LABOUR THREAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 5

LABOUR THREAT

DECISION ON INTERNATIONAL

SITUATION

TALK OF DIRECT ACTION

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. August 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 13. Mr. W. Adamson (chairman of the Parliamentary labour l'arty), who presided at the Labour Conference, said that tho action of jingoistic France and the manifestation of the dollar-making instinct of America, during the last 43 hours, mado tho holding of a conference more than ever necessary. He challenged Mr. Lloyd George to deny he had received repeated declarations from the Soviet to preserve Poland's independence. Tho Labour Party told the Government categorically ' that there would bo .no war between Britain and Russia.

llr. J. H. Thomas, in moving a resolution approving the Council's action in the present situation, said that if circumstances demanded, it would bo botter for the whole labour movement to decide on direct action. Only desperate and dangerous methods could prevent a calamity. The following resolution was adopted by acclamation:—

That realising the gravity of tho international situation, the Conference pledges itself to resist every form of military and naval intervention against tho Soviet Government, and instructs the Council to secure (1) absolute guarantees that Britain's armed forces will not bo used to support Wrangel or any other effort; (2) -withdrawal of Britain's forces operating as a blockading influence against Russia; (3) recognition, of the Soviet. Government and the establishment of unrestricted trade relations between Britain and Russia. Tho Conferonce refused to be associated with any alliance between Britain and France committing those countries to support Poland or 'Wrangel.—Aus.N.Z. C&blo Assn. BRITISH DELEGATES TO VISIT FRANCE. (Reo. August 15, 11.5 p.m.) London, August 14. The Council of Action will dispatch' Messrs. Adamson and Gosling to Paris to confer with the General Confederation of Workers and the French Socialists anent the Polish situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN APPROVAL OF DECISION. (Ike. August 15, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, August 14. The Farmer-Labour candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Farley P. Christensen, has cabled to Mr. Adamson, chairman of fhe Labour Conference in London, congratulating British workers on their determination to resist military intervention against Russia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. seamentTdecision EMBARGO ON TROOPS AND MUNITIONS. (Rec. August 16, 1 a.m.) Brussels, August 15. The International Seamen's Congress resolved that in order to prevent future wars, seamen should refuso to transport troops and munitions. Tho decision applies to tho Russo-Polish conflict.—Reuter, THE COUNM ACTION LABOUR MAN'S DECLARATION, fficc. August IG, 0.50 a.m). London, August 15. Mr. Hodges, secretary of tho Miners' Federation, contributes an article to the "Sunday Express" declaring that tho Council of Action is the most significant thing since the birth of tho kbour movement in Britain. The council's success, he says, is due to tho spirit of opposition to war. It is not a challenge to Parliamentary government, but a challenge- to Government procedure which is at variance with tho people's will. If the Government challenges tho people's right to express its will m this form it would mean civil war. The motives of bringing the council into being are transient. Thero is no question of establishing a Soviet Government in Britain.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.