Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-21
TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY
BATTLE CRY OF LABOR
British Workers Criticized for Allow
ing Sclf-Sccking Politicians to
Manage Their Affairs.
WoRKINGMEN USED" BY THEM
Many "Politician-I.abor Leaders"
Arc Not Themselves I.aboring
Membranes Wilson Makes Criti-
ciSn Of "LabOrites"
BY JAMES WILSON,
Chairman of the Labor Section OF the
American Wnr Delegation.


|
tInternationa, News Bureaul
! In company with my colleagues. I
/ have seen in my six weeks tour the
shipyards and the factories of our great
ally. Britain have been amongst the
battle ruins of France. and / have seen
and chattcd with the soldiers OF the
British and French armies. And re-
! turn to America in good heart.
don't believe in cffcrvesccnt opti-
mistic cye-wash. We of the labor
| movement in A6,erica are accustomed
- look realities right in the face. and
to act accordingly. And after all /
have seen and heard during this won
dcrful tour. | AIN satisfied that Ger
many has got TO be. and is going to
| be. beaten
| Behind the spectacular side of this
! war there is being waged conflict
! which means much TO the workers OF
/ all nations. AuiOcracy and democracy
/ are at deaths grips.
DEMOCKACIEs REALIZE
MEANING or STRUGGLE
One must conquer and one must de
/ The dcmocracies of the allied coun-
/ tries realize what this struggle means
and when the working classes OF the
/ central powers realize il also, they will
! be glad to see the victory on our side.
| have hid opportunities of studying
! the labor movement in Britain. and |
| harf come to il definite conclusion
/ which propose 10 report TO the Ameri-
| can Federation of Labor. and through
/ that body To the convention.
My conclusion is that the labor
| movement in Great Britain. which we
! In America understand to be he trades
| union movement, composed entirely Of
the men in the mill. mine and factory
are doing everything they can TO assist
! In,
| prosecution of the war
| All true trades unioniSis have rccog-
/ nized that TO maintain their liberties
| Berlin's power must be destroyed. To
| compromise with il me MS only a ces-
! saiion OF hosti!ties With a continued
! growth Of militarism Il natural con
sequence OF that compromise.
STRUGGLE MUST BE
FOUGHT TO FINISH
There must be no compromise in this
( struggle; it must be u fight To a finish.
/ with victory 10 one side and defeat
| TO the other.
| Therefore. trades unionists must be
! loyal to themselves and their class, and
/ fight on until victory. which means so
| much, is gained.
The issue must he determined now.
so that the future peace OF the world
may be secured for all time.
| 1t would no; be possible TO study
! labor conditions in Britain without
! noting one feature, which is not d
/ healthy one for the labo. movement.
There ere in Great Britain class OF
! politicians who set themselves up AS
| the leaders OF labor. who so far as
! my observation goes. are not as "A gen
| eral rule workingmeu themselves, and
| VINO are seeking their own political
advancement without giving due re-
| gard TO the big issue involved il. this
| wa:.
oil.
! from this impudent entertainment OF
| politicians upon our labor movement
| because we have always taken up the
| position that we would he partisan TO
| principle and not partisan TO IA political
| party.
! DO not. of course. presume to tell
| the leaders OF the labor movement in
| Britain the line OF policy they ought
| 10 adopt such an acton on my part
| would be very properly resented
Eut | trust l may he permitted to
state what is the policy of the Ameri-
| can Federation OF Labor without Civ
| ing offcnsc.
| am convinced. and my colleagues
| in America will agree with me. that
no trade union movement can meet
with success and have Il proper degree
! OF harmony and singlencss OF purpose
that permits other than the workers
| themselves to be their official repre-
sentatives and spokesman.
AS to the dcmocracies of the central
| powers, | would say one word IT can
! not b forgotten that by unanimous
| vote of the labor convention at Buffalo
| last November II was decided that no
| American representative OF labor
| would attend any conference at which
! were present delegates representing
any OF the enemy countries.
There will he 20 going back on that
After nearly four years OF war with
| tremendous sacrifice and suffering In
| Great Britain, il is impressive and in
| spring TO see the wonderful spirit OF
confidence displayed in the great mass
| OF the people.
! am satisfied that this spirit will be
| maintained TO the end and that with
all the forces OF the allied govern
| mcnts co-ordinatcd and the work
| pushed forward is now being done
recognizing that there perhaps may
| have been mistakes and that there will
| be mistakes in the future-we may
! look forward with confidence to the
| cause of the allies prevailing with the
! liberties OF the world and the right OF
! the people TO determine for them
selves how they shall live secured for
| all time.
1T will be the greatest victory in his
| tory-the triumph OF democracy over
| autocracy.
Opportunities greatest field in rccos-
lv,ft aI I,A ,s.,t,