Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-06
|TA[YS RADICALS
RUSH TO LEN|N;;
CURBED BY N|TT|
Split by Velvet Glove Policy
of Premier, They Seek
Reorganization.
BY HIRAM X. MODERWELL.
BY Cable to The Star and Chicago
Daily NeMa. CORYrfGht, 1920.

By Cable to The Star and Chicago
Daily News. Copyright, 1920.
ROME, June 5.-Chiefs Of the socialist
party and revolutionary labor organiza-
tons Of Italy have departed for Russia
to get Commissioner Lenin's advice on
how to reorganize the revolutionary bat
talions thrown into confusion by Premier
Nitti's shrewd policy Of the velvet glove.
1t is believed by the socialists that the
wizard Of Moscow will be able to indi-
cate the tactics which will reunite the
movement.
Italy's general economic and financial
situation is more precarious than that of
France. The labor organizations are
stronger and more radical and the con-
sentative interests less rich and de-
termined. The government Is steadily
losing authority. In the last year thou
sands Of acres Of farm land and many
factories have been seized and operated
by armed workers carrying red flags
and the subsequent compromise usual
ly gave their acts a pseudo-legal char
acter.
Millions Of Strikers.
Thus far the government has been un-
able to supply accurate figures on
strikes. but the number OF strikers Is
certainly in tho millions.
When not striking, workers often dis
organize work by "obstructionism." This
differs from sabotage, in that it does not
destroy property. but merely obeys all
rules with mechanical accuracy and the
effect is deadly.
The workers show increasing def
ance Of the state and increasingly
disciplined obedience to their own
leaders. The labor organizations here
are perhaps stronger than anywhere
else in the world. The General Con-
federation of Labor. which demands
r. soviet regime. rose from 100000
members at the end of 1918 to 1885,
900 at the end OF 1919. 1t now claims
to have 100000 members. The So
cialist labor unions on the farms now
number 100000 members. There are
also moro than 100000 organized In
anarchist and syndicalist unions. The
tween 100000 and 100000 persons
Lack Revolutionary Unity.
Revolutionists consider that if their
organizations were TO unite they
could in a moment OF great popular
excitement succeed in carrying out
communist revolution. but thus far
they have lacked both unity and the
exciting moment. How to get these
is a subject which doubtless will be
discussed in Moscow.
Premier Nitu has been able by
means of food price control. industrial
Insurance laws, friendly policy to-
ward Russia and other wise conces-
sions to allay the discomfort caused
BY the ever-increasing prices. Thus
hacking any obvious government OPP
preston to fight. the revolutionists
have taken to hghting each other.
For example. ave plans are urged for
the establi shment OF soviets. politi-
cally and economically. One of these.
the so-called Turin movement, was
exploded too soon and caused a gen.
eraI strike in Piedmont which failed.
further increasing the socialist dis
sension and depression.
Meanwhile Premier Mtti very quiz
etly has been charging and CONSOLE
dating the federal police army. Under
Joint civil and military control. this
force has handled the labor disturb
ances without provocation or needless
brutality.