New-York tribune., 1918-03-04
Whose Enemy?


pers the American Federation of Labor is
rnequivocally committed to the proposition
that, first of all, Prussian military power
shall be defeated on earth. Three weeks
ago it's executive council declared that
The peace parleys between Russia and
Germany have shown the futility of diTlo-
matte negotiations until Prussian militia
rists are convinced they cannot superim-
pose their will on the rest of the world
Force is the basis of their whole organiza
ton and is the only argument they will
understand.
There is where this country stood when
1t declared war on Germany. Either that
IS true or it was absurd to go to war at all.
1t is where a great majority of the
American people stand this day, we hope
and believe, for, if that is not so, then the
war cannot go on as it should.
But it is not where "The New Repub-
lie" stands, and "The New Republic" says
it is not where the government stands.
If this is true it is very important. If
1.-The New Republic is right, then there
was, perhaps, more significance than any
body wished to admit in that obscure but
extraordinary phrase at the beginning of
the last paragraph but three of Mr.. Will
sons restatement Of peace conditions on
January 8. The phrase was:
Neither do We presume to suggest to her
Germany any alteration modification
Of her institutions.
What does that phrase include? What
does it mean? How can Germany over
throw the power of miitarisn or put off
the Hohenzollcrn yoke or embrace what we
call democracy without Elaboration or
modification of her insttutions"'
To return to "The New Republic Few
episodes connected with American partici-
patton in the war, It thinks, nave been
more distressing to American liberals than
the behavior of Mr. Gompers toward the
recent Inter Allied Labor Conference in
London This Inter Allied Labor Confer
cnee was called for the purposes One, of
formulating a common statement of war
aims: and, two, Of bringing about on
neutral soil a labor-socialist conference to
which German and Austrian representa-
t;ves should be invited It is the Stock
holm idea over again.
"Tne New Republic" ominously writes:
Mr.. Gompers has always treated the
idea of such general conference as q
German intrigue. lnasmuch as the
recent labor congress decided TO call a
conference which included Germans, hts
leaders must at best, in Mr.. Gompcrs' s
opinion, be earmarked the victims Of
German Vaccinations. His inability to
understand the reasons in favor Of such a
conference which have appealed strong
lv TO the organized workers of France and
Great Britain is one of the anomalies, and
may in the end become of the calami-
tics, of the wa-.
But the real indictment Of Mr. Gomper:
follows:
When Mr. Gompers repudiates any such
conference, when he condemns the discus
sion Of aims in advance Of military
victory az mischievous, he is in effect de
nyiny chat American labor has any contri
button Of its to offer at the confer
table. 1t is no wonder, consequently
that the British and French labor lead
ers arc in distress and anxiety sending .
delegation 10 this country to plead for as
sjstance from American labor. At tn.
very moment when French and British
labor preparing IL necessary, to OF
pose their governments in order 4
back up what they believe to be the polio
Of the American government, America
labor refuses to cooperate with them
Note that French and British labor ar
preparing to break with their government
in order to support the policy Of the Amcl
ican government!
What is that policy?
At Mr. Gompers's behavior "The Me-
Eepublic" is shocked and grieved, 1t &C
uitg Mr. Gornpers's loyalty 10 the 90,
cvument and his influence in procuring tn
eo1peration Of the American Federation q
Labor have been very helpful
But by his present course he IL runnn