed killing
of human beings for political ends, to
be one of the supreme crimes against
humanity.
Make Appeal at Capitol.
Federation delegates crowded into the
Presidents room at the Capitol, where
several of them addressed Senator
Stone. chairman of the foreign rela-
tions committee. making earnest pleas
to keep the nation out of war. Among
the speakers were Rev. Norman w.
Thomas. DR.. Jessie Hughen. Bertha
Alexander Conn, Mary Wright SewaI
and others. They declared that wom-
en- of Europe were beseeching the
United States to keep out of the war
as this country was their only beacon
of hope"
President Wilson was reelected be-
cause he had kept the United States
out of war. it was argued. and Con-
gress should see to 1t that the nation
remains out Of the war. Senator Stone
thanked the delegation and assured
IL that the President and Congress
were doing all in their power to pre-
serve peace.
I'm your desire to keep the nation
out Of war" said Senator Stone, land
to preserve the peace of the country. I
am in very profound sympathy and
hope and trust that nothing may arise
which would seem to make any hostili-
ties inevitable. Congress will do Its best
to keep the nation out of war;
College Peace Conference.
A conference of colleges in the inter-
est OF peace was held at the Continent
tai at o'clock. Prof. Harry Allen Over
street of the City College of New York
presiding. AT this session Columbia
University students protested against
President Nicholas Murray Butler's on
position to anti-war movements by stu
dent factions. Representative Galloway
>&poke.
Tonights meeting will be held at the
-All Souls Unitarian Church. 14th and
Il streets. Those scheduled to spea k
ARE:
Prof. William l. Hull. Swarthmore
College: Prof. Harry A. ONerStreet City