Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-08
THE GREAT AMERICAN LEADER
CABLES LENGTHY MESSAGE
TO WORKERS.
BEWARE OF GERMANY's
lNTRIGuEs FOR PEACE
Gompers Says kaissrism and It's Allies
Hass No Place in Democracy Being
Established by Russian People
!. Message Paves Way For Reception Of
American Commission soen to Visit
Petrosrad.

Washington. May S.---A plea against
a premature peace for 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 cablegram sent by President Samuei
Gonpers of the American Federation
of Labor to the executive committee
of the council of worklnen's and SOL
diers' deputies at Petrograd.
Mr. Gompers also expresses complete
confidence in the purposes and opln-
ions of the American war mission soon
to go to Russia. He denounces as GRIM
inai and pro-Gernfan any suggestion
that the members will seek to inter-
fere in Russia's internal affairs or VIII
give any advice except with the pur-
pose of combating the common enemy.
Forcible annexations are condemned,
but Mr.. Gompers pleads that every
peopIe affected by the war should IN
the end be free TO choose their allegi-
ance Punitive indemnities also are
leaders of the working classes OF the
central empires will cease plotting ior
an abortive peace and will bring real
i,...e by nverthrowine the aufocracles
of Hohenzoliern and Hapsburg.
Text Of the Message.
The message. timed TO aid in combat
ing the pro- German agitation apparent
during the last ew>days in Russia. was
cabled yesterday. Its full text follows:
THE grarest crisis in the worlds MIS-
tory is now hanging in the balance, ana
the course which Russia Will pursue
NAV have a determining influence
whether democracy or autocracy shah
prevail That democracy and freedom
will finally prevail theEe can be no
doubt in the minds of men who know,
but the cost. the time lost, and the sac
rifices which would ensue from lack OF
uniteA action may be appalling II Is
TO avoid this that | address YOU
I'm view Of the grave crisis fhru
which, the Russian people are passing,
we assure you that you can rely aoso-
lutely upon the wholehearted support
and cooperation OF the American peo-
Die 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
GLIDING the working classes OF both the
cities and of the agricultural sections
Agitators Aid Germany.
an free America. as in free Russia,
the agitators for peace favorable TO
Prussian militarism have been allowed
to express their opinion, so that the
conscious and unconscious tools of the
kaiser appear j more influential than
they really are.
You should realize the truth of the
situation. There are but few in Amer
lea willing to allow kaiserism and its
allies to continue their rule over those
non German peoples who wish to be
free from their domination.
"Should we not protest against the
pro kaiser socialist Interpretation Of
the demand for no annexation
~: that all oppressed no-German peo-
pies shall be compelled to remain un-
der the domination Of Prussia and her
lackeys. Austria and Turkey? should
we not rather accept the better inter-
probation 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 soldiers deputies?
Oppose Punitive Indemnity.
Like yourselves, we are opposed to
all punitive and improper indemnities.
We denounce the onerous punitive in
IDENTITIES already imposed by the kali
ser upon the people of Serbia. Belgium,
and Poland.
Americas workers share the view OF