Such an opportunity has been born out of the strained relations that have recently existed between the United States and Mexico and the great anxiety aroused thereby in hearts and minds of the workers of both countries. There has come at least one result that is potential for the maintenance of human rights and the establishment of principles of human welfare in international relations. Just as the situation between the United States and Mexico was most critical, there came to our country two representatives of the government of Yucatan, Mr. Carlos Loveira, Chief of the Department of Labor, and Mr. Baltazar Pages, Editor of the Voice of the Revolution, bringing an appeal to the workingmen of our country to use their influence in the interest of peace and justice between our countries. At the same time, in response to an invitation from the A. F. of L., the organized labor movement of Mexico sent as representatives to Washington for the purpose of holding a conference, Mr. Luis N. Morones, Mr. S. Gonzalo Garcia, and Mr. Edmundo E. Martinez. During the recent past, through personal representatives of the Mexican government and information gained from others in close contact with conditions in Mexico, it became plain to us that the revoluiton in Mexico represented a genuine effort on the part of the Mexicans to establish institutions of freedom and justice. The A. F. of L. made an appeal to the President of the United States to recognize the Constitutionalist government of Mexico. It has since on several occasions when important decisions of national policies affecting the United States and Mexica were in balance been the instrumentality through which the desires of the masses of the people have been expressed, and further time and opportunity afforded to Mexico for understanding our national attitude and demonstrating good will and good faith on her part. Because of this historic relation it was felt that a conference between representatives of the labor movement of Mexico and representatives of the A. F. of L. would be a direct means by which the masses of the people of both countries could wield an influence that would counteract the influence of financial powers and those who were willing to precipitate international conflicts for their own aggrandizement. At this conference held in Washington_between the representatives of the Mexican labor movement and the E. C. of the A. F. of L. a declaration was signed by all parties to the conference. This declaration in addition to provisions which concerned immediate relations between our two countries, provided for future conferences between representatives of both countries and declared in favor of efforts to establish a Pan-American Federation of Labor. This was not a new thought for the A. F. of L. Upon several occasions the same idea had been advanced, and in the Proceedings of the 1915 Convention of the A. F. of L. endorsement was given to a proposal for an organization that would represent human rights and interest in all Pan-American countries. The necessity for such a labor federation has been made increasingly greater through efforts to establish closer commercial and political relations between the countries included in the Pan-American Union. In the High Commission, which recently made a trip to PanAmerican countries for the purpose of promoting better commercial and industrial relations, although there was no phase in any of the relations between these different countries that did not in some way affect human interests and human welfare, there was no one on that commission who distinctively represented human interests and the rights and welfare of the masses of the people. I have urged upon the United States government that this serious omission ought to be rectified, and I urge the labor movements of all Pan-American countries to bring the same matter to the attention of their respective governments. But such representation, valuable as it would be, is not sufficient to protect and promote the rights and welfare of the workers of all countries. A Pan-American Federation of Labor is not only possible but is necessary. It will constitute a ready and fit agency for injecting into international deliberations at opportune and critical times consideration for human rights, interests, and welfare. In view of the importance of this purpose, it is most gratifying to find that the representatives from the state of Yucatan are to travel through the countries of Central and South America for the purpose of promoting a Pan-American Federation of Labor. The purpose of their mission has our most sympathetic and hearty co-operation. The realization of an international alliance between the labor movements of all Pan-American countries will constitute a genuine parliament of men, one of the highest purposes to which mankind has aspired. It is earestly hoped that the representatives of all organized workers in Pan-America will come into and continue correspondence with the undersigned. With sincere greetings, I am, Fraternally yours, SAMUEL GOM PERS. President, American Federation of Labor. We It will be observed that as a result of our conferences with the representatives of the organized labor movement of Mexico, it was agreed that conferences should be held not only with the representatives of the organized labor movement of Mexico, but of the several other South American countries. therefore recommend that the E. C. be authorized to arrange for and be represented in such conferences as may be proposed and held. We submit that it is fair to assume that the E. C. of the A. F. of L. is not likely to enter into any arrangements or agreements unless they are conducive to the welfare of American workers as well as to the toilers of all other countries. In connection with the proposal to establish a Pan-American Federation of Labor, it is important to bear in mind the fundamental principle that the labor movements of all countries must be supreme over the organization and the labor problems of their respective countries. In other words, a national labor organization must be autonomous within the jurisdiction of that country. In our communication to the workers of the South American countries, it is plainly stated that the A. F. of L. will yield to no other organization authority over the affairs of the economic movement in this country. We stand for the right of the workers of every country to work out their own problems in accord with their ideals and highest conceptions. The right that we claim for the workers of the United States we are willing to concede to the workers of every other country; but over and above national issues, there are matters of of international character and which are of general concern to the workers of all of the countries of the two American continents. MEXICO In our report to the San Francisco Convention we gave an account of the friendly relations that had been established between the labor movement of Mexico and that of the United States and showed how that relationship had been helpful in preventing intervention by the United States in the affairs of Mexico. We reported that on September 22 we had asked President Wilson to recognize the Constitutionalist government. On October 19, 1915, official action was taken by which the Constitutionalist government was recognized. During the following months President Gompers kept in touch with the representatives of the labor movement of Mexico through correspondence and through conferences. In the spring, when conditions had arisen that seemed to make war between Mexico and the United States inevitable, the understanding between the labor movements of the United States and Mexico took on more definite form and was again instrumental in throwing light upon the influences and the agents that were trying to create war sentiment and the seeming necessity for intervention in the affairs of Mexico, and was able to help bring about an adjustment of misunderstandings without resorting to war. When war seemed most imminent, on May 23, 1916, President Gompers sent an invitation to the labor organizations of Mexico asking them to send representatives to participate in a joint conference with representatives of the labor movement of the United States so that they might consider the conditions that seemed likely to bring about war and carry back to the masses of the people of both countries whom they represented information that would convey to them the real sentiment of the people of both nations and enable them to know the elements and conditions attempting to drive both counries into war. It was first planned to hold this conference in an American city on the border between the two countries, but the labor movement of Mexico acted instantly and sent representatives to the border line without first informing our headquarters of their action and our agreement upon the definite time for the conference. It was, for lack of time, impossible to assemble a representative group to confer with the representatives of the Mexican workers at Eagle Pass. It was arranged that Mexican workers should send representatives to Washington to hold a joint conference with the E. C. of the A. F. of L. which was to hold its regular meeting in Washington, June 26. The representatives of the Mexican workers who met with the E. C. were L. N. Morones, S. Gonzalo Garcia, representing the Casa del Obrero Mundial; Edmundo E. Martinez, representing the Federation de Sindicatos Obreros de la Republica Mexicana; C. Loveira and Baltazar Pages, representing the organized labor movement of Yucatan. During this conference, which was in part quite informal, the representatives of the Mexican labor movement discussed very freely industrial and political conditions in Mexico and the growth and progress of their various organizations. Considering the fact that the organized labor movement of Mexico dates only from the time of Madero, progress in development there has been most extraordinary. The local unions are affiliated to the two national organizations which were represented in the conference. While this conference was being held, relations between the United States and Mexico became acute. Our government had issued an ultimatum demanding the immediate release of American soldiers. As no response had been received from General Carranza, First Chief of the Mexican government, responsible governmental officials had become extremely anxious. It was at this time that a request was made to President Gompers that he make a personal appeal to General Carranza to release the United States soldiers. Mr. Gompers sent General Carranza the following telegram: General VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 28, 1916. First Chief, Constitutionalist Government, Mexico City, Mexico. In the name of common justice and humanity, in the interest of a better understanding between the peoples and the governments of the United States and Mexico, for the purpose of giving the opportunity to maintain peace and avoid the horrors of war, upon the grounds of highest patriotism and love, I appeal to you to release the American soldiers held by your officers in Chihuahua. SAMUEL GOMPERS, That same evening "extra" papers announced General Carranza had issued an order releasing the American soldiers. On the next day the following telegram from General Carranza was received: SAMUEL GOMPERS :, MEXICO, June 29, 1916. President, American Federation of Labor, Washington. In replying to your message dated yesterday, I would state that the government in my charge has ordered the liberty of the American soldiers whom the Mexican forces took as prisoners at Carrizal. Salute very affectionately, V. CARRANZA. On authority of the E. C., President Gompers sent the following telegram: General VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Mexico City, Mexico. Your telegram of June 29 received and laid before the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor in session at Washington, and we express to you our appreciation of your order releasing the American soldiers and thus helping to clear the way for a mutually honorable settlement of any differences existing between the governments of the United States and of Mexico. SAMUEL GOMPERS, President, American Federation of Labor. Although the danger of immediate war had passed, there yet remained many conditions that were likely to keep relations between the two countries in an unsettled state and might at any time again bring about danger of war or precipitate war. Those who participated in the conference of the workers of the United States and Mexico fully appreciated that unless definite, constructive suggestions were måde and adopted, the existing friendly and advantageous relations would not be assured permanence. This conference of workingmen was helpful in bringing about a better understanding in the United States of the real meaning and purpose of the Mexican revolution and an appreciation of what the people of Mexico were trying to accomplish in overthrowing old institutions. This understanding made more general the feeling that the people of Mexico knew what they wanted, understood their peculiar problems and had a right to work out their own salvation in accord with their ideals. The conference in itself was an illustration of how easily war may be averted when an element of reasonableness is introduced into a critical situation and the people of both countries insist upon knowing what are the true causes behind the demand for war. As a result of this conference held in Washington the following declaration was signed by those participating in the conference: Mexican-United States Compact WASHINGTON, D. C., July 3, 1916. The undersigned, the Executive Council of the American Federa-` tion of Labor, and the representatives of the organized labor movement of Mexico express our deep gratification in the consummation of this conference which we hope and believe has laid the basis for better understanding and has welded ties that shall bind together the workers of our respective countries. We are confident that personal conferences of the workers of the United States and of Mexico will be a constructive force in bringing about understanding necessary for better relations between our countries and for maintaining peace founded upon a proper regard for the rights of all. It is our opinion that this conference should be followed by another in which the workers of both countries shall be more generally represented for the purpose of agreeing upon plans for maintaining permanent relations and for the federation of the labor movements of all of the countries of the two Americas. In view of present relations between the United States and Mexico we are of the opinion that such a general conference is for the present untimely and we express the judgment that the holding of such a conference should be deferred until later in the year. However, in the event of an emergency which would make a general conference of advantage in averting an international crisis, such a conference could and should be called for the earliest time mutually agreeable. To carry this plan into effect a joint commission shall be chosen to consist of two members from both labor movements, to remain in Washington until the present crisis is passed, the said joint commission to have the power of calling a general conference if necessary. We hold this to be fundamental-no relations between our countries can be permanent that are not based upon the will of the masses of the people and in accord with their concepts of justice. We deem it an essential step toward democracy and justice that there shall be established for the masses who have hitherto been without regular agencies for expressing their views and desires, opportunities that will enable them to have a voice in helping to determine international affairs. The labor movements of the various countries constitute the instrumentalities that can best accomplish this purpose and give expression to national ideas and convictions that have been too long inarticulate and impotent. We direct that the President of the A. F. of L. and the official representatives of organized labor of Mexico should keep in touch through correspondence and that they be authorized to carry out the purposes specified in this declaration. In joint conference, as the representatives of the workers, the masses of our respective countries, we urge upon our governments to adjust existing differences without war and to establish conditions conducive to permanent peace with justice. We appeal to the workers and all of the people of the United States and of Mexico to do everything within their power to promote correct understanding of purposes and actions, to prevent friction, to encourage good will, and to promote an intelligent national opinion that ultimately shall direct relations between our countries and shall be a potent humanitarian force in promoting world progress. It is an unavoidable conclusion that present differences between our countries are the result of misunderstanding growing out of inadequate or incorrect information; that the unfortunate consequences of past relations between the United States and Mexico have formulated a national attitude that questions the good faith of our governments; that existing agencies and methods of reaching an adjustment of these differences are unsuitable for dealing with those problems which are fundamentally human problems; and that the relations between our countries ought not to be directed in accord with abstract standards of justice but ought to be keenly sensitive and responsive to the human |