New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-08
Labor Leader Promises the
Support of America for
Democracy's Heads
us. Mission Approved
Suggestion Of Interference in
Internal Affairs Called
Policeman


premature peace by Russia and re-
newed assurances that American wage
earners and the American people are in
hearty sympathy with the Russian
democratic movement are included in a
long cablegram sent by President Sam
uel Gompers Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor to the executive commit
tee of the Council of Workmen's and
Soldiers Deputies at Petrograd.
To Combat Pro-Germanism
The message, timed to aid in COM
batting the pro-German agitation ap-
parent during the last few days in
Russia, was cabled yesterday. 1t says:
THE grayest crisis in the worlds
history is now hanging in the balance,
and the course which Russia Will pur-
sue may have 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 sac.
rifces which would ensue from lack OF
united action may be appalling. 1t is
10 avoid this that | address you.
an view Of the grave crisis through
which the Russian people are passing,
we assure you that you can rely abso-
lutely upon the wholehearted support
and cooperation of the American people
in the great war against our common
enemy. Kaiserism. In the fulhlment OF
that cause the present American gov
eminent has the support Of SO per cent
Of the American people, including the
working class of both the cities and the
agricultural sections.
America Is United
"In free America, as in free Russia.
the agitators for a peace favorable TO
Prussian militarism have been allowed
10 express their opinions so that the
conscious and unconscious tools OF the
Kaiser appear more influential than
thew really are. You should realize
the truth Of the situation. There are
but few in America willing to allow
Kaiserism and its allies TO continue
their rule over those non-German peo-
Piles who wish to be free from their
domination. Should we not protest
against the pro. Kaiser Socialist inter
prctation of the demand for no annex
ation-namely, that all oppressed non
German peoples shall be compelled to
remain under the domination OF Prus-
STA and her lackeys, Austria and Tur-
key? Should we not rather accept the
better Interpretation that there must
be no forcible annexations, but that
every people must be free to choose
any allegiance it desires, as demanded
by the Council of Workmen's and Sol
dicrs' Deputies
Like yourselves, we are opposed TO
all punitive and improper indemnities
We denounce the onerous punitive IN
IDENTITIES already imposed by the
Kaiser upon the people of Serbia, Bel
GUM and Poland.
"America's workers share the view of
the Council Of Workmen's and Soldiers
DEPUTIES that the only way in which
the German people can bring the war
10 an early end is by initiating tho
glorious example Of the Russian people,
! compelling the abdication OF the
/ Hobenzolierns and the Hapsburgs, and
driving the tyrannous nobility, bu-
reaucracy and the military caste from
power.
Work at Home for Germans
"Iot the German Socialists attend to
! This and cease their false pretences and
underground plotting TO bring about an
+ abortive peace in the interest OF Kaiser
/ ism and the ruling class. Let them
cease calling pretended international
conferences at the instigation or con-
nivance of the Kaiser. Let hem cease
their intrigues to cajole the Russian
and American working people to inter
pret your demand, no annexations, no
indemnities, in way to leave undl.
minished the prestige and the power OF
the German military caste.
Nov that Russian autocracy Is over
thrown. neither the American govern
ment nor the American people appre..
bend that the wisdom and experience OF
Russia in the coming Constitutional AS
semblv will adopt any form of govern
! ment other than the one best suited
IA vour needs. We feel confident that
no message, no individual emissary and
no commission has been sent, or will
he sent. with authority TO offer any ad-
vice whatever TO Russia as TO the con-
duct of her internal affairs. Any com
mission that may be sent will help Rus
! STA in any way that she desires TO COM
bat Kaiserism wherever IL exists or
may manifest itself.
Reports Are Denounced
WORD has reached US that false re-
ports of an American purpose and of
American opinions contrary to the
above statement have gained some cir
culation in Russia. We denounce these
reports as the criminal work Of desper-
ate Kaiser propagandists, circulat-
ed with the intent TO deceive and to
arouse hostile feelings between the two
great democracies Of the world. The
Russian people should know that these
activities are only additional NANTES
tation of the dark forces with which
Russia has been only too familiar in
the unhappy past.
"The American government, the