Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-01
ON DEMOCRACY
 AND FORMS OF PEACE
Several Speakers Severely Criticized
 the Government.

New York, May 31-A report of it's committee on liberties which pledg- ed support to "all conscientious ob- jectors" to the conscription law, and a telegram from Former United States Senator John D. Works of California, in which he said we diShonored our selves by declaring war without ade- quate or reasonable cause" were fea- lures of the afternoon session here today of the so-called First Ameri can Conference on Democracy and Terms of Peace.
 Several speakers severely criticized the government, one declaring that within the last sixty days we have completely transformed our govern ment, and the people have had noth- ing to say about it, so far have they been removed from control of their government" The same speaker Gill bert E. Roe, president of the Free Speech League O. America, added that somewhere along the line the voters of this country must have a chance to express themselves.''
 Worse Than ChatteI Slavery.
 Norman l.. Thomas. addressing the meeting on "Conscription and the Conscientious Obiector," charged that the attempt to force man to fight is worse than the imposition of chat tel slavery"
 "We must oppose the enactment of such legislation, Thomas asserted, or all our hopes both of democracy and peace are made a mockery. Ar guments for the democracy of such a system are either aStonishingly re- f1ectiVe or dishonest. Such a meas ure Of conScription as we now have the SelectiVe draft-;nvolves dangers too little considered by the public and a campaign of education looking to the repeal of the law will be of great public service, even though such re- peal lcsisla tion is improbable in the midst Of the war
 Former Senator Works.
 Former Senator Works. in his telc- gram, said, in part:
 T am conScientiously opposed to the war and in favor of bringing it to a speedy close by any and legiti- of our country. We dishonored our selves by declaring war without ade- quate or reasonable cause. We should do the country the honor of correcting The people of this country do not want war. If the issue had been left to them we would be at peace now. Having been brought into this war against their will. they should stand firmly for peace and use every proper means to bring it about Alliance with foreign nations should not be tolerated. Our hands should be kept entirely free to negotiate peace at any time without regard to the interests or desires of any other nation"
 Report of Committee on Liberties.
 The report of the committee on American liberties, of which the Rev. Richard w. Hogue, director of the Civic Forum of Baltimore, is chair man, urged aboIishment of "secret df- piomacy" and added:
 We demand democratic control of our foreign policy. We call for referendum on questions of war and conscription. We insist on discussion in congress. in the press and in pulp lie meetings of the terms of all all dances. agreements and treaties. It seems to be the intention of the gov ernment now to forbid even the dis cussion of their terms of peace in the press and in public meetings.%
 With reference to conscription /and "conscientious objectors,' the report said:
 "It is contrary to Amrican tradition to force them to enroll for war ser vice against their conscience"
 We also declare" the report add ed that all Americans are entitled to passports to neutral countries Leg islation now pending in congress, if