LABOUR AND REVOLUTION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 61, 6 December 1920, Page 6

LABOUR AND REVOLUTION

ME. GOMPERS'S REBUKE.

Speaking for the American Federal ion of Labour, of which he is president. Mr. Samuel Gompers published an important and significant statements the-official organ, "American Federation," on, Octoher 1, in which ho repudiates tho present Labour movement in Great Britain, declares his nttor lack of sympathy with the polieios announced by the International Federation of Trade Unions at Amsterdam, and denounce the Soviet movement of Russia. If Mr. Gompers truly represents tho policy of his organisation (commonts a '.New York correspondent), Irjs statement means that union labour in America re-fuses to Join any Socialism movement which aims to support the Soviet system. Mr. Gompers admits that his pronouncement making American Labour's policy cloar was inspired by tho receipt of a cablegram from, tho chairman of tho British Labour Party, who, "claiming to speak for tho British trade union Laljour movement," conveyed to him thoroughly revolutionary suggestions obviously animated with a desire to use extreme measures* for strengthening the hold of tho Soviet power in ...Russia and enabling it to extend its ihlluenco.

"The American Federation of Labour," says Mr. Gompcrs, "is. not a revolutionary body, and has never had any affiliation with any revolutionary body which would require it to give serious consideration to revolutionary proposals of. any kind. While recognising tho need of revolution against autocratic governments, organised Labour in his country regards the American Government as being essentially democratic."

The British Labour Party's policy and methods, Mr. Compere adds, puts the British movement in a position ol' "Anarchistic hostility to nil Governments without discrimination." lie points out that America is a freo Kepublic, and Americans realise, that they have the power to overthrow Governments at the polls. Mr. Gompors'i; statement proves conclusively Hint tho Conservative element in the ranks of American Labour has secured another firm grip. The extremists for tho past year or more Jiuve been trying; to. swing tho federation over to Socialism by "boring from within," and although Hie organisation, during the stress of strikes, has delivered itself ni some, radical utterances, it has stopped short of giving any official support of the "WorhkHedo."