Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-02-18
~ ,Iaration Issued by Execu-
tive Council Of Federation
Sounds Call TO Workers for
N Help,
DESTINY OF NATIONS
DEPENDS ON OUTCOME
Peace ParIeyS Between Russia
and Germany Have Demon
Strated That Prussia Must
Be Crushed.
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Washington, Feb. l7.--American la
bor's endorsement of war aims as stat
cd by President Wilson and recogni-
| ton that the war against Prusslanism
| Is working mans war is recorded in
| a declaration issued tonight by the
executive council Of the American
Federation OF Labor at the close of n
seven day session at headquarters
| here.
| The declaration says the peace par
leys between Russia and Germany
have shown the futlity of diplomatic
negotiations until the German militar.
lists are convinced they cannot super
impose their will on the rest of the
world. and that spontaneous uprisings
| in Germany have demonstrated that
the militarist government still is
tronger than the movement there for
emancipation. A gigantic struggle iia4
ahead and now is time when all
Importance of their daily work. says
the declaration.
Text of Declaration.
Following is the text of the deciar-
alton:
I'VE are face to face with n world
crisis. We are In O world stuggla
which will determine for the imme-
diate future wether principles OF DEM
ocratic freedom or principles OF force
shall dominate. The decision win de-
termine not only the destiny OF ma
tions but of every community and
of every individual. No life win be
untouched
Either the principles of free de-
mocracy or of Prussian miiitaristio
autocracy will prevail. There can be
no compromise. So there can be no
neutrality among nations or individ
uals- we must stand up and be count
ed with one cause or the other. For
labor there is but one choice.
German Victory Calamity.
"The hope of labor lies in oppor-l
tunity for freedom. The workers of
America will not permit themselves
to be deceived or deceive themselves
into thinking the fate of the war will
! not vitality change our own lives. A
victory for Germany would mean a
|
Europe and exercising a world bal
ance of power which Germany will
seek TO extend by force into world
control.
"Prussian rule means supervision,
checks, unfreedom in every relation
of life.
Suppresses Freedom
"Prussianism has its 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 industrial
protected by perfect freedom for
all.
Unless the reconstruction shall
soon come from the German workers
within that country II is now plain
that opportunity TO uproot tho
agencies Of force will come only when
democracy has defeated autocracy in
the military field and wins the right
to reconstruct relations between ma
tions and men. The peace parleys be-
tween Russia and Germany have
shown the futiltiy OF diplomatic me-
lgotiations until Prussian militarists
Iare convinced they cannot super
impose their will on the rest of the
world. Force is the basis of their
whole organization and is the only
largument they will understand.
Government Still Strong.
Spontaneous uprisngs in Germany
in protest against the militarist gov.
lernment have shown that the German
government is still stronger than the
movement for German emancipation,
German freedom Is ultimately the
problem of the German people. But
the defeat of Prussian autocraey on
the battlefield will bring an oppor-
tunity for German liberty at home.
1--WE have passed the period when
any one nation can maintain Its free
dom irrespective of other nations. Cie-
ilization has closely linked nations to-
gether by the ties of commerce. and
quick communication, common inter-
est. problems and purpose.
The future of free nations will de-
! pend upon their joint ability to de-
, wise agencies for dealing with their
, common affairs so that the greatest
opportunity for life, liberty and pur-
lsuit of happiness may be assured to
| Iall.
Labor Is Foundation.
This matter of world democracy
is of vital interest to labor. Labor IL
! not sector apart; 1t represents the
, invincible desire for greater oppor-
. ltunity of the masses of all nations:
+ labor Is the Drawn, sinews and
e brains Of society. 1t is the user Of