Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-21

Washington, Feb. 17.-American lahor's
endorsement Of war aims as stated by
President Wilson and recognition that the
war against Prussianism Is working
mems war is recorded in a declaration
issued by the executive council OF the
American Federation of Labor at the
close Of q seven-day session at head
quarters here.
The declaration says the peace parleys
between Russia and Germany have shown
the futility of diplomatic negotiations
until the German militarists are con-
WINGED they cannot superimpose their will
on the rest of the world. A gigantic
struggle lies ahead and now is time
when all workers must soberly face the
grave importance of their daily work.
says the declaration, and 1t adds:
"Give workers decent place to live.
protect them against conditions to take
all their wages for bare existence. give
them agencies whereby grievances can
be adjusted and Industrial justice assured.
make 1t plain that their labor counts
in the winning a war for greater freedom
mot for private profiteering. and workers
can confidently be expected to do their
part. Workers are loyal. They want to
do their share for the republic and for
winning the war;
TEXT OF THE DECLARATION.
Following is the text of the declara-
ton:
1--WE are face to face with a world
crisis. We are in world struggle which
will determine for the immediate future
whether principles Of democratic freedom
or principles of force shall dominate.
The decision will determine not only the
destiny Of nations, but Of every COM
munity and Of every individual. No life
will be untouched.
LABOR HAS BUT ONE CHOICE.
Either the principles of free democracy
or Of Prussian militaristic autocracy will
prevail. There can be no compromises.
So there can be no neutrality among
nations or individuals-we must stand
I'D and be counted with one cause or
the other. For labor there is but one
choice.
"The hope Of labor lies in opportunity
for freedom. The workers OF America
will not permit themselves to be de-
ceived or deceive themselves into thinking
the fate of the war will not vitality
change our own lives. A victory for
Germany would mean a Pan-German
empire dominating Europe and exercising
world balance Of power which Ger
many will seek to extend by force into
world control.
WHAT PRUSSIANISM MEANS.
"Prussian rule means supervision,
checks. unfreedom in every relation Of
life.
"Prussianism has it's roots in the old
ideal under which men sought to rule
by suppressing the minds and Wills Of
their fellows; It blights the new ideal
Of government without force or chains
political or ndustrial-protected by per-
feet freedom for all.
UNLESS the reconstruction shall soon
come from the German workers within
that country 1t Is now plain that an oppor-
tunity to uproot the agencies Of force
will come when democracy has defeated
autocracy in the military field and win
the right to reconstruct relations between
the nations and man. The peace parleys
between Russia and Germany have shown
the futility Of diplomatic negotiations
until Prussian militarists are convinced
they cannot superimpose their will on
the rest Of the world. Force is the basis
of their whole organization and is the
only argument they will understand.
Spontaneous uprisings In Germany
In protest against the militarist gov
eminent have shown that the German
government is still stronger than the
movement for German emancipation.
German freedom is ultimately the prob
lem Of the German people But the
defeat of Prussian autocracy on the
battle field will bring an opportunity
for German liberty at home
CIVILIZATION LINKS NATION
I'VE have passed the period when
any one nation can maintain it's free
dom irrespectively of other nations.
Civilization has closely linked nations
together by the ties of commerce. and
quick communication. common inter-
ests. problems and purposes. The flu
ture of free nations will depend upon
their joint ability to devise agencies
for dealing with their common affairs
80 that the greatest opportunity for
life. liberty and pursuit of happiness
may be assured to all.
"This matter Of world democracy Is
OF vital interest to labor. Labor IL not
o sect or party. 1t represents the In
vtncible desire for greater opportunity
OF the masses of all nations, labor Is
the Drawn. sinews and brains of So
ciety. 1t IL the user of tools. Tools
under the creative power Of muscle and
brains shape the materials of civiliza-
ton, Labor makes possible every
great forward movement of the world.
But labor n tnsanarabls from nhvainal