DIRECT ACTION IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 5

DIRECT ACTION IN FRANCE

NEW FORCE IN POLITICS

WILL M. CLEMENCEAU TAKE FIRM ACTION?

(Prom the London "Observer's" Own Correspondent, Philippe Millet.). Paris, July 17. .One week after the National Fourteenth of July, on Monday next to be exact. lYance is going to experience, so wo are told, a genera; strike of twentyfour hours. The order to this effect was issued br tlio General Confederation of Labour (C.G.T.) after two meetings of its Executive Committee held on July 1 and S. The C.6.T. declared in its manifesto "that for France July 21 next would be a dav of a general strike for all professions,, it being understood that the same manifestation' would bo held in Italy on tho same day; for England, for special reasons, it would be held on the 20th instant." The object of the said manifestation is to onforco on a roluctant Government:-(l) Quick and complete demobilisation; (2) restoration of constitutional liberties; (3) full and complete amnesty for political and military sentences; (4) • cessation of armed intervention in Russia; (5) enforcement of adequate measures against tlio high cost of living. This is the first time on this side of the Channel that Labour .is trying distinctly to intervene in politics by means of direct action. A curious experiment, wall worth watching.That tho whole affair is somewhat artificial is clear to all those who witnessed the public rejoicings of July 14. Never had a moro good-humoured and goodnatured crowd been seen in Paris than on that occasion. And a popular crowd it was. indeed. Peoplo from Paris and from tho provinces, workmen, peasants, and the so-called bourgeoisio were all there bv hundreds of thousands. If there had been any deep discontent anions: them it would have been easy to notice it by watching their faces or their movements throughout the day and the night. Some disinterested students of psychology, among them a prominent British Cabinet Minister who did not hesitate to swim through thus human ocean, took, in fact, the troublo to walk that day through Paris in order to feel the pulse of that-great thing—a nation. Their impression was a unanimous one: this body of peoplo were not on the brink of Bolshevism. Unless apoearauces are entirely deceptive Prance has never been further from a revolution than she is to-day.

A Pushing Minority. Such a phenomenon as the present move of tho C.G.T. cannot, 'however, be dismissed with ft mero shrug of the shoulders. Looking into it with some care, one finds first of all that, although the people are fortunately far from starving, the continuous increase in the price of commodities is obviously causing a _ great deal of impatience among the middle class as well as of Labour. It is striking in this respect to find the recently-formed Union of Actors, while dissociating themselves from the political 6ide of the show, deciding that they will join the general strike in order to protest against the cost of living. This is really the only substantial plaint on which tho leaders of tho movement have been able to play. But tho real origin of this attempt to mobilise Labour against the lawful government of the country is, as fax as one can judge, to bo found in another direction. For the first time trade unionism is acquiring in France a. power it has never known before. Curiously enough, its best leaders, men like Jouhaux and Merrheim, Tvfto are coaching the exocutivo committee of the C.G.T. or like Bidegaray, tho leader of the railwaymon, become moro sober and fully realise tho danger of allowing politics to^invade what ought to rcraniti a professional organisation. Between them, however, and the mass of the rank and file, who are on the whole sensible and timid, a pushing minority has recently cropped up who want trade, unionism to Wy.its. forces,, and. whom the majority dp not dare to resist. It is from that element, rather than from tne professional Socialist politician, whoso influence 13 quickly dwindling, that the movement is deriving its inspiration. Under such a disguised leadership organised French labour is attempting to becomo a political force which would threaten to outweigfh Parliament on all national questions, even as regards foreign affairs as well as on economic problems.

Government Warning, The result of this risky attempt is already noticeable among the public. It is making the Government popular-'a remarkablo achievement. Thero is little doubt _ that the management of economic difficulties ihas not been thb bright side of tho Clemeneeau Cabinet. Tho question of the price ot commodities, and morb generally or profiteering ] lav been • moro left in tho hands of second-rate mei, who have, not given the public tho impression of being equal to their task. Perhaps M. Henry Roy, a distinguished member of the Chamber, who has just been appointed Commissioner for Supnlv will be more successful. In any Vase! had tho Labour leaders confined themselves to protesting against the lack of a debnito economic policy they would have had the whole public sympathy on their side. But the great mass of the French nation are before all fond of order if they are not somewhat conservative' in Patios. The announcement of tho O.G.r. has therefore shocked not onW thexqnsumors but even a large number of their own rank and file. This was con* spicuoua the other day when the Government issued a warning to the railwaymen and postment m case they should ■decide to join the contemplated strike following that move, a number of local unions of .railwaymen held meetings in which they declared their decision not to stnko. Following that move, a number of local unions of railwaymen held meetings in which they declared their decision not to strike on the 21st while tho whole Press, with exception of tho •socialist papers, was applauding. As a matter of fact, publio resentment against the organisers of tho strike is already so high that M. Clemeneeau is certain to havo the support of a majority even larger than his usual ono if he takes a farm action against thoso of the postmen or of the railwaymen who will choose to leave work next Monday It is still possible that things will'not conio to a clash and that tho moro sober elements in .tho C.G.T. will find at the last moment a means of enforcing their T, I<w « £ n m tho otherß> Should . however, the C.G.T. decide to fight it out, it may well experience a more or less complete failure-. What is pretty oertain is that the question will have to be settled either this time or another whether Usance should bo henceforth governed by the oleoted representatives of the people or by a minority of trade union leader. Ihe very same question, touching the roots of democracy, is being raised at present all over the world, It will bo interesting to see how Prance will overcome this difficulty whioh sho never knew before the war. With a strong Government at her head, and with the help of victory, she may put her house in order more quickly than other less fortunate nations. For tho French peasant feels he has won the war, and ho is not likely to indulge in Russian experiences.