Report of the Mexican Liberal Defense Conference of Chicago

Chicago Comrades Show Great Activity

Unions Visited and Campaign of Persistent Agitation Started

From ‘Regeneración’, English Section, August 19, 1911, Los Angeles, edited by William C. Owen

We have received an official report from the Mexican Liberal Defense Conference of Chicago, which, although organized only last month and greatly handicapped by the hot weather, is showing great activity. An excellent start has been made, and as the fall approaches numerous organizations will resume meetings that have been practically in abeyance during the summer months.

Moreover, the Mexican Revolution is becoming better understood and workers, tho world over are beginning to appreciate the heroic struggle that is being made and the benefit they themselves will derive from the triumph of the Mexican proletariat.

The English section of “Regeneracion” devotes itself almost exclusively to explanation of the great role the Mexican Revolution is playing in the international revolutionary movement, the editor holding the promotion of solidarity the most imperative of duties and being convinced that lack of understanding alone delays solidarity.

The activity of our Chicago comrades, and notably Miss Winner and Miss Goldstein, in the circulation of “Regeneracion” is, therefore, one of the most encouraging features of a situation that is brightening every day. [- William C. Owen]

The report follows:

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On the second of July, 1911, a number of those interested in the Mexican Revolt and the workers of “Regeneracion”, formed themselves into an association as the Mexican Liberal Defense Conference of Chicago, with Honore J. Jaxon as secretary, and the undersigned as treasurer.

Our purposes are to make the cause of the Mexican Revolution and the case of the accused editors and publishers known to the general public, and the workers in particular, in Chicago; to visit local unions and radical societies; to sell copies of the paper; and to solicit funds.

Our committees have thus far visited Bakery and Confectionery Workers’ Local 237, which expressed its moral sympathy and gave a donation of $5; Branch 30 of the Workmen’s Circle, which gave a donation, of $3; ‘Branch ___ which donated $2; Branch 52 which has pledged its moral and financial support; Branch 448 which promises moral and financial support, having taken up a free collection, and desires to co-operate with the Conference; Branch 178 which subscribed $1 and appointed a delegate to the Conference; Branch 141 which, after discussion, referred the entire matter to the executive committee; Branch 409 which passed a resolution strongly condemning the Socialist Press for its silence toward the Mexican Revolution, and promised a donation; and Branch 32, which being a strongly partisan socialist branch, escaped putting itself on record by so postponing action till the end of the meeting as to avoid giving any answer to our committee-man, — a sample of what may be expected from socialist rulings.

Papers have been sold at street and local meetings and picnics. It is our intention, so soon as settled cooler weather may be expected, to arrange public meetings. All those who would feel interested to join in the work of distributing literature, visiting locals, writing letters to the press, helping to arrange meetings, or subscribing to funds, are invited to communicate with me at the address below, Mr. Jaxon being temporarily absent in Europe, where he is representing the same cause.

VOLTAIRINE DE CLEYRE,

2038 Potomac Ave., Chicago, Ill.

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Accompanying the report were a check for $5 from Bakery and Confectionery Workers’ Local 237, not mentioned above, and $2.35 on subscription list, with more promised.