The labor world., 1921-09-24


Trades Assembly of Duluth, and will b
call for great dem onstration on Arm
national conference meets in Washing
DDS to reduce armament.
Call Upon People.
Through the national headquarters
of the a. F. of l.. and through the
central labor bodies it is planned tc
enlist the cooperation of other or
ganizations in order that the Armistice
day demonstrations may be represent
tative Of the entire citizenship,
aroused to the vital nature of the is
sue.
The plan for Armistice day demon
strations revolves around the central
labor bodeis in the cities and COM
munities throughout the country.
Upon their effort hinges the success
of the entire movement.
The letter sent by President Com.
pers to the centrals follows, in part:
The executive council of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor has decided
that American organized labor must
take the lead in impressing upon the
international Conference for the Linz
itatiOn Of Armament the OVerWhelm-
ing world determination to stop con-
ducting international affairs on Il
military basis.
The International conference meets
in Washington on November IL, 1921,
upon invitation of the American gov
trnment.
November II is Armistice day
the day on which German autocracy
gave up in defeat.
Democracy Won.
Three years ago, on Armistice day,
democracy won an imperishable VIC
tory.
May it win another great victory
on this third anniversary.
In accordance with the action Of
the executive council every central
labor body in America is urgently
called upon to perform definite duty
in ord err that the disarmament con-
ference may not forget it's purpose
and in order that the largest possible
disarm ament may be achieved.
On the day of the opening OF the
disarmament conference there should
he a great national American Demon
stration, giving voice to the thought
and determination Of America, back
ing up our government in its leader
Shi:> toward disarmament and giving
courage and determination to the
American representatives in the in
ternational conference.
The American trade union move
ment, always making a clear distinc-
ton between disarmament and paci-
fism, has repeatedly declared for dis
armament because it has faith in de-
mocracy.
The time has come now to speak
with the full volume of our voice.
joining with all other elements in
American life and citizenship whose
faith is akin to ours and whose love
for peace is as deep.
Should Observe Day.
In every city and town in Americl
let there be great demonstration on
Arnlisticc day.
1T is expected tina tevery city CEN
trail body will join in the pational de-
monstratiOn, leaving no missing link
in the great chain across the country.
There should be a parade in every
locality-a great parade is the first
consideration. Suggestions that may
be of assistance in the organization
IF a, parade will be furnished by
American Federation of Labor head
quarters. These suggestions are in
tended merely to be helpful but in ad-
dition, if the central thought in all
parades can be similar, the national
effectiveness Of the effort will be in.
creased.
Every parade should end in q mas:
meeting. The best obtainahle speak.
ers should address these great meet
ings. In ample time an address tc
he International Disarmament, Frjda,
ference will be forwarded to you fol
adoption a. the mass meeting, Frida y
November II. 1921. Armistice day
Adoption of the address everywhere
will mean the expression of the de.
termination of millions of American:
n behalf of disarmament.
Call to Others.
1T is highly desirable that thi:
great Armistice day disarmament
demonstration be not alone the ex
preston of labor's views but that i
be the expression of the views of oul
citizenship, under labor's leadership
Labor takes the lead because it has {
highly developed sense of duty, i
deovutly American, thoroughly demo
cratic and has the great organization
HeCeSSdIy 10 ledOerSIlp Ill CfuCla
moment such as this.
The fact is that disarmament nov
is possible for practical reasons an:
not for sentimental reasons. Senti
mental reasons have existed always
but the world kept on arming. Tht
practical thing that stood in the WI.
OF yielding to sentiment was the nee
esslty of protecting the advance of de
mocracy against the constant thrt {
and menace of autocracy and mill
tarism.
while the two systems of human
organization and government stoo,
facing each other on relatively eve;
terms of strength the cause of disar
mament was hopeless Cne.
"The great militarist autocracie
have perished. A fundamental chang
has come over the peoples formerl:
ruled by emperors, kaisers, czars an.
(Continued on Page three.) .s