THE PEACE CRUSADE IN OLDHAM - NEWSPAPER LETTERS

OLDHAM CHRONICLE
9th August 1917 (Thursday)
THE PEACE MEETING

Sir, Coming events are casting their shadows before. The scenes which took place on Monday night should convey a warning to the minds of those Government officials, militarists, profiteers, and the other patriots who are finacing, organising, and applauding these cowardly attacks agaisnt a handful of pacifists who, 'like a voice in the wilderness,' are advocating a cessation of hostilities (not for German gold gold, as hinted daily by that portion of the press which is owned and controlled by the reactionary profiteering captains of 'industry') but in the interests of humanity and with a humane desire to prevent any futher useless slaughter of the innocents. If the people can by hypnotised into such state of frenzy over such a trifle as a harmless peace meeting, what will happen when they shake off the chloroform of war, and become 'excited' over a real issue, is too serious to contemplate. Petrograd will pale into insignificance.

The attack upon the I.L.P. rooms bears out the general opinion that it was not a spontaneous uprising, but was fostered by interested parties, who see in a war of attrition the chance to place themselves upon a pedestal of worldy security by the aid of war profits. In the interests of freedom and free speech, and as a protest against the 'Hun-British' attacks upon the liberty of the subject I have decided to join the local branch of the I.L.P., and, as a free-born Briton and a citizen of Oldham, I shall do my utmost to bring pressure to bear upon the government for a complete restoration of all property wantonly destroyed at the I.L.P. rooms by their servants.
Yours truly,
TRADE UNIONIST AND RAILWAYMAN