The Irish standard., 1911-11-25
ENGLAND MENACEO
WITH CIVIL WAR
So Says Prominent London Paper
and Gives it's Reasons
Therefor.
Socialists Said to Have Organized
Wide Movement to Combat
Government.


With these ominous words, and I'M
der striking first page headlines, the
London Daily Express opens a tren-
chant article on socialism and the in
dustrial situation in England. The
paper claims the situation to be acute
ly dangerous. Going into details it
says, in part:
The movement, which is being en-
gineered by the Socialists, who domi-
nate the trade unions, was initiated
secretly in August, when influential
leaders were informed that the govern,
ment was discussing the possibility of
passing legislation which, Under the
gulse of compulsory arbitration, would
have the effect of depriving trade un-
ionists of the right to strike.
The dictators' intentions were made
known publicly yesterday, when a
manifesto was issued by the General
Federation Of Trade Unions in the
following terms:
'Reactionary forces are everywhere
preparing to meet social aspirations
with measures of repression. Already
IN some countries workers may not
legally combine for industrial purpos-
es, while in others trade unions may
not legally support their members on
strike. Britain has won the right to
combine, her workers have possessed.
unquestioned. the right to strike when
conditions became uncomfortable. and
for many years trade unions have paid
or withheld strike pay without any in
reference from the law, but all this
Is to be altered.
Cancellation Boards.
There are on foot in this country
various schemes for the establishment
of government Cancellation boards. be
fore which workmen may be compell. .
Ell to attend and give evidence or pro
duce books; these boards may inflict
fines, with the accompanying posi- j.
bilities of distraint and Imprisonment
upon workmen who strike or advocate
a strike while any board is reviewing
the fact, reports and circumstances
surrounding a dispute. Every effor t
is being made to persuade the work i.
ers that the composition of this tri j.
bunal will be fair; and that the effect
OF it's action will apply equally to both
sides. In the nature of things this is
impossible.
IF the opposition of the trade I'M
ionists is strong, we'll organized, and
definite, the government will not press
this proposal; it may even declare
that it never had any intention of so
doing; if. however, there Is weak and
divided trade union protest, shackles
will be forged, liberties will be abro-
gated, and workmen in this country
will be reduced to a condition Dor
dering on Industrial serfdom.
TRADE unionists must become a
regular army, possessing definite Or
sanization, enjoying intelligent direc-
ton, and permitting effective control
from properly constituted headquar .
tiers, in order that 1t may at any tim
place all it's strength wherever that
strength is most needed. 1t is in the
nature Of things that the greater will
absorb the lesser, and the sooner trade
unions appreciate the act upon this
truth the better"
Leaders Are Sounded.
The Express was informed yester-
day that hasty communications pass
ed between the trade union leaders
when the intention Of the government
was communicated to them in August.
Arrangements were made to discuss
the matter in secrecy at Newcastle
on-Tyne, prior to the opening of
Trade Union Congress.
A long consultation took place, and
the leaders began very cautiously to
sound their followers, both in CONVEX
sation and by phrases in their con-
gress speeches which might enable
them to gauge the feeling of the dele
gates, each one of whom has influence
in his own locality.
One means Of sounding the congress
was to issue a statement which should,
without precisely stating so, embody
"a criticism of the scheme before the
cabinet.
1t was at this point that Mr.. Will
Crooks labor disputes bill was so Sc .
verely criticized. There was strong
suspicion that it had been inspired by
the government as a means Of testing
labor feeling.
The bill was made the subject Of a
special circular. $4,000 copies Of which
were distributed throughout the coun-
try. The first copies were sent to the
congress and Mr.. Crooks and his bill
were swept away hy such a burst Of