Form Letter from Victor L. Berger

The federal authorities forbid the MILWAUKEE LEADER to go through the mails. We cannot send you the paper for which you have paid while this order is in force, but we have given you credit for the entire time after Oct. 4 for which you are paid up, and as soon as the LEADER is allowed to start mailing the paper again we shall send it for the full time to which you are entitled. The label on this envelope is your receipt.

Whatever happens, the MILWAUKEE LEADER will stand by its colors. We repeat that the war was caused by the struggle between Great Britain and Germany for commercial supremacy of the world's trade. The Social-Democracy of the world stands for peace and demands peace. International Socialism is bound to triumph and will stop the mass murder.

The Leader will carry its case into the courts and make it a test case. The United States constitution forbids Congress to make any law "abridging the freedom of speech or of the press." We must find out whether the constitution is a dead letter or still in force.

The suspension of the Leader's mail circulation has very seriously reduced our revenue. We have, therefore, started a Press Defense Fund to meet the expenses of our struggle for free speech. We hope you realize that our fight is your fight - that the Leader is your weapon for freedom.

Will you contribute to this fund? How much is the Leader worth to you? How much is freedom worth to you?

Send all contributions to the Milwaukee Leader. If you can, buy one or more Leader bonds, which cost $5.00 a bond, without delay.

This is all-important. Without a free press, all our liberties are lost. If we have no voice and no opportunity to inform the public, then all our remaining rights may be taken from us. Already in some places Socialist meetings are forbidden. Next may go the right of suffrage. There are ominous rumors that the ruling powers will try to cut out the Congressional elections next year.

Socialists! Americans! Awake now - or become slaves.

THE MILWAUKEE LEADER

Victor L. Berger, Editor
FW Rehfeld, Business Manager