The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-05-10
COMPERS SENDS
MESSAGE TO RUSS
Makes Plea Against q Prema.
ture Peace.
ALL AGAINST kAISERISM
Declares That New Republic 10 Un-
safe With the Kaiser In Power
That America 10 In sympathy With
Russian Democracy.

se'e WIN tHe NSiUer IN poWor@
That America 10 In sympathy With
Russian Democracy.
Washington, May 8.-A plea that
Russia may not make a premature
peace and renewed assurances that
American wage earners and the Amer.
lean people are in hearty sympathy
with the Russian democracy move
ment are included in a long cablegram
sent by President Samuel Gompers of
the American Federation of Labor to
the executive committee Of the Coun-
ell OF Workmen's and Soldiers Depu-
ties at Petrograd.
Speaking for organized labor in this
country. Mr.. Gompers also expresses
complete confidence in the purposes
and opinions Of the American war mis-.
sion soon to 60 to Russia The labor
leader denounces az criminal and pro-
German any suggestion that the mem.
bers will seek to interfere in Russia's
internal AFFAIRS or will give any advice
except with the purpose Of combating
the common enemy.
Forcible annexations are condemned
but Mr.. Gompers pleads that every
people affected by the war should in
the end be free to choose their al.
legiance. Punitive indemnities also
are denounced, and hope is expressed
that leaders OF the working classes Of
the central empires will cease plot
ting for an abortive peace. but will
bring a real peace by overthrowing
the autocracies of Hohenzollern and
Hapsburg.
The message Is timed to aid In COM
batting the pro-German agitation ap-
parent during the last few days in
| Russia.
| THE grasest crisis in the worlds g
history is now hanging in the bal
ance," says Mr.. Gompers. "and the
course which Russia will pursue may
have a determining influence whether
democracy or autocracy shall prevail.
That democracy and freedom will
finally prevail there can be no doubt
In the minds of men who know, but
the cost, the time lost and the sacri-
| fce which would ensue from lack of
united action may be appalling. 1t is
to avoid this that address you.
"In view of the grave crisis through
which the Russian people are passing
we assure you that you can rely abso.
iutely upon the whole-hearted support
and cooperation OF the American peo-
pie in the great war against our com
mon enemy. kaiserism. In the fulfill.
ment of that cause the present Ameri'
can government has the support Of 80
per cent of the American people. In
cluding the working classes Of both
the cities and the agricultural sec
tions.
"In free America as in free Russia,
the agitators for a peace favorable to
Prussinn mi'itarism have been allowed
to express their opinions so that the
conscious end unconscious tools Of the
kaiser appear more influential than
they really are. You should realize
the truth Of the situation. There are
| Dut IeW III Rfn''i'd WiiihS W oiio"
kaiserism and it's allies to continue
their rule over those non-German peo.
pies who wish to be free from their
domination. Should we not protest
against the pro-kaiser Socialist inter
pretation OF the demand for no an
nexation.' namely. that all oppressed
nom German peoples shall be compelled
to remain under the domination of
Prussia and her lackeys. Austria and
Turkey. Should we not rather accept
the better Interpretation that there
must be no forcible annexations, bu'
that every people must be free to
choose any allegiance II desires as dc
manded by the Council Of Workmen'F g
and Soldiers Deputies.
| Like yourselves. We are opposed Ia
all punitive and improper indemnities
We denounce the onerous punitive in
IDENTITIES already imposed by tho
kaiser upon the people OF servia. Bel
gium and Poland.
Now that Russian sutocracy is
overthrown, neither the American
government nor the American people
apprehend that the wisdom and ex'
perience OF Russia In the coming con
stitutional assembly will adopt any
form of government other than the
one best suited to your needs"
/ N A., Ma A.u Esll