New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-09
Socialists Repudiate Debs,
Pledge Loyalty in War
Russell Meyer London and Wallng Denounce Elan fof
Strike-Labor Chiefs Declare Workers Are Soidly
Behind President Whatever May Come

Before war has been declared 1t IS the
duty OF Socialists to oppose II and pre-
vent il IL possible. But when war IS an
accomplished fact, then there must DC
unity. That has been the policy OF
Socialists throughout the world, and u
should be the policy of Socialists IN the
United States. would not advocate
adding civil war TO the crime OF inter
national war"
William English Wslling, author, so.
biologist and contributing editor oil
"The Masses" took more bitter view
Of the spirit exemplifed By Mr.. Debs 5
speech.
Accuses Hillquit and Berger
81 believe the programme OF the
American Socialist party was wriV'en
in Berlin" he announced. and then sc-
cused Morris Hllquit and Victor per
ger. men high in the councils OF Ihe
marty. with being under German inhu-
ence.
"Hillauit." he said, has stated time
and again Of late that he is IN con-
slant communication with DR.. Scneioe-
mann and other Socialist leaders In the
German Reichstag, who serve the
Kaiser lust as faithfully as Won nm
denburg. Iuview of the fact that mn,
quit. the cronie Of Scheidemann, ana
Rerger. frankly pro-German, rule he
marty | am justified in saying that the
var programme and policy OF the
American Socialist party was actually
written in Berlin.
"But. thank the Lord. we have many
GOOD Socialists who are not bllndeo oy
Debs, Berger and Hillquit. professor
Charles A. Beard, OF Columbia, one OF
the most brilliant Of the younger rsdl-
calls in this country. has repeate9Iy
stated that the Allies are fghtlng lpr
the principles of democracy, ana poo,
lack London said just before ne dled
that If he thought Germany could WIN
the war he would enlist ana rish HIS
life on the battlefield
Labor Backing President
"Didn'. even read the speech, SAID
John Golden. president of the United
Teytile WORKERS of America. an organ
;,a,ion with more than 10000 mem
~ "But if Debs intimates that
American labor is net or VIII not pc
bebind the President in war, he's taiS-
nc through his hat. Why, he has no
i;csnsa 10 speak for labor; he can
sneak for very many Socialists
"Debs will get his answer next Mon
day. when the real representatives oil
Labor meet in Washington declared
Hugh Frsyne, organizer for the Amer-
can Federation o. Labor. Ell we have
war. labor is going to do its part never
worry. Just as any other patriots would
do" ,bo r..
Timothy Healy, president OF the III.
ternationsl Brotherhood OF Statlohary
Firemen, said: Were solid benind tn ne
President. Whatever he does we II
support him TO the limit"
1--WE want the President TO stand up
for American rights declared b. A.
Larger. national secretary OF the UNI
cd Garment Workers OF America.
american labor is first Of all 'Ameri-
can and labor after that"
Other leaders in New YORK Iaoor
circles pointed, as the surest answer; 10
the conference which has been called
bv Samuel Gompers to meet IN wash
ington next Monday. 1t is to be at
tended by the presidents OF the 40 or
ganizations affiliated with the American
Federation and the heads Of the four
railway brotherhoods. The conference
will discuss the means whereby labor.
in the event Of war, can render the
most efficient service 20 the nation.