CHAPTER VI

First American Conference for Democracy and Terms of Peace,

May 1 to 30, 1917

PART I

CO-OPERATION OF EMERGENCY PEACE FEDERATION

Certain definite phases of the withdrawal of the American Union against Militarism officers from the Conference appeared in Lochner's letter of explanation early in May, 1917, to Miss Lillian Wald. Lochner wrote, pointing out as delicately as possible, that the American Union against Militarism was expected to be merely a co-ordinating unit of the Conference on equal terms with the Emergency Peace Federation. In doing this, however, he threw the responsibility of the decision upon the shoulders of Dr. Magnes.1

Nevertheless Rabbi Magnes, on May 11, 1917, telegraphed Lochner from Kansas City, as follows:

"Strongly urge making every possible concession to American Union even to extent of modifying platform and nature of conference. Task before us so long and arduous, would be unfortunate if at beginning complete understanding lacking. Call meeting of committee. Thresh matters out. Come to an agreement."

There is no record of the exact outcome of the matter, but though the names and the officers of the American Union Against Militarism never appeared formally on the Conference lists, the Union as an organization did nevertheless act informally as one of the co-ordinating forces in a somewhat less degree than the Emergency Peace Federation. There is indeed memoranda on co-operation between the anti-militaristic organizations, dated May 18, 1917, to the following effect:

"(1) Organizations actively in the field working nationally are:

"American Union against Militarism.
Emergency Peace Federation.

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Lochner to Miss Wald, May 9, 1917.

"Woman's Peace Party.

"Socialist Party.

Occasionally other national peace organizations (Church Peace Union and the American Peace Society).

"(2) Co-operation in New York:

"(1) Weekly conference of the National executives of the American Union against Militarism, Emergency Peace Federation, and other bodies represented by national officers.

"(2) Exchange of minutes, bulletins, plans, copies of circular letters, etc., between the executives of all these organizations. Each should keep a full file of the publications and minutes of the other.

"(3) A joint registration bureau of the names of co-operating local organizations and individuals throughout the United States should be established in New York under a committee representing the agencies which maintain it, in charge of a clerk appointed by this committee.

"(3) Co-operation in Washington:

"(1) During session of Congress through a weekly conference of legislative agents.

"(2) Through congressional campaigns planned in advance, distributing the work among the organizations. "(4) General co-operation:

"(1) A written agreement as to the division of organizing work throughout the country.

"(2) A joint program agreed upon by the organizations showing what matters each will handle and in exactly what way."

The Emergency Peace Federation, of course, having been largely responsible for the very birth of the First American Conference for Democracy and Terms of Peace, strained every nerve, in the combined efforts of the Misses Shelly and Secor in its behalf.

In other words, while Lochner was federating the various forces of the radical and pacifist leagues under the banner (and letterhead) of the Conference itself, these ladies were stirring up old followers, inspiring new ones and generally feeding fuel to the central fires in the name of the Emergency Peace Federation.

Before, therefore, going on to Lochner's own organizing activities for the Conference, we will consider a little those of his principal aides. At the same time it might be well to mention the fact once more that there were many high-minded and genuine pacifists in the movement, some not understanding it in the least, and others becoming gradually converted, or hypnotized into believing that a revolution leading to Socialism would make a paradise of the world.

Naturally, the several women on the staff of the Emergency Peace Federation knew well enough that they were helping Lochner to develop for the Conference a thoroughly practical platform. Miss Secor's letters to New York pacifists may have been a little vague as to method but those of Miss Shelly to the Emergency Peace Federation organizers in the field, enclosing the Call to Action" of the Conference, were altogether specific. Between the first and the third weeks of May, 1917, Miss Shelly wrote to the following persons:

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1. To Mrs. Lola Maverick Lloyd, of Chicago, (May 5, 1917): "I wish very much that you could stir them and other Chicago pacifists up to some action after May 18th. The issue now is specific terms of peace. Your devoted soul will leap to hear that there is a powerful movement on foot to bring together all democratic forces in America to discuss and push for this very thing. The Organization Committee meets tonight. This conference will be somewhat parallel to your Chicago Emergency Conference in 1915, except if I read the signs correctly, it will be more all-inclusive. I am sending you twentyfive copies of our latest pamphlet 'In Time of War Prepare for Peace,' which I wish you would distribute judiciously." 2. To the Reverend E. R. Wagner, of Huntingdon, Pa., (May 8, 1917):

"The first chapter of our existence was chiefly one of emergency action and protest. The second must be one of careful planning, thorough organization and constructive action. Any plans we make are effective only as we can induce friends of peace all over the country to co-operate with us. Will you help to organize an Emergency Peace Federation in Huntingdon."

3. To Mr. Joseph Schonfield, (May 21, 1917), Minneapolis,

"Call to Action" as issued by Conference Organizers, May 7, 1917.

Minn., and Prof. A. O. Lovejoy, (May 9, 1917), of Johns-Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., the regular form letter beginning:

"The Emergency Peace Federation had its beginning on February 3d, the day Count von Bernstorff was handed his passports."

4. To Senator LaFollette and Representative William Mason, both in Washington, D. C., (May 16, 1917):

"This is to introduce to you Mrs. J. Sargent Cram of New York City, who has been one of the mainstays of the Emergency Peace Federation, and who is now especially devoting herself to the problem of the conscientious objectors. Her home is the rallying point for a great number of young men who are unalterably opposed to war, and who are looking to her for guidance as to what course to pursue when once the Conscription Act has been passed.

(Italics ours.)

5. Mr. Elmer Willis Serl, River Falls, Wis. :

"It is hoped by the leaders that every peace organization in the country, every Socialist and Labor Local, and all other radical groups, will push this program and demand peace negotiations based on the principles therein enunciated." (May 8, 1917).

6. Mr. Albert Steinhauser, New Ulm, Minn.:

"While individual co-operation through correspondence is essential as furnishing the basis for more solid organization, group organization and group action is inevitably the method by which we will effect our purpose."

(May 9, 1917).

7. Dr. C. F. Taylor, of the "Medical World," Philadelphia: "The first American Conference on Democracy and Terms of Peace will be held on May 30th. It will formulate a program of principles, and the plan of action on which all supporters of peace and democracy may unite. This program will undoubtedly be in thorough accord with that of the Russian Council of Workmen and Soldiers. We want the people of America to join hands with the people of Russia in a respectable demand that the government cease to

'Dated May 19, 1917.

'Italics ours.

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juggle alternately with words and millions of human lives, and state concretely what they are fighting for."

8. Rev. Arthur L. Weatherly (a Ford Pilgrim), of Lincoln, Neb., (May 9, 1917):

To be frank, the Emergency Peace Federation is a much more radical organization, and will step in the vanguard of the fight more actively and uncompromisingly, than the American Union against Militarism. This is not disparaging the latter Finally, please tell me just

what organizations or societies in Lincoln we can depend upon for radical peace action."

9. To Arthur LeSueur, Non-Partisan League, North Dakota: "If, however, the people of America do not bring pressure on the government to back up demoracy in Russia and Germany, the war may continue as long as the war party wishes it." (May 11, 1917.)

A very interesting piece of co-operation with Miss Shelly from the field about this time was on the part of J. Barnard Walton of the Religious Society of Friends (and of Swarthmore College), who wrote to her in answer to a letter on May 24, 1917:

"Dr. Hull forwarded to me your letter to him with the name of your members in Swarthmore, and I have also received your letter of the 16th We have already two active organizations, the local group which at least is absolutely in agreement with the platform of the Emergency Peace Federation. They are the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Woman's Peace Party. They contain the persons named on your list and several others. I would therefore suggest that you put on your list exactly as if they were secretaries of local groups of the Emergency Peace Federation:-Mrs. Elizabeth W. Collins, Swarthmore, Pa., for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and Emilie W. Pollard, Swathmore, Pa., for the Woman's Peace Party."

Not only Mr. Walton, but virtually all persons addressed by Conference officials were sympathetic to her peace overtures. Among those eager to co-operate were Dr. John Lovejoy Elliot, of the New York Ethical Culture Society'; Dr. John Herman