DIRECT ACTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 68, 17 October 1916, Page 5

DIRECT ACTION.

WORK OF THE I.W.W. SCIENTIFIC SABOTAGE. A REMARKABLE PROPAGANDA. Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.50 a.m.) Sydney, October 17. In the concluding evidence in the treason case, some extraordinary literature was produced, The following advertisement appeared in the' paper, Direct Action: "Wanted recruits, male or female, for., Workers of the ~WoVldfC% st b » de_ termined and ' nnsfcrtipuleiWjiy unafraid of goal or tlo.ati^ '■.h nearest J.AV.W. Recruiting office." A letter, signed by the Genera] Secretary of the I.W.W. Hall, London, was read as follows: "Things are rough here. We are nearly all either interned as enemies or have been goaled under conscription. Most of us expect to be goaled in a week or so, as from Saturday we are soldiers. They haven't caught us yet, though, even then, we shall not be soldiers. Curse them." A letter from the Workers' University, Direct Action Group, Auckland headquarters, contained the following: "Our education scheme will deal with economic biology, physiology, scientific sabotage, etc., which are the most potent weapons for a militant minority. Original dope or ideas will' be given out, showing how a few individuals, here and there on different jobs can any day and at all times, by incessant silent sabotage, without the knowledge of the boss, or in writing for concessions particularly, shorten the hours so that it will bo necessary to enable all unemployed to become absorbed. By scientific sabotage, silently and Jcsuitically applied, victimisation and detention will become a thing of the past." There were many other letters from various centres advocating sabotage One suggested the use of "directaction" on the judge who sentenced Barker and others, and there-Was another from a Chinaman at Rangoon, showing that the propaganda was proceeding by means of publications and lectures.