The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-12
Demand Workers Delegates at
World Peace Conference.
OUTLINES BASIS PEACE TERMS
For Free Speech, but Warns
Against "Anti" Agitators.
Urges Combination of Free
Peoples in World Covenant.

ton of wage eafnerS at the WorAd
peace conference is made in the an
nual report of the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor,
submitted today to the federation IN
convention here. The report declares
that the world war must wipe out
all vestiges of the old conceit that the
nation belongs to the ruler"
Questions raised by the war occupy
virtually the entire report. No room
is left for doubt that the United States
government has the unanimous sup
port of organized American labor in
the war and it is asserted with equat
emphasis that the vital interests of the
average citizen demand that he have
a voice in the readjustments to come
with the dawn of peace.
Free Speech and Traitors.
Optimism over labor achievements
in the last year is tempered with
warning that benefits obtained from
emergency opportunities must be
based on principles of human welfare
and not the result of taking advantage
of the nations necessity. Freedom of
expression is upheld, but the report
says those who abuse the freedom of
the press to undermine the nations
free institutions should be punished
as traitors.
President Wilson'S war address to
congress is included in the report,
with the declaration adopted by
meeting of union officials last March
when it was seen to be inevitable that
the European conflagration would
spread to America. Under the head
ing Labor and the War" the report
says:
Under all circumstances it is the
duty of any government to protect its
people against wilfuI and wholesale
murder. people unwilling to
make the supreme sacrifice in sup
port of the government which under
takes to make that principle good are
undeserving to live and enjoy the
privilege of free, democratic govern
ment."
Without Vindictive IndemnitieS.
The duty of wage-earners in the
war is emphasized particularly in the
section of the report devoted to
Peace Terms" which advocates AN
international agreement to secure
peace and the settlement of the pres
ent war without 'vindictive" indemni-
ties or territorial changes. The sec
ton says:
1T is an imperative duty from
which there is no escape that wage
earners as we'll as all other citizens
Of this republic support our govern
ment in its righteous effort to de-
fend principles of humanity and to
establish democracy in international
relations. Because we desire perma-
nent peace it is our duty to fight and
sacrifice until these purposes can be
achieved.
Human Welfare First.
when nations can send representa-
tives to negotiate peace terms in ac-
cord with this concept, we main
tain that the basic provisions of the
peace treaty should be formulated
with regard to the rights and welfare
of the men, women and children con-
shutting the nations rather than the
governments of the nations. The
government should be only an instru-
mentality of the people instead of
dominating and actuating their lives.
This terrific war must wipe out all
vestiges of the old concept that the
nation belongs to the ruler or govern
ment.
I'VE hold that the same principles
should apply to relations between ma
tions and that secret diplomacy should
be replaced by diplomatic representa-
tives responsible to the. people of their
own people and received by either the
parliament of the country to which
they are accredited or by a representa-
tive of the people, responsible to them.
working people have never been
properly represented in diplomatic af-
fairs. The future must be construct
ed upon broader lines than the past
We insist, therefore. that the govern
ment of the United States provide ade-
quate and direct representatives of
wage earners among the plenipoten-
tiaries sent to the peace congress. and
urge upon the labor movements Of
other countries to take like action.
Basis for Peace Terms.
I'VE urge the adoption of the fol-
lowing declarations as the basis upon
which peace must be negotiated:
81. The combination of the free
nf n
covenant for genuine and practical CO.
operation to secure justice and there
fore peace in relations between ma
lions.
"2. Governments derive their just
power from the consent of the gov
SO. No political or economic re-
strictions meant to benefit some ma
tions and to cripple or embarra SIS
others.
"a. No indemnities or reprisals
based upon vindictiNe purposes or de-
liberate desire to fnjure, but to right
manifest wrongs.
SO. Recognition CT the rights of
small nations and of the principle,
No people must be forced under SOW
ereignty under which it does not wish
to live
"6. No territorial changes or adjust
ment OF power except in furtherance
of the welfare of the peoples affect
ed and in furtherance of world peace.
Defends Anti-ChiId Labor
I'm addition to these basic princi-
pies which are based upon decIara-
tions of our president of these United
States, there should be incorporated in
the treaty that shall constitute the
guide of nations in the new period and
conditions into which we enter at the
close of the war the following decla-
rations, fundamental to the best in
terests of all nations and of vital i'm
portanee to wage earners:
81. No article or commodity shall
be shipped or delivered in interna-
tionai commerce in the production of
which children under the age of 16