LABOUR'S CALL TO LABOUR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 278, 25 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

LABOUR'S CALL TO LABOUR.

The appeal of the American Federation of Labour, voiced by Samuel Gompors and addressed to the workers of Russia through tho medium of the Russian Council oj. Workmen and Soldiers' Deputies, will not, it is to be hoped, fall on deaf ears. Since tho sudden turn of affairs in Russia and the shifting of tiie power of government from autocracy to the people, the condition of affairs in that empire has not been such as to make for entire ease among the Entente nations. As an American writer has said, Russia's people' have no dreams of empire. It is enuogh for them that they lie bit undisturbed to work out their future within tile limits already under the Russian flag. The lure of the Dardanelles and of a Russian Constantinople lias bound the autocracy in its co-operation with Great Britain, France and Italy in the war enterprise, but it is doubtful if this goal of aggressive expansion appeals to the democracy of Russia. Nevertheless tho Slav soldiers have Russia's future in their keeping, and they will surely recognise the truth of [Mr Gom-I'-cr's statement that Kaiserism is the common enemy of democracy. The revolution so wonderfully consummated in Russia should bo pregnant with ill—omen for the cause of the Central Powers. The German and Austrian masses are far from happy and satisfied, or even comfortable-. It has kxm demonstrated that governments may bo set aside with ease. What if these peoples also decide to change the Government directij'i of affairs? 'Hie nat:ons of Europe, directed '.y democracy, would nc* qi.aiiol long among themselves, r.or would they allow dreams of empre to involve them in war. Autoci'i'y is cone,rued with the extension of minora'' ptv.cr, using the people as its weapon. Democracy is concerned with the cr.mfort and welfare of the ind-vi'!ual utilising tuo

State as an insrrannnt; to these ends. Europe in the liaj.as of democracy means an end of war as soon as the

slow processes of popular government can accomplish it. The contagion of democracy is spreading from Russia to Austria-Hungary, and there are those who hold that if th" young Kinperor is to avoid a revolution he must get tuo empire out of the war. The same alternative will ultimately present itself to tin Herman Kinperor. A "pl.ve in the sun" means nothing to t>riiian.V's people; ■.-,;,;• has brought them only hardships, hunger, misery and bereavement. As .Mr Unmoors v.ell savs the only way for the Central Powers to attain peace—and to pre-orvc it onco it has heen attained is bv abolishing the Hoiienzollerns and Hapslnir.'s and driving the tyrannous bureaucracy and niifttary caste from power.