The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-20
LABOR BACKS PRESIDENT.
BRITISH MISSION TAKES MES.
SAGE TO FELLOWS.
Determination to Win and Spirit of
Sacrifice Manifested Make Impress
sion OH Visitors.

new fOrk, April WIN mes
sage to the British government and
people that American labor is Loyalty
behind President Wilson in the prose-
cution of the war, the British labor
mission which for two months has
been touring the United States has
departed for England.
In statement given out after their
departure through the American A..
lance for Labor and Democracy, Wal
ter A. Appleton, spokesman for the
British laborers, declared that F"Amer-
lean labor is loyal to the core" Mr..
Appleton said that the patriotic course
of the American Federation Of Labor
has been IAN inspiration" to himself
and colleagues The determination to
win and the spirit of sacrifice mani
tested on all sides is an augury of
great triumph for the forces of de-
mocracy."
Joshua Butterworth, William L.
Moses and Charles Duncan, MP,
were the other members of the mis-
sion.
eat first" Mr.. Appleton's statement
read, 'the differences in comfort and
social well being - the bright
ly lighted streets. the plentiful sup
plies of food. the laughing, careless
happiness of the people-all provide
contrasts that were too sharp for my
nerves. Each day, however, brought
me nearer the real heart of America,
each day made it easier to realize the
fact that all this vivacious force, all
this plentitude Of natural and intel
lectual resources, was to be used with
out stint and ungrudgingly in the fight
which democracy is waging against
autocracy. r
'"The immense area of America, the
extent and character of it's agricul-
turall it's mineral and industrial wealth
have profoundly impressed me-, but
what has sunk most deeply into my
livery soul is the absolutely unselflsh
devotion with which America is con-
secrating all her resources to Belgium,
France. italy. Russia, Servias Rou-
mania and to my own dear country.
ia Some Americans have criticized
the departmental committees. Others
have feared that America might be
too late but no soul has ever spoken OF
cost as 1t was matter that every
american had time to discuss. Amer
lea has given. me- personally aflsction-
ate regard and to my country and tc
the allies she has given Of her man
power and Of her boundless wealth
with an abandon and a generosity
which brings tears to my eyes, when
! think of it, and If 1t is true that the
Lord loves cheerful giver' then in
deed the Lord must love America.
II am personally charged by Sam
fuel Gompers to convey to the British
people and government and particu-
larly to Mr.. Lloyd George the assur-
ance that the American Federation
of Labor and all who are directly and
indirectly associated with it,. are
whole heartedly behind President
Wilson and that they will back all the
efforts of the United States govern
ment to force peace which shall de-
stroy for all time the efforts of Ger
man militarism to enthrall democracy
I'VE carry from America renewed
confidence and inspiration. Our 60
days amongst her people have shown
us beyond any manner Of doubt her
capacity. her sincerity and her deter
rnination. She has already started to
write upon the walls of Postdam's
palace the fateful Meme, Meme. tekel
upharsin."
Referring to attacks Of American
pacifists and radicals upon the mis-
sion. Mr.. Appleton in the statement
|
said:
Misrepresentation fostered by jeal-
ousy threatened at first to interfere
with the usefulness of the British la
Dor mission. The people of America
were too acute for propaganda of this
kind and the attempt to undermine
the usefulness of the mission and to
delay the transport Of men, munition
and food have signally failed. Ameri-
cans came to the meeting, and lis
tened to the story We had to tell
and the resolutions of loyalty to their
own government and to the cause OF
the allies were everywhere carried
with enthusiasm and unanimity.
Col. HagOOd Made Brigadicr General.