Montana labor news., 1939-12-21
AND THE WAR
By JOHN L. LEWIS

We assemble at a time when our
nation and peoples of all civilized
countries are profoundly concerned
with the war in Europe. In many
respects this war possesses poten-
tialities that are the most menacing
with which modern culture and
civilization have ever been con-
fronted. Without question, organ
lied labor and all other Americans
are fundamentally and overwhelm-
opposed to any participation
in this war on the part of our gov
eminent or its military establish
ment.
The members of the Congress of
Industrial Organizations are Ameri-
cans in principle, in thought and in
action. We will at all times give
support to our instrumentalities of
government and the political lead
ership of u country in any crisis
or situation which imperils the in
tegrity or existence of the free in
situations under our flag.
We do, however, have the firm
and unalterable conviction that
our nation is not called upon to
participate in any manner on one
side or the other of a European
conflict.
Conceivably, with the maximum
employment of modern instrument
talities of warfare by the contend
ing countries in Europe, the civil
populations of certain of those coun-
tries may be unable to withstand the
impact and the ravages of such war
fare. Internal confusion and disorder
may follow upon such a scale that
existing governments may be dis
established and new forms of au-
thority or oppression may appear.
Safety and security for Americans
lie in non-participation in this con-
flict and the addressing of ourselves
to the major problems now confront
ing us in our own internal economy
and domestic establishment. Let nc
one assume, however, that America
will not at all times defend its
boundaries, its possessions, its gov
eminent, its citizens and its flag.
The issue of the form of neu-
trality to be followed by the
United States government during
the period of the European war,
which is now being debated in the
Congress of the United States, will
not be the deciding nor controlling
factor in the issues as between
peace and a
The wording of the Neutrality Act,
the classification of commodities and
lethal weapons and the question Of
credit or non-credit to purchasers
are questions, which compared to
the issue of peace or war, are Of
secondary Importance. War will moi
come because the Congress may
juggle words in the Neutrality Act
War for America will only come as
a result of developing circumstance
which convince the American people
that there is no other alternative.
If this be true and logic compels
the acceptance of the belief, it is
then futile and absurd for the Con
gress of the United States and the
population of the entire country tc
become confused and convulsed in
a discussion of the varying defini-
tons of actual or assumed neutral
ity which emanate from the minds
and pens of statesmen of high and
low degree. Recognition of these
facts by the Congress and by the
people will abate much of the con-
fusion and controversy that now
exist throughout the country.
After all, the President of the
United States is the COMMANDMENT
Chief of the Army and Navy, and
the republic through its Congress
has placed upon him as Chief Execu-
tive of the nation greater response
bilities than accrue to any other
ruler, king or potentate in Christen-
dom. No other citizen can assume
any of the responsibilities of the
President, No other citizen has
knowledge which equals the Presi-
dents knowledge on the facts which
concern the issues of peace, war OF
neutrality.
The Presidents program upon
neutrality should be supported by
the Congress and by the people,
and cavilling should cease.
Labor has a major stake in this
problem. In war labor must per-
form most of the work and do most
of the dying. Upon labor always is
inflicted most of the agony and
tragedy of war. Labor demands and
must be accorded its rightful con-
sideration in any emergency which
affects national interest.
Labor is not blind to the facts OF
Europe's problems. 1t has its own
sources of information and does not
blindly accept the tortured news
stories which flow from the facile
pens of governmental censors OF
belligerent nations.
Every citizen will hope that the
present European discussion of a