The New York herald., 1921-06-15
FAILURE is CENSURED
Thomas. British Leader,
Urges Ballots, Not Guns,
to Win Industrial Peace.
REVIEWS COAL STRIKE
Warns America Not to Try to
Bring About Settlement of
Irish Problem.

DENVER. June 14.--Blame for the re.
cent world war was placed squarely
on the shoulders of organized labor In
Germany by Samuel Gompers in an
address to the American Federation
of Labor convention here to-day
II hold, and I accept full RESPONSE
bility for what | am about to say"
said Gompers. that the organized la
Dor movement of Germany failed dis
maly at the critical hour.
If it had taken the situation in
hand lit might have meant the de-
struction of a few thousand. but il
would have stopped the war. The fail
ure Of the men to act at a time of
crisis IS faithlessness to a common
cause"
In his address, which was a re-
sponse to those of fraternal delegates
from Great Britain and Canada. Com
pers dwelt upon the attitude Of the
federation and himself both during the
war and since, during the period of
reconstruction.
In putting upon organized labor of
Germany blame for the war Ciompcrs
said:
Il have nothing in my heart that can
be intimated or suggested Of feelings
Of antipathy toward the German people,
toward the German labor movement,
toward their attempt to conduct great
republican form of government. It
cannot be driven out of the minds Of
peoples who have lost young men OF
their flesh and blood, fallen In defence
of this great common cause, to MAN
tain some degree Of self-determna-
ton in a democratic form Of govern
nent.
Germany PeDaIized.
You know that the American labor
movement has made its great contribu-
tion TO the great cause. and you know
also that have tried to do my full duty
In the critical circumstances in which
we are all placed and that at the peace
table wisdom did not prevail. / think
that most men who have given the sub
Ject thought quite agree with that judg-
ment. But 1t Is always hindsight that
is so superior to foresight, and In the
frame Of mind In which the people were
II Is not difficult to understand that
they wanted to penalize Germany In
some way.
I'VE know that the representatives. Of
democracy make mistakes and that is
the penalty we pay for having democ-
racies, but we have the right to make
mistake rather than to yield TO the
dictation OF some emperor kaiser or
king. II we want democracy we must
suffer the penalties for the mistakes
democracies are subject to.
I'VE have been with you and with all
the allied democratic nations in the
war" said Gompers addressing the FRA
ternal delegates, "and for the extent
Of time that we were in II we made our
full contribution. We have not done
anything of which we find 1t necessary
to boost. and we have no cause to hang
our heads in shame.
The pity of ii all was that when the
crucial time came there We're some OF
those who had made flamboyant declara-
tions who failed at the crucial hour"
Warning against any agitation that
might disrupt the American labor move
ment. James RI. Thomas. British labor
leader told the convention it could not
solve the Irish problem.
For 100 years we in England have
been confronted with the problem Of Ire
land and II we at home cannot solve
that problem, let me ask how do you,
5000 miles away. expect to solve it7" he
said. Mr. Thomas. who Is president OF
the International Federation of Trade
Unions, addressed the convention as a
fraternal delegate from the British trades
union congress.
British labor" Mr.. Thomas continued,
has always stood and stands now for
liberty. We stand for home rule in Ire
land.
Let me warn you against any agits-
ton that might disrupt your movement
here an America by creating differences
among yourselves. Do not mistake me.
British labor stands for Irish freedom