New-York tribune., 1917-09-06
Gompers, Head of New Al
lance, Sounds Defiance
of Autocracy
Cannot Play Into
Hands of Germany
Minneapolis Convention
AppIauds Americas Aims
in the War
By Theodore NJ. knappen

By Theodore M. Knappen
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 5.-Opening
its organization meeting to-day to the
stirring notes of the universal anthem
Of revolution and democracy, the
"Marscillaise," the American Alliance
for Labor and Democracy launched
itself as a new born champion Of the
rights Of man that are TO be won and
preserved by the righteous war on
autocracy.
As the delegates wildly cheered the
soul stirring summons played by
band standing beneath the tricolor Of
France they felt as they had not felt
before that never did soldiers battle
IN a holier cause, that never was there
such war for democracy as the pres
ent one. Convened as the representa-
tivcs of American socialism, labor and
radicalism, they loudly shouted ap-
proval when their newly elected pres
dent, Samuel Gompers, said, his voice
trembling with emotion:
"a peace at this time must necessar-
lily be predicated on Germany's con-
quests To ask the government of the
United States TO state the terms OF
peace now is TO play consciously or
unconsciously into the hands OF the
enemy. The papers to-day announce
that Germany is retiring from Flan-
dors. II IS the beginning Of the end.
Back from Flanders - back from
FrGnce-back from Belgium-back from
Serbia. Then and then only may we
talk peace Peace when it comes must
mean the crushing of autocratic mill
tarism for all time 10 come
Pictures Star of Democracy
The leader of organized labor in
America pictured the present war, in
which Amcricc stands linked with al
the democracles of earth, as the cul-
minating star Of a democracy which
has fought for the rights Of man in the
Revolution, in the War of 1872, IN the
Civil War and in the war for the lib
Grafton Of Cuba.
Reviewing the history Of the war,
and following Germany'5 ever growiny
disregard of American rights, as well
as those of all mankind, Mr.. Gompers
said that the nation that, here in its
righteousness, was once too proud 20
fight. had been forced to the place
where at last it was too proud not 10
fight.
lie reminded the pacifsts that war
had at last been proclaimed by the
very President who was reelected be-
cause he had kcps us out of war.
As to the argument that a referendum
should have first been taken on the
question Of peace or war, he pointed
out that the Constitution of the United
States delegated the power TO declare
war 10 the Congress, and the people
had suffered 1t TO remain there, and
added that when the issue of peace or
war arose il was not a question OF
referendum, but a question Of "who
should pull first"
In roundly condemning the obstruc-
zionist minority and the Peoples Coun-
Gil. he said that the alliance had
chosen Minneapolis as its meeting
place because tkc Peoples Council was
to be organized here, and he wanted
to answer argument with argument,
disseryice with service, disloyalty with
loyalty.
4 parallel that brought cheers from
the organized labor delegates was
drawn between the duties of minori-
ties in labor unions and in govern
ments. As the minority which refused
to walk out when a strike had been de-
clarcd by a lawful majority was
traitor to the union and to the cause of
labor, so was the minority in nation
guilty of treason 10 the nation when 1t
refused to support war once it was de-
clared.
"The man who is traitor to his
country" he declared. "is on par with
the scab in trade unionsm."
Frank p. Walsh, Of Kansas City, who
was invited to act as temporary chair
man Of the meeting after il had been
called to order by f. G.. Hail. president
of the American Federation Of Labor
Tor Minnesota. made an impassioned
address, in which he declared that IN the
face Of the great wave of loyalty and
patriotism now sweeping over the eoun-
try there would not be a trace Of OBJ
structionism or disloyalty to be found
at the end of ninety days.
MIR. Walsh, referring to his own Irish
ancestry, made q plea for union Of all
the diverse elements Of American cit
izenship TO support the government,
and particularly condemned the Irish
Americans who are making the wrongs
OF ireland StuinDlllS DlOCh III the
path Of the united democracies Of the
world advancing 10 crush autocracy.
Lind Arraigns Germany
Former Governor John Lind, who was
President Wilson's confidential repre-
sentative in Mexico, made searching
arrsignment of Germany's conduct in
the war and toward the United States.
He dealt or the fact that though we
had refrained from warring on Mexico
we were almost unanimous for the war
with Germany, and "yet q war with
Mexico meant little risk and much
gain and the war with Germany great
risk and no material gain"
Germany, he said, had adopted pi-
racv as its code of warfare, and was
waging a war of destruction on all the
free peoples Of the earth, so that there
was mo choice but 10 submit 10 the
HOhenzollerns or meet force with
force" and contend for peace that
will end war, 2 peace that will mean
life and not d6ath-the peace Of de-
mocracy that will alone save the world.
Every shot fired on the battlefelds Of
Europe drives another nail into the
coffin Of privilege
In nominating Mr.. Gompers for pres
ident of the alliance John Spargo spoke
Of him as a great champion of the fun
damental ideals of democracy. After
his unanimous election Mr.. Gompers
asked Frank Morrison, secretary of the