Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1918-07-11

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lshould guide our nation in the Con-
duct OF the war.
Whatever ideas we as individuals
may have had, as to the wisdom of
our nation engaging in this war, we
realize that crisis now confronts us,
in which 1t becomes necessary that we
all stand unreservedly pledged to
Safeguard, defend and preserve our
Icountry.
sin making this declaration of our
position, we declare unequivocally
that we stand for our country, right
or wrong, as against foreign govern
Iments with whom we are actually en-
ilgaged in war; Still we hold that
when we believe our country wrong,
we should endeavor to set her right.
HThe only justification for war is
to esta blish and maintain human
rights and interests the world over.
For this reason we are opposed to
Ewaging war for annexation, either on
manding indemnity as terms of peace.
manding indemnity astefms of peace.
Bitter experience has proved that any
Eexactions, whether of.land or revenue,
1serve only to deepen resentments and
thatreds, which inevitably incite to fu-
ture wars.
I'VE therefore urge that our gov
ernment, before proceeding further
in support Of our European allies, in
sist that they in common with it make
Immediate public declaration of terms
OF peace, without annexation of ter
IritOry, Indemnlties, contributions or
interference with the right of any ma
! tion to live and manage its own
affairs, thus being in harmony with
and supporting the new democracy of
Russia in her declaration of these
lfurdamental principles.
I'VE demand of no nation any con-
cession which should be hid from the
world. We concede to no nation any
right Of which we are ashamed.
Therefore we demand the abolition of
secret diplomacy. The secret agree
Iments OF Kings, presidents and other
rulers, made, broken, or kept, without
the knowledge of the people, consti-
ltute continual menace to peaceful
relations.
eve demand that the guarantees
of human conservation be recognized,
and the standard of living be main
Itained. TO this end we demand that
lgamblings In: the necessities of life be
made a felony, and that the federal
government control the food supply
of the nation, and establish prices for
producer and consumer.
AS direct result of the war, priv
late corporations in our coun-
TRY have reaped unparalleled profits.
j The net earnings Of the United States
Steel corporation for 1915 were $271,
.|531,73O, as. against $23,496,867, in
1914. an Increase Of 5$24S,034,962.
(863.) ~. ~, - ~. ~ II, -
4 q s.The Dupont Powder company
shows q similar record. Its net earn
ings for 1916 were $82,1O7,693, as
against $4, ,831,793 IN 1914, an in
Icrease oft$77,275,90O.
.'We are unalterably opposed to
permitting stockholders of private
corporations to pocket these enorm-
Gus profits, while at the same time a
species of coercion is encouraged to-
ward already poorly paid employees of
both sexes in urging them to purchase
war. Patriotism demands services
from all according to their capacity.
To conscript men and exempt the
bloodstained wealth coined from the
sufferings of humanity is repugnant
to the spirit of America and contrary
to the ideals of democracy.
Eve desire freedom of speech to
be the bulWark of human liberty, and
we decry all attempts to muzzle the
public press or individuals, upon any
pretext whatsoever. "A declaration OF
war docs not repeal the constitution
Of the United States, and the unwar-
ranted interference of military or
c Cther authorities with the rights of in
dividuals must, cease.
"The contributory causes of the
present war are various: but above
the horrible slaughter loom the ugly
MEETINGS Of an economic system based
upon exploitation. 1t is largely. q
conclusive effort on the part Of the
adroit rulers of warning nations for
control of constantly diminishing
market. Rival. groups of monopolists
are playing deadly game for COM
mercial supremacy.
'sAt the close of this war sound
international standards pust be es7
tablished, on the basis of a true de-
mocracy. Our economic organizations
must be completely purged Of priyil-
ege. Private m0nopoliesg must be
lsupplanted by public administration
of credit, finance and natural re-.
sources. The rule OF jObbers and
are: to produce a real democracy;
otherwise this war will have been
fought in vain. Il
only in this spirit do we justi-
fy war, and only thus can lasting
peace be established y y. Il
The question is whether these res
|olutions may be said to encroach up