New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-11
Communism Threatens to
Engulf Whole Country
Unless Employers and
Workers Reach Terms
Extremists Would
Seize All Industry
Socialist Leaders Confer
With Labor Chiefs, but
Await Return of Premier
BY Ralph Courtney
.&DcCinI Cable 10 The Trih,Lnc

MILAN, Sept. 10.-Tattered red rags
hanging from f1imsy, improvsed flag
poles, mark the progress Of industrial
revolution in Italy. Unless the present
quarrel is settled within the next few
days communism threatens to engulf
the whole country. The Soviet en-
blems increase in number and size as
the trains from France wind their way
through the fertile, mountain hanked
valley of Susa toward the industrial
centers Of Turin and Milan.
On some of the rcd flags are ham
mer and sickle. Under this emblem
Of the workman and the peasant the
Italian extremists announce their in
tention Of Selling the country's means
of production unless their employers
grant their demands.
Judging from the fields and the work
going on in them, it would seem doubt
full whether the present agitation was
stopping agricultural production. On
the other hand, little work appears to
be done in the sovietized factories
Black smoke is still pouring from the
chimneys of some of the smaller works,
but this is the exception rather than
the rule. All the largest works con-
nected with the metallurgical industry
have been seized by the workers. But
the workers are not continuing to pro-
duce to the extent generally reported.
Soviets Nearing Crisis
A tattered blood-red banner is an al
most sure sign of idleness: The sup
ply of raw materials already has run
short, and the time is coming within a
few days when the soviets must &C
knowledge themselves beaten or over
turn the government.
Minister of Labor .Labriola has been
trying to bring capital and labor, to-
gether, but so far his efforts have been
long as possible will maintain its pres
ent attitude Of neutrality. 1t declares
that the dispute is primarily one be-
tween capital and labor, who must
fight out their battles alone.
The troubles here all began with a
demand by the workers for higher
wages. The employers refused the de-
mand and instituted a lockout to pre-
vent strike among the men. Angered
by this, the metallurgical workers took
possession of the factories and began
to run them on soviet plans brought
back from Russia by an Italian Social
list mission.
The Italian extremists threaten to
call out the workers of all other in
dustries within a few days to support
the metallurgists.
Little Effect on Country
Until now, however, the revolution
ary agitation appears to have had little
effect on the country, its transporta-
ton facilities or the general life Of its
communities. The great electric power
station which generates the current
for hauling the heavy Orient Express
through the fifteen-mile tunnel under
the Alps is still working at full blast.
The trains do not slow down because
part of the strikers. Night and day
they run at express speed regardless
of the agitation. Stones have been
thrown now and again against the first
class coaches, but most of the trains,
after week of agitation, are coming
through without incident.
The employers say they believe that
the Communists already are showing
signs of weakening. In their most re-
cent meetings the employers have
taken a tirmer stand. They say they
are willing to open peace negotiations,
but stipulate that the factories must
first be evacuated by the Soviets.
Great Turin Plants Guarded
At Turin an unusually large humble r
Of caribineri are guarding the railroad
station, but life in general continues
Continued on next Dage)