New-York tribune., 1918-02-26
Union Men Oppose Peace
Conferences Originating
in Berlin
Fear Pro-Gerrnanism
Believe Propaganda Aims to
Defeat Present President
of the A. r. of l..

Organized labor voiced It's hearty
approval yesterday of the stand taker
by Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, in re-
fusing to involve American workers in
any peace conference which originates
in Germany
Mr. Gompers announced Sunday that
recently he had received an invitation
from Karl Legion, head of the FEEDER
ated Trades Union of Germany and a
pro-war Social Democrat leader in the
Reichstag, to send American union
delegates to "an international confer
ence of workers. Mr. Gompers said he
had declined to participat in any
peace conference which was not predi-
Gated upon the complete downfall of
kaiserism
Ernest Bohm, secretary of the Cen
trail Federated Union, said yesterday
that union labor not only stands back
or Mr.. Gompers, but is preparing an
other campaign against pro German
propaganda IN labor unions. This fight
is under way in anticipation Of the con-
ventlon OF the American Federation of
Labor which will be held next June in
st. Paul. Mr., Bohm said he had intima
tlons that the pacifst clements were
planning to put up a candidate in on
position to Mr.. Gompers.
German Propaganda Working
"The Kaiser's winning ways. as
worked through his elaborate propa-
ganda in this country, have succeeded
IN converting about 30 per cent of labor
union men to the pacifst cause" said
Mr.. Bohm. "I understand that these
elements are now aligning their forces
10 oust MI Gompers at the ST. Paul
convention. They Will be ignominious-
" beaten
"There is not a loyal union man in
TINS country to-day who does not give
hearty support to Mr.. Gompers. In re-
tuslng to participate in peace con-
terence which is distinctly German in
flavor Mr.. Gompers voices the senti-
ments OF labor unionism as whole
John Golden, president of the United
Textile Workers. said: when John
Lord, president OF the mining division
of the American Fedora ton Of Labor,
and | went to the British labor confer
take the stand that while we were will
ing to confer with delegates from the
Allied countries we would have moth
ing to do with any delegates from the
Central Powers. That position was
enunciated at the federation's Buffalo
convention last year. The reason we
are not willing to treat with the labor
elements of Germany is because Ger
man labor has never repudiated the
German army's policy of frightfulness.
and even the German Socialists are
voting tor German war measures. I'm
I'll German wcrkmen repudiate the acts
Of their government, how can we treat
With them ana still be loyal to Amer
Ca ?"
Labor Circles United
Bernard Larger. secretary of the
United Garment Workers Union. said
here really Is no division in union la
oor circles in its support of Mr.. Com
1ers. There has always been a radical
-lement, but it never has been taken
'ack OF Gompers as long as he stands
10 doubt of his loyalty"
Chester NJ Wright, of the American
Alliance for Labor and Democracy.
aid the labor unions support of the
fompers regime was not confined 10
he East. Out in the Middle West and
IN the Coast loyal union men are for
continuing the war until kaiserism is
,nded," said Mr.. Wright. "When Com
'ers takes stand you may know he
lrst has consulted the sentiments of
he rank and file of the workers. When
lie says NO parleying with the Ger
mans we reecho his sentiments"