Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-08
While Opposing ForCibIe Anil
nexation, Labor Chief SayS|
People Should Choose Their
Own Government.
ALIEN PROVINCES ARE
ENTITLED TO FREEDOM
Declares Punitive IndemnitieS,
Such as Germany Imposes,
Wicked; Warns Against
German Socialists.
icy MORNING. JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wssi

Washington, May "A plea against
a premature peace for Russia and re-
newed assurances that American
wage earners and the American peo-
pie are in hearty sympathy with the
Russian democratic movement, are in
Cluded in lon gCablegram sent by
President Samuel Gompers, of the
American Federation of Labor, to the
executive committee of the councils OF
workmen's and soldiers deputies al
Petrograd.
Speaking for organized labor, Mr..
GOmpers also expresses complete con-
fidence in the purposes and opinions
of the American war mission soon to
go to Russia. Although he does not
mention specifically the recent attacks
on Elihu Root, who will head the mis-
sion. the labor leader denounces az
criminal and pro-German any sugges-
ton that the members will seek to in
terfere in Russia'S internal affairs OF
will give any advice except with the
purpose of combating the common
enemy.
Should Choose Allegiance.
ForCiblc anneXations are con
demned but Mr.. Gompers pleads that
every people affected by the war
should in the end be free to choose
also are denounced and hope is ex-
pressed that leaders OF the working
classes of the central empires will
cease plotting for an abortive peace
and will bring a real peace by over
throwing the autocracies of Hohen-
zollern and Hapsburg.
The message, timed to aid in COM
batting the pro-Germar agitation ap-
parent in the last few days in Russia,
was cabled yesterday It's text was
made public tonight as follows:
Text of CaMed Message.
'The gravest crisis in the world 8
history is now hanging in the balance
and the course which Russia will pur-
sue may have a determining influence
whether democracy or autocraCy shall
prevail. That democracy and free
dom will finally prevail there can be
no doubt in the minds of men who
know, but the cost, the time lost, and
the sacrifices which would ensue from
lack of united action may be appall-
ing.
I'm view of the grave crisis through
which the Russian people are passing,
we assure you that you can rely abso
lutely upon the whole-hearted sup
nn nrt a nN nf hA rt
can people in the great war against
our common enemy, kaiserism. In
the fulfillment of that cause the pres
ont American government has the
support of 90 per cent of the Ameri-
can people, including the working
ricultural sections.
Proper Annexation.
"In free America as in free Russia
the agitators for peace favorable TO
Prussian militarism have been al
lowed to express their opinions so
that the conscious and unconscious
tools of the kaiser appear more influ-
entail than they 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 nom
German peoples who wish to be free
from their domination. Should we
not protest against the pro-kaiser So
cialist Interpretation of the demand
for no annexation namely, that all
oppressed non-German peoples shall
be compelled to remain under the
domination of Prussia and her lack
eys. Austria nd Turkey? Should we
rather not accept the better 'nterpre-
tation that there must be no forcible
but that every people must
be free to choose any allegiance it
as demanded by the council
of workmens and soldiers deputies
Denounces Tndemnitics.
Like yourself We are opposed to all
punitive and improper indemnites
We denounce the onerous punitive in
IDENTITIES already imposed by the
kaiser upon people of Serbia, Belgium
and Poland.
Americas workers share the view
of the council of workmen's and