The Washington times., 1921-05-03
WAR
ON MUNITIONS
World Congress In Berne to
Disavow krmaments Policy,
Says Hapgood.
BY NORMAN HAPGOOD.

ny ANOtSmAAN hhA NoODs
I did not get more than half
through my story yesterday. When
the president of the international
Association of Machinists sails for
Europe. on the Adriatic Wednesday,
looking into the locomotive situation
in Russia Is not his only object, al
though it is his most pressing OBJ
ject.
SWISS LABOR MEET.
His other purpose takes him to
Berne. In that Swiss town 10 to be
held a meeting OF the machinists
from all the leading nations.
They are going to see IL they can
not now accomplish what the PACING
labor groups were unable to accom-
plish in time to prevent the great war
OF 1914.
They will try to make an agree
ment that will stand the test, to the
effect that they Will, in case OF anoth-
err war, absolutely refuse to make
munitions or in any way participate.
GOMPERs' POLICIES RULE.
AS long as Mr.. Gompers lives and
holds his position, the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor can be counted on to
fight against anything new. He is in
continual terror OF losing his position
to more advanced elements. Until he
does lose his position, there can be
built up in this country no effective
labor party, since the federation must
be the center of any such party.
Mr.. Gompers sent word that he was
unable to be present at the farewell
dinner to-Mr. Johnston on Saturday
night. to wish him well on his voyIge
to Russia. The federation was repre-
scented by Frank Morrison.
The little speech that Mr.. Morrison
made was tactful and eminently typ
ical OF those who run the federation.
He made only one precise suggestion,
and 1t was in pursuance OF the Comp
ers policy OF trying to solve the vast
problem offered by Russia by mersly
hunting ammunition against the So
Wet government.
~ hope" he said in substance, that
Mr.. Johnston will make a point Of
seeing a number Of peasants and ask
ing them how what they have to eat
and wear now compares with what
they had to eat and wear before the
revolution"
SUGGESTS OTHER QUESTIONS.
Nothing more? why not also ask
the peasant whom he holds RESPONSE
BILE for his hardship? Ask him what
he thinks of the blockade Of the po-
sition taken by the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. Of what would prob
ably happen to him IL Lenin should be
q ~ AL h Inn a
thing about his education and his
hope in life.
Senator Reed said on Friday last:
what have you to say Of that gov
eminent which. in the gentle sunlight
OF modern civilization, stu chained
white men to the soil and drove men,
women and children without trial and
in herds into exile into Siberia: which
enforced DEGREES with the knout laid
on the naked backs until the flesh
dropped from the bones"
I wish I had space to quote tn.
whole picture given by the Senator OF
the regime that cost Lenin q brother
and a sister. Mr.. Reed goes on:
1--WE sent congratulatory kilograms
on the birthdays of her Cars. We
traded with them. We trafficked with
them. We made treaties with them"
But now. because we do not like
their attempt at communism. we must
scold and lecture the Russians while
most European nations endeavor to
start in Russia q new uplifting OF in
dustry. And Mr.. Johnston freely
states that on his present trip his
most urgent thought IL of the four
or Ave million unemployed in our own
country.
REEDS APT QUESTIONS.
Newspapers in Germany last week
quoted Lomov. head OF the Supreme
Economic Council in Berlin. as saying
that on account Of the hostile attitude
OF the American State Department.
special effort would be made to build
up German trade under the treaty
about to be signed.
All humane and liberal-minded peo-
pie will hope that the economic helo
given to each other by Russia ana
Germany may rapidly increase, but
more things are needed by both than
either can for a long time supply.
Lot me close with another quotation
from Senator Reed:
"Why should we not sell to those
people plows with which to turn over
their soil? Why should we not sell
them threshing machines ana reapers
and binders with which to harvest
and prepare their crops? Why should
we not send them cotton goods? why
should we not send them machinery
for their mills?
you will not trade with them be-
cause you DO not Ike their morals
or their form OF government Let
me answer that: Bad as IL their
government today, and I abomlnat =
many OF Its principles. It Is the best
government Rusaia has ever had, and