The Butte daily bulletin., 1919-06-16
British Labor Plans Strike
To Stop Invasion of Russia

II ~ 0SNF
| London, May 15.-(By Mail. J.
With the calming down of the in
| dustrial situation, labor has been
| able to turn it's attention once more
| to international questions. The
question underlying all other ques-
| tions in the labor movement is
whether the labor policy can await
| the slow processes of parliament or
is to be enforced by other means.
A serious discussion is taking place
with regard to the use of industrial
action to secure labor's internation-
| al ends should the latter prove to
| be in jeopardy through the action
of parliament or of the peace con-
| ference The fact that the present
| moment is one of waiting on events
and that the liberal tone of the
prime minister has induced in some
quarters mood of suspended judg-
ment does not detract from the real
| Importance of this discussion or it's
possible potentialities for the fu-
ture
The first step in the sequence was
taken by the conference of miners
delegates on March 26, when at the
conclusion of the discussion of the
government proposals for the min
ing industry, a resolution was passed
unanimously calling for the immedi-
ate withdrawal of all British troops
from Russia, emphatically protest
ing against 1.-The attempt of the gov
arnment TO fasten conscription on
this country by means of the bill now
before parliament" and announcing
that in the event of it's not being
withdrawn, that ''this conference
proposes to take such steps in con-
junction with the organized labor
movement, both political and indus
trial, as will compel its withdrawal >
Trade Unions for Strike.
At the national conference of the
Labor party and the Trades Union
, congress, held on April 3 for the pur
: pose of discussing the draft of the
League OF Nations covenant, Rob
art Smillie, the powerful and trusted
leader of the miners, brought for
ward on their behalf a resolution
2 urging the government to Withdraw
y all British troops from Russia, tt
= raise the blockade, to withdraw thu
a conscription bill and to release th'
conscientious objectors. This was
/, passed unanimously In the couse o
!, his speech Mr.. Smillie said that i
s ever universal industrial action wa
justified it would be as a figh
against conscription. Robert Viii
: liams, secretary of the transpor
workers (another partner in th
triple industrial alliance,) said tina
in the last resort the workers Nigh
: have to use the strike weapon, ant
personally, he hoped it would be uset
if nothing else had any effect.
i suggestion was also made by th
e miners on this occasion, although
l. not formally put, that a special la
e Dor conference should be held witt
: a mandate from the bodies repre-
: sented to decide on definite action.
e A few days later this idea wa
considered by the national eXecutiv
n of the Labor party and the parlia
II mentary committee of the Trade
Y Union congress at a meeting at tn
/ house of commons. They appointei
: IA deputation to the prime ministe
= on the question of conscription ant
S the national executive issued
o strongly worded statement on all TIL
= different points raised in the min
y ers' resolution. 1t was, however
7 merely an expression of opinion. N
n definite plan of action was laid dow
Il and nothing was said about calling
e special conference. This was presum
y ably due to the conservative atti
;, tude of the parliamentary commit
u tee. The vital question of ways ant
e method involved is bound to Great
u deep cleavages.
d Triple Alliance Firm.
d Far more important We're the pro
: ceedings at Southport on April 16
f The conference of the Miners Fed
d Grafton strongly reaffirmed the Lon
e don resolution and authorized TIL,
+ executive to take it to the meeting o
| the triple alliance (miners, railwa.
men and transport workers) and tt
raise the whole matter there. TIL,
n same night the triple alliance unre
servedly indorsed the action of TIL,
miners and passed a resolution urg
ing the parliamentary committee o
the Trades Union congress ''to con
Vene special national conferenc,
of the trade union movement at TIL,
earliest possible date, so as to enable
the affiliated societies to decide wha
action, if any, should be taken in or
der to compel the government tt
comply with any or all of the term:
of the resolution passed at The
League of Nations conference"
The official statement did no
mention any specific measure!
which might be contemplated, bu
it is certain that what the miner!
mean by their resolution is the
threat of industrial action, i. e., {
strike to secure political aims. This
idea has undoubtedly made consid