Labor Conditions Before the present government was firmly established in Mexico, labor conditions were very unsettled, and, in fact, caused by labor unrest bordering desperation. The new government, therefore, as soon as the military situation was under control, undertook a radical reform in the labor system of the country, adopting as a base for its program, the most advanced principles governing labor in its relation with capital. Labor conditions were very peculiar. There was a labor shortage all over the country. Wages, however, were small and the conditions of the working people were decidedly bad. The relations between capital and labor in the industrial centers were strained to the breaking point. The industrial organization followed the system of the old European capitalism, made worse still, because it was imposed on a laboring class much weaker than in Europe, since it was unorganized and not very advanced in civilization. The new government decided boldly to solve the troubles by a radical reorganization, in the belief that at the present time when industries were just beginning development, it would be much easier to undertake a complete change, than later, when larger interests would have been created, which would become a serious obstacle in the way to reformation and improvement. As a positive proof of the interest taken by the laboring classes in Mexico, may be cited the assembling of labor conventions throughout the Republic, in which the states of Senora, Yucatan, Coahuila, Vera-cruz, and Pueblɔ have taken the lead to initiate legislation and to promote national organization and friendly relations of Pan-American character, especially with national organizations of labor in the United States, where thousands of Mexican laborers are at work in the farms, with the railroads and other industrial enterprises. The contiguity of Mexico and the United States, the vast amount of American capital invested in Mexico and the facilities of inter-communication have brought about an interchange of laboring elements, whose conditions have necessarily incited a deep interest among the labor organizations of both countries, as shown by the special commissions sent out to study and report upon the organization, purposes, ideals and achievements of the working people concerned. To the wage earners who constitute the vast majorities in both nations this intermingling process is of great mutual importance, as the intercourse will lead to an intimate knowledge of their conditions and to concerted action as to the most practical solution of the problems affecting their collective rights and duties. The action of organized labor, properly directed, more than any other agency, should represent the genuine expression of the will of the majorities. To organized concerted labor action, therefore, must we turn for assistance to the strengthening of relations which make for international comity, peace and fraternity. Neighbors we shall always be, consequently, our bounden duty as such is to promote good feeling, just, kindly and neighborly relations. Naval Holiday urged governments and labor movements of world 5-6 International Federation of Trade Unions (E. C. Report). 17-20 English and French Conference London, February International Federation of Trade Unions Congress San Francisco Pan-American Labor Relations (E. C. Report)... 21-24 Mexican situation (Report of Porto Rican Federation of Labor) Mexico..... Conferences, representatives American and Mexican workers 26-27 27-29 29-37 Mexican-United States Compact (Labor) Diploma presented to A. F. of L. Supplemental report of E. C. (International Labor Relations)...... 37-41 Legien's letter October 4th Berne (Switzerland) conference Leeds (England) conference Proposed removal International headquarters to Switzerland Convention declaration for justice and freedom for peoples of all Committee on International Relations, report of... 42 42, 43, 44, 45, 49 Labor's protest against Carranza's decree prohibiting strikes Report on Labor Unions Central and South American countries 46, 47, 48, 49 Declaration of Principles of the Inter-Allied Labor Conference The Inter-allied Labor Conference held in London, September 17, 18 and 19, 1918, adopted the following declaration of principles proposed by the American Federation of Labor delegates : We recognize in this World War the conflict between autocratic and democratic institutions; the contest between the principles of self-development through free institutions and that of arbitrary control of government by groups or individuals for selfish ends. It is therefore essential that the peoples and the governments of all countries should have a full and definite knowledge of the spirit and determination of this Inter-allied Conference, representative of the workers of our respective countries, with reference to the prosecution of the War. We declare it to be our unqualified determination to do all that lies within our power to assist our allied countries in the marshalling of all of their resources to the end that the armed forces of the Central Powers may be driven from the soil of the nations which they have invaded and now occupy; and, furthermore, that these armed forces shall be opposed so long as they carry out the orders or respond to the control of the militaristic autocratic government of the Central Powers which now threaten the existence of all self-governing people. This Conference endorses the fourteen points laid down by President Wilson as conditions upon which peace between the belligerent nations may be established and maintained, as follows: (1) Open covenants of peace openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind, but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view. (2) Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas outside territorial waters alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants. (3) The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establsihment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to peace and associating itself for its maintenance. (4) Adequate guarantees, given and taken, that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety. (5) A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all Colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. (6) The evacuation of all Russian territory, and such a settlement of all questions affecting Russia as will secure the best and freest co-opera tion of the other nations of the world in obtaining for her an unhampered and unembarrassed opportunity for the independent determination of her own political development and national policy, and assure her of a sincere welcome into the society of free nations under institutions of her own choosing; and more than a welcome assistance also of every kind that she may need and may herself desire. The treatment accorded Russia by her sister nations in the months to come will be the acid test of their good-will, of their comprehension of her needs, as distinguished from their own interests, and of their intelligent and unselfish sympathy. (7) Belgium, the whole world will agree, must be evacuated and restored without any attempt to limit the sovereignty which she enjoys in common with all other free nations. No other single act will serve, as this will serve, to restore confidence among the nations in the laws which they have themselves set and determined for the government of their relations with one another. Without this healing act the whole structure and validity of international law is forever impaired. (8) All French territory should be freed and the invaded portions restored, and the wrong done to France by Prussia in 1871 in the matter of Alsace-Lorraine, which has unsettled the peace of the world for nearly 50 years, should be righted in order that peace may once more be made secure in the interest of all. (9) A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy should be effected along clearly recognizable lines of nationality, (10) The peoples of Austria-Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the first opportunity of autonomous development. (11) Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated, the occupied territories restored, Serbia accorded free and secure access to the sea, and the relations of the several Balkan States to one another determined by friendly counsel along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality, and international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of the several Balkan States should be entered into. (12) The Turkish portions of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty, but the other nationalities which are now under Turkish rule should be assured an undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development, and the Dardanelles should be permanently opened as a free passage to the ships and commerce of all nations under international guarantees. (13) An independent Polish State should be erected, which should include the territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations, which should be assured a free and secure access to the sea, and whose political and economic independence and territorial integrity should be guaranteed by international covenant. (14) A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small States alike. The world is requiring tremendous sacrifices of all the peoples. Because of their response in defense of principles of freedom the peoples have earned the right to wipe out all vestiges of the old idea that the government belongs to or constitutes a "governing class.". In determining issues that will vitally affect the lives and welfare of millions of wage-earners, justice requires that they should have direct representation in the agencies authorized to make such decisions. We therefore declare that In the official delegations from each of the belligerent countries which will formulate the Peace Treaty, the Workers should have direct official representation: We declare in favour of a World Labor Congress to be held at the same time and place as the Peace Conference that will formulate the Peace Treaty closing the War. We declare that the following essentially fundamental principles must underlie the Peace Treaty: A league of the free peoples of the world in a common covenant for genuine and practical co-operation to secure justice and therefore peace in relations between nations. No political or economic restrictions meant to benefit some nations and to cripple or embarrass others. No reprisals based upon purely vindictive purposes, or deliberate desire to injure, but to right manifest wrongs. Recognition of the rights of small nations and of the principle, "No people must be forced under sovereignty under which it does not wish to live." No territorial changes or adjustment of power except in furtherance of the welfare of the peoples affected and in furtherance of world peace.. In addition to these basic principles there should be incorporated in the Treaty which shall constitute the guide of nations in the new period and conditions into which we enter at the close of the War, the following declarations fundamental to the best interests of all nations and of vital importance to wage-earners: That in law and in practice the principle shall be recognized that the labour of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce. Involuntary servitude shall not exist except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. The right of free association, free assemblage, free speech and free press shall not be abridged. That the seamen of the merchant marine shall be guaranteed the right of leaving their vessels when the same are in safe harbour. No article or commodity shall be shipped or delivered in international commerce in the production of which children under the age of sixteen years have been employed or permitted to work. It shall be declared that the basic workday in industry and commerce shall not exceed eight hours per day. Trial by jury should be established. SAMUEL GOMPERS CHARLES L. BAINE Delegates |