SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1917.

UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C.

The committee met, pursuant to call of the chairman, at 9.30 o'clock a. m., in the committee room, Capitol, Senator George E. Chamberlain presiding.

Present: Senators Chamberlain (chairman), Kirby, Brady, and Frelinghuysen.

Also present: Miss Elisabeth Freeman, legislative secretary of the Emergency Peace Federation; Rev. Norman Thomas, New York City; Joseph Cannon, representing the International Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers; Mrs. Glendower Evans, of Boston, representing the League for Democratic Control; Hollingsworth Wood, representing the Society of Friends; Grant Hamilton, representing the American Federation of Labor; Prof. Edward P. Cheney, of the University of Pennsylvania; Mrs. William I. Thomas, of Chicago, representing Woman's Peace Party; C. H. Kruse, president of the International Welfare Brotherhood; Dr. J. Eads How, organizer of the International Welfare Brotherhood: Mr. A. H. Tomlinson, Philadelphia Branch, American Union Against Militarism; Capt. C. E. Lang, formerly captain, United States Army; Mrs. Annie Riley Hale; Mrs. Ida May Waters, of Washington, D. C.; Miss Leonora Warnerson, of Kansas City, Mo., representing the League for Democratic Control.

The CHAIRMAN. This hearing this morning is had at the request of the representatives of the organizations present. Although the bill for increasing the Army has already been reported to the Senate, the hearings will be reported stenographically and printed for the use of the committee and others who desire to hear the views expressed by those who are to speak this morning. The committee will first hear Rev. Norman Thomas.

STATEMENT OF REV. NORMAN THOMAS, OF NEW YORK CITY.

Dr. THOMAS. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I am a clergyman and pastor of the East Harlem Presbyterian Church, of New York City. This morning I desire to speak especially for the point of view of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is not a political organization at all. It is a religious organization formed some two years ago. It is composed of men and women whose very earnest desire is to work out what they believe to be the principles of Christ in the present social order, and they have been compelled to come to the conclusion that the method of war is one which is opposed to their consciences.

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