The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-11-24
nILSON APPEALS
IS LABOR FOR
VAR SUPPORT
Tells Delegates He Would Like to
See All Critics Ex-
ported.
ASKS FOR A UNITED FRONT
Says Paeifists Cannot Bring About
Peace, but He can-Whiie We Are
Fighting for Freedom We Must
See That Labor Is Free.

Buffalo, n. Y, Nov. 13.-President
Wilson delivered a message to the
wOrkingmen of the United States in
an address before the annual conven-
ton of the American Federation of
Labor.
His entrance to the convention hall
was the signal for a tremendous out
burst of cheers from the 5000 people,
assembled to hear him.
Samuel GOmpers, president of the
federation, introducing Mr.. Wilson, re-
ferred to him as this man of destiny,
spokesman for freedom, interpreter
of the aims and spirit of our time, lead
er of thoughts and action among the
nations of the earth"
This is great privilege and a
great honor" said the president 81
.giady accepted the invitation because
it seems to me that it was a welcome
opportunity to speak to you some of
the thoughts which have been gather
ing in my mind for the past few
months. 1 would be glad if you re-
gard me. not as the president, but as
a man seeking counsel.
Causes of War
ST think that in order to realize of
just what moment this counsel IS, it
would be well TO remind ourselves just
how and why this war came about.
1.-THE war was started by Germany.
Her authors deny it, but l am will
ing to await the verdict of history.
Why did Germany start the war? Re
of n
Me world The whole world stood in
admiration of her intelligence and ma
teriaI achievements.
LAS university man / have been
surrounded by men trained in Ger
many. Nowhere else could they get
such trimming. Her industries were
perhaps the most competent IN the
world She had access to all mar
ketS in the world, but men in those
markets feared Germany because of
her almost Irresistible competition.
Her industries were perhaps the
best in the world. Her label, Made
in Germany was a guarantee of good
workmanship. She had place in the
sun. Why was she not satisfied?
What Did She Want2
was nothing in a world of peace she
did not have, yet she was not salts
lied.
''There is no important industry in
Germany upon which government has
not laid its hand to direct and, if
necessary. TO control it.
'They were the same kinds of COM
binations that we have tried to pre-
vent by law. The conditions of COM
petition were thus controlled by the
German government.
"a political control which would
enable to control all labor and indus
try Of the world was behind it all.
Look at the map of Europe
many, in thrusting again her peace
proposals upon us, talks of Belgium
northern France, Alsace-LOrraine.
Those are deeply interesting, put they
are not talking about the heart of the
matter.
Vast Dominion.
Look at the map of Germany's do
minion l saw a map the other day
appropriately printed in black, and the
black stretched all the way from Ham
burg to Bagdad.
"If she can keep that, her power can
disturb the world. always provided she
expects the present influences in the
country and the government can still
control.
Germany is determined that pOliti-
cal power of the world shall belong to
her. There have been such ambitions
before; they have been real. But never
before were they based on such an
exact and scientific plan Of domination
Power of Freedom.
''Power cannot be used against free
peoples, if it is used by free peoples
/ {What 1 am opposed to is not the
Seling of the pacifist, but their stu
pidity. My heart is with them, but my
mind has contempt for them.
"Any people that compounds with the
present German government is com
pounding for its own destruction.
81 want peace, but I know how to
get it and they don't"
A great cheer went up as the presi-
dent spoke these words.
''You will notice I sent a friend of
mine, Colonel House, to Europe, who
is as great love. of peace as there
Tho,,ohr Kent Him AIive