Norwich bulletin., 1920-06-16
SOVIET RUSSIA MOVEMENT
 BLOCKED BY THE A. F. OF l..

Montreal June 15-Movement to cal upon the United States u recognize lne soviet government or lift b.ockadeS against soviet Russia, was blocked in the annual convention of the American FeIe ratiin of Labor today after, heated de- bate James A Duncan of the Seattie central labor council, led the fight in be- half of the soviet with the aid of repre- ssentatiyes of the Lad.es Garment WorH- CTS, but the convention adopted by an overwhelming vote the report of the reso- lutions committee opposing any action.a
 The committee report declared the federation would not be Justified in talk ! ing Fany action that mighe be construed as Ian assistance, to-, or approval Of, the soviet governmnt, so long as it is based | upon authority which has not been vest ed in it by popular ntaional represent alive ass ambly of the Russian peep e. or so long as it endeayors to create revolu- tions in well-establisned civilized na- tions of the world, or so long as it ad vocates and applies niilitarization to ..,- bor and prevents the organizing a-IJ functioning of trades unions and main l tenance of free speech, free press and l free public assemblies.
 1 John Frey, chairman Of the resolu- i tions committee, said it had ascerta ined
 
 ! yiet government is an 'autocratic, mili- taristic government that does not believe ] in democracy" and is ruling by the ] iron hand of the dictatorship" Ex- i tracts from Lenines speeches which ke 1 read, showed, Mir. Frey dsc-arey, that Lenine believed in making trades unions 1 subseryient to the soviet government, and labor compulsory" Opposition to the re- port, he said, might indicate that the holshevik had infested the ranks or or ganized labor in America with it's prop aganda."
 MT. Duncan said the committee had made 'camouflage" report to deceive the workers of the country as to the true situation in Russia. Conditions there 1 were much better than reported in this country, and added that President Wiz son aud Premier Lloyd George appro ved recognition of the soviet government but l had not the courage of their convictions I to stand up and declare for it." 1 James Duncan of Washington, D. C. l first vice president of the federation, an- swered in defense of the committee re- port. He read telegram from Secretary of State Colby which said the existing goivernment did not represent the will. or consent of any considerable proportion of the Russian people.
 l DdNld 6range, a New York delegate. 1 sad the greatest trouble in America was the bolshevisC pIot,ers wfo are trying to disrupt organized labor.
 | . The telegram from Secretarly of Stata 1 Colby said: There is no licensed or regular trading between the United States and Russia at present. There ] have been as you may know several conferences on the subject of the re- moyal of restrictions against tradign with l Russia. These conferences have been ] held in Europe and their course has been carefully observed by this government. They have So far been void of result. The soviet government is insistent upon political recognition as a condition prece- dent to a renewal of any commercial con- tact.
 I While this government has no desire to 1nterefere with the internal affairs of l the Russian people or to suggest the kind. of government that they should Aee the existing regime in Russia dose not represent the will or consent if any Considerable proportion of the Russian people. It repudiates every principle of harmonious and trustful relations, wheth- CT of nations or of individuals and is ] based upon the negation of honor and ! good faith and every usage and cenven- ton underlying the structure of interna-
 tional law