The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-02-23

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-Ameri-
In labor's Endorsement Of war aims
stated by President Wilson and
,cognition that the war against
russianism is a working mans war
recorded in a declaration issued
st Sunday night by the executive
>uncil of the American Federation
Labor at the close of a seven-day'
.ssion here. A gigantic struggle lies
head and now is time when all
orkers must soberly face the grave
Importance of their daily work, says
he declaration. e.
Following is the text of the state
lent: -. - :
:We arc face to face with a world
risis. We are in world struggle
'hich will determine for& the I'M
-lediate future whether the principles
democratic freedom or principles
force shall dominate. The decision
ill determine not only the destiny
nations but of every community and
every individual. No life will he
Untouched.
Either the principles Of free de-
locracy or of Prussian militaristic
utocracy will prevail. There can be
o compromise. There can be no
eutrality among nations or individ-
ais. We must stand up and be
ounted with the one cause or the
Their. For labor there is but one
hoice.
Hope of Labor.
1.-The hope of labor lies in opportun-
y for freedom. The workers of
america will not permit themselves
be deceived or deceive themselves
uto thinking the fate of the war will
lot vitality change our lives. A VIC
DRY for Germany would mean a pam
ierman empire dominating Europe
nd exercising world balance of
lower which Germany will seek to
xtend by force into world control.
-. UNLESS the reconstruction shall
DON come from the German workers
within that country it is now plain
hat an opportunity to uproot the
gencies of force will come only when
democracy has defeated autocracy in
he milit;.ry field, and wins the right
reconstruct relations between the
'ation. and men.
THE peace parleys between Russia
= nd Germany have shown the futility
T. diplomatic negotiations until Prus-
ian militarists are convinced they
annot super-inpose their will on the
est of the world. Force IS the basis
# their whole organization and is the
nly argument they will understand.
See Kaiscr's Strength.
"Spontaneous uprisings in Germany
n protest against the militarist gov
,rnment have shown that the German
government is still stronger than the
r. ~
German freedom is ultimately the
problem of the German people, But
he defeat of Prussian autocracy on
he battlefield will bring an opportu-
1ity for German liberty at home.
Labor vitality Interested.
:" This matter of world democracy
of vital interest to labor. 1t rep
'esents the invincible desire for great
opportunity l., the masses of all ma
ions Labor is the Drawn, sinews
md brains Of society. 1t is user Of
he tools. Tools under creative
power of muscle and brains shape
he materials of civilization. Labor
makes possible every great forward
movement of the world. But labor is
nseparable from physical and spirit
1al life and progress. Labor now
llonCo ~ poooAD4C Illa~ IA1o b1toA1N
struggle for democratic freedom can
oe made.
1.-THE common people everywhere
are hungry for wider opportunities to
i've. They have shown the wiling
ness to spend or be spent for an ideal.
They are in this war for ideals. Those
ideals are best expressed by their
chosen representative in message
delivered to the congress of the United
States, Jan. s, setting forth the pro-
gram of the worlds peace. President
Wilson's statement of war aims has
been unreservedly Endorsed by British
organized labor. It is in absolute
harmony with the fundamentals in
dorsed by the Buffalo convention of
the American Federation of Labor.
At War for Ideals.
eve are at war for those ideals.
Our first big casualty list has brought
to every home the h3rass and the
sacrifices of war. This is only the
beginning. \ gigantic struggle lies
Just ahead that will test to the utter
most the endurance and the ability
and the spirit of our people, That
struggle will be fought out in the
mines. farms, shops, mills, shipyards,
as we'll as on the battlefield. Soldiers
and sailors are helpless if the pro-