New-York tribune., 1920-05-12
Plans for Big Bolshevik
Uprising All Over Ma
ton Seized i'm Descent
ON Labor Federation
Cabinet Seeks to
Dissolve lJniog,
Leaders Arrested byOrder
of Millerand to Check
General Strike Spread
By Ralph Courtney
Special cable to The Tribune

Copyright, 1920. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, May 1.-THE government to-
day ordered the dissolution of the
General Federation of Labor, which
preciptated the general strike now on
by calling out transport workers, dock
laborors and miners to support the
railway men in their demand for the
naturalization Of the carriers.
AS soon as the decree had been pub
lished a large force Of police raidcd the
Lafayette Street headquarters Of the
organization, seizing many documents
and papers. Among the latter the DO
lice discovered plans that had been
made for gigantic Bolshevik uprising,
which was destined to set up soviet
system in France.
Arrests Of persons connected with
the blot were made immediately in
Paris and in the outlying provinces.
The police made a similar raj at the
private residence Of Leon JouhauX.
president of the federation, and seized
ell the papers they could find in pro
tracted search.
No resistance was offered by mem
btrs Of the federation. as they were at
tending a special organization meeting
which was being held in another part
Of tho city.
PARIS, May II (By The Associated
issued against members of the admin
istrative council of the General
Federation of Labor. directing them
to appear before the Tribune Of
Correction for alleged violation of five
articles of the law Of 1884. it was an
nounced tonight following a confer
ence between the Minister of Justice,
the Public Prosecutor and other prose
cutting officials. If found guilty the
labor leaders Will be subject to fine.
Among those against whom proceed
lngs will be instituted are NM. JouhauN
Demoulins. Laurent, Lapierre and Cal
veirach and several secretaries of the
federation.
The decision Of the government to
seek the dissolution Of the federation
came after an hours discussion by the
Council of Ministers at the Palace of
the Elysee, presided over by Prcsi dent
Deschanel.
Cancellation Is Refused
The Cabinet first discussed the advis-
ability of Premier Milcrand receiving
unified Socialist Deputies bearing a
message from the general federation
saying II was ready to call off the
strike providing the Premier would give
an undertaking to appoint govern
mental commission to meet the fedora
tions delegates and discuss nationaliza-
ton of the public utilities.
NJ. Millerand opposed any negota
tons with the federation. He quoted
Articles Ill and VII and TX of the law
Of 1884, under which the federation was
organized, which permits the fedora
tion exclusively the privilege Of study
ing the economic interests of unions
and syndicatos and their defense. He
argued that the federation was con
ducting the present strike for political
purposes and had exceeded those for
which it was organized. There could be
no compromise, the Premier declared
It being case Of the French govern
ment or the federation running the
country.
Some members Of the Cabinet were
inclined to adopt a concilatorv atti-
tude, but the Premier stubbornly de-
Tended his point of view, which finally
was adopted. Whether any arrests OF
leaders of the federation will be made
rests entirely upon the decision of NJ n
lster L'Hoplteau, who was given full
powers to take such measures as he
might deem necessary.
Strike conditions to-day were i'm
proved from the public standpoint. The
Continued payo slx)