Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-16
SOVIET RULE DENOUNCED
BY AMERICAN FEDERATION
Resolution Asking United States to
Lift Russian Blockade Voted
Down Overwhelmingly.
WILSON'S POSITION INDORsED
"A. Il. L.. Convention Approves APP
peal 10 President to Release
Prisoners Held for Offcnscs COM
mittcd During War Time.
fHy A.socia,nh p-n., /;

MONTREAL. June l5-Motions
calling upon the United States 10
recognize tho Soviet government and
Nft the blockade against Soviet Rus
STA were defeated in the annual con-
vcntion OF the American Federation
OF Labor here today. after heated
debate. James 4. Duncan. Of the
Seattle Cfntral Labor Council, led
the light In behalf Of the Soviet. with
the aid of representatives OF the In
tcrnaiional Garment Workers. but
the convention adopted by an over
whclmlnS vote the report Of the
resolutions committee. opposing any
action
The committee report declared the
federation would not be Justified in
| taking any action that might be con-
strucd AS an assistance TO. or ap-
proval Of. the Soviet government. so
long as 1t is based upon authority
which has not been vested in IL by
popular national Representatives as
scmbly OF the Russian people. or so
long as II cndcavors-lo create rcvo-
lutions in wcll-esta blishcd civilized
nations OF the world. or SO long as
II advocates and applies miiitariza-
tion to labor and prevents the organ
izlng and functioninE OF trades
unions and maintenance of free
speech. free press and FREQ public as
scmbl!cs."
pussin Ruled by Iron Hand.
John Frey chairman OF the rcso-
lutions committee, said that the So
Wet government. is an "autocratic,
miiitarist!c government. that does
not believe In democracy" and is ru!-
Ing by the Iron hand OF the dictator
ship"
Extracts from Lcninc's speeches
which he read, showed, Mr.. Frey de-
clarcd, that Lonine believed in max
Ing trades unions subservient TO the
Soviet government. and labor com
pulsory." Opposition TO the report.
he SAID, might indicate that the Boil
shevists had infected the ranks Of
organized labor in America with it's
propaganda"
David Grange, New York dele
gate. said the greatest trouble in
America was the Bolshevist plotters.
who are trying TO disrupt organized
labor. I'VE have a good enough
form OF government here in America
for me. and 1 am not going TO take
any chances with Trotzky and
Lcnine's Bolshevist crowd. They are
not any more the friend OF labor
than the CZar in Russia" he said.
Government Position stated.
y telegram from Secretary OF
State Colby said:
There is no licensed or regular
trading between the United States
and Russia at present. The Soviet
government is insistent upon poli.i
cal recognition as a condition Drece-
dent to a renewal OF any CONNIE rcial
contact. While this government has
NJ desire to Interfere with the in
ternai affairs IF the Russian people
or TO suggest She kind of government
tliat they should have. the existing
regime in Russia does no; represent
the will or consent Of any consider
able proportion OF the Russian peo-
PIC. Il repudiateS every principle OF
harmonious and trustful relations.
whether OF nations or of individuals.
and is based upon the neEation of
honor and good faith and every usage
and convention underlying the struc-
ture OF international law
Request Release of Prisoners.
Lucy Eobbins, of the central labor
body of New York. in an address de-
clarcd that 100 persons were being
held in prisons in the United States
Irnntinno1 m St.nopd ypa