New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-06
Uprising of Workers Com
timues to Spread, but the
Government Refrains
From Active Measures
Unions Threaten
A General Strike
No Troops To Be Used
Unless Political Coup Is
Attempted by Soviets
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable to The Tribune


PARIS, Sept. 5.--The situation in
Italy, where factory workers in a
dozen cities are reported forcibly to
have seized the industrial plants and
gained absolute possession, was under
stood tonight to be growing worse. A
general strike has been proclaimed in
Trieste and the movement of unrest Is
spreading.
All the efforts Of the government to
come to terms with the metal workers
soviets have failed. The Cabinet plans
to try to starve the Reds out. When
the sovietized factories have shut down
the government hopes to intervene with
greater chances Of success.
All the meager accounts reaching
here agree that the authorities are
offering little resistance. The govern
ment for the moment is affecting to
ignore the grave events that are taking
place. Republican guards are watch
ing the banks in the affected districts,
but the soldiers have not yet attempted
to enter any Red factories. There has
been no fighting and no bloodshed, as
the Reds have had no opposition.
Depends on Public Opinion
The government hopes that many of
the workers will tire Of Bolshevism as
soon as the supplies of raw materials
are exhausted at the factories. It is
thought that public opinion may stife
the movement after the first enthusi-
asm has worn off.
The authorities fear to resort to
force against the Reds so long as they
confine their activities to economic
spheres. The police are said to wink
at the confiscation of factories and
private property, but are reported
ready to take action if the soviets at
tempt to assume political power.
So far the unrest has been confined
largely to the metal workers, but COM
munism threatens to spread to other
industries. Transportation Is expected
soviet rule. All ships in Naples har-
Dor, like those at Genoa, have been
ordered by the Seamen's Federation
Labor Minister fabriola is trying
his best to conciliate the workers and
employers on the questions which led
to the seizure Of the factories.
Wages Base of Demands
The present trouble began with a
demand for increased wages. La
triola has proposed that a commission
of inquiry be appointed to determine
whether the metallurgical trades can
afford to- pay an increased salary list.
Both sides accept this proposal, but
the employers refuse to augment the
salaries as desired by the workers
pending the decision Of the commits
sion.
Despite the advice of number of
Socialist leaders who do not consider
the time ripe for communism in Italy,
the Red ideas are gaining ground. The
General Federation of Labor threatens
to call out the workers in all the in
dustries in support of the metal work
ers. Important meetings of the Ital-
ian Socialist leaders were held to-day
t. determine their policy toward the
Red movement
PARIS, Sept. s (By The Associated
Press).-Dealing with the situation Gre
ated by the seizure of factories by
metal workers in several Italian cities,
Havas Agency dispatch from Rome
to-day says:
"The government, although conscious
of the seriousness Of the situation, is
continuing to refrain from regarding
the present demonstrations too grave
ly, retaining confidence in the good
sense of the workers and the concili-
atory spirit of the employers.
"In Milan the police drove off party
Of workers which was attempting to
seize control of a factory.
"The employers and workers at
Viareggio have reached an agreement
and work will be resumed Immediately u
LONDON, Sept. 5,Sunday passed
quietly in Italy, according to a Stefani
agency dispatch from Rome. Many of
the metal workers remained in the fac
I tories they had seized, without their
occupation giving rise to any disturb
ances. Work in some Of the shops was
again normal in consequence of the
employers consenting in advance to
accept an agreement, which it is hoped
will eventually be reached between the
employers and the workmen.
FER ND -R.