The labor world., 1922-12-02


has announced Its decision not to
participate in the International Anti
War conference to be held at The
Hague on Dec. 10.
The council had the question -un-
der consideration in response to in
vitations to participate and in con-
nection with representations made
to the A. r. of l.. in behalf of Euro
pean labor and the International
Federation Of Trade Unions.
The American Federation OF La Dor
specifies the reasons for its refusal
to participate. 1t is set forth that
the forthcoming international confer
ence IL bound in advance to a re-
strcteu course Of action and that
these advance restrictions involve the
acceptance OF policies which the
American Federation Of Labor op-
poses.
1t is set forth that The Hague
conference is bound in advance to
the support Of an international strike
in the event of any war regardless
OF whether such war might be
purely defensive.
1t is set forth also that the con-
ference is buond in advance to a
declaration in favor of nationaliza-
tion Of wealth in the form Of raw
materials and even manufactured
products. 1t is set forth that the
resolution on war adopted by the
International Federation Of Trade
Unions at its recent Rome congress
must be agreed to in advance by all
who participate at The Hague. 1t
is this resolution which declares for
the International general strike and
for the naturalization Of wealth.
Furthermore, tho American Fed
Grafton Of Labor objects to the
agenda which makes the introduce
ton Of any now and original pro-
posal impossible.
In declining, the American Fedora
ton Of Labor rciterates its devotion
to the cause Of peace and announces
it's intention Of continuing as oppor-
tunity offers to do all that lies with
in It's power to promote in a con-
structive manner he cause Of inter-
national peace. The invitation was
declined thro gh letter addressed
to the president and secretaries of
the International Federation of Trade
Unions at Amsterdam. This letter
follows in full:
'On Oct. II. in reply to your ca
blegram and to a cablegram from c.
w. Rowerman, you were advised that
no definite decision had been reached
as to whether the American Feder-
ation Of Labor could be represented
in the interna tional anti-war con-
ference to he held at The Hague on
Dec. 10, 1922.
After some consideration of the
matter. 1t seemed possible that the
American Federation Of Labor might
participate in that conference. What
even inclination there may have been
to participate in the congress to be
held at The Hague was dispelled,
however, upon receipt Of an official
letter Of invitation, dated at AM
stcrdam, Oct. 8, and signed by J.
Ou1cgeest.
"Attached to this official letter of
invitation was the resolution of the
Rome congress, which is to be the
official basis OF discussion at the
congress to be held at The Hague.
The terms and specifications laid
down in the official letter of invita-
ton and the provisions contained in
the resolution Of the Rome congress
make it impossible for the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor to partici-
pate at The Hague.
participation in the congress, to
be held at The Hague, requires the
Am erican Federation Of Labor to de-
clare its adhesion to the platform
Of the International Federation of
Trade Unions as that platform now
stands.
"The resolution adopted by the
Rome congress, and which is to be
the basis of discussion at The Hague,
proposes a general International
strike of the workers Of all countries
In the event Of any war, even a de-
fensive war against aggression
Should the American Federation Of
Labor participate at The Hague, it
would bind itself in advance to this
declaration. This it cannot do.
The resolution Of the Rome con-
gress provides for the remuneration
Of national entities, and if the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor were TO
participate in the congress at The
Hague. it would be compelled to
join in this renunciation even to re-
nunciation Of the national entity of
the republic of the United States
The platform Of the International
Federation of Trade Unions pro-
vides for the naturalization. or in
standardization, Of wealth. Of raw
materials, and even of manufactured
products. The American Federation
Of Labor cannot agree 10 any pro-
posal OF that character.
The agenda for The Hague con-
gress makes the resolution adopted
at Rome. on the subject Of disarma-
ment and war, the only basis Of dis
cussion. The American Federation
Of Labor would not be willing to
participate in such congress as
that to be held at The Hague under
any such restrictions.
The agenda for The Hague con-
gress bars from consideration or
from introduction, any original pro-
posal for any national trade union
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