The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-24
Are Subject to Furious Prosecutions
by Wholesale Arrests.

WASHINGTON April 23-Russian
Industrial workers are living through
an unexampled tragedy" according to
n report made to the International
Metal Workers Federation by repre-
sentatives OF the Menshevist organ
izations OF metal workers in Soviet
Russia, which was made public here
today by the American Federation OF
Labor
This report, which was translated
and sent TO this country for the infor-
nation OF American workmen by the
Grafton. at Berne. Switzerland. de-
scribed at length alleged furious per-
secution" of organized labor In Russia
by the Bolshevist authorities.
/. b. Strumillo, member of the Board
OF the Perm Metal Workers. Union.
who with l. G. Oopovaloff, president
OF the Metal Workers Union in Vod-
kinski (UraD, compiled the document,
is now in the United States as dele
gate from his union. commissioned 10
inform the organized workers of this
country as 10 conditions under the So
Wet regime in Russia.
THE coup detat of November. 1917.
put the Bolshevists in power said
the document. "and from that time on
the terrible fratricidal struggle con-
tinued. Those very men who only
yesterday called themselves the
friends OF the workers, now began the
furious Rsysecution Of those workers
by Wholesale arrests, atrocities and
murder. indicted by demagogism, call
umnies and lies.
Under the camouflage of commun-
ism, acting in the name OF the Work
Ing CLASSES, using the language and
battle-crics OF Socialism. the commun-
list government commenced its work OF
destruction. In order to clear their
own way the communists declared
that freedom OF speech. unions. strikes
and meetings was superstition OF
the bourgeoisie' and condemned al
VINO demanded political rights as
counter evolutionists. Many com
rades persisted In prison, were sem
fenced 10 hard labor or even shot, for
the crimes of asking for freedom"
The Russian workman, the report
added. are forced to suffer under these
conditions because they are obliged
TO remain silent. as they are disbe-
licved when they speak against those
whofaliaciously and insolenty call
themselves the representatives of the
people. and who are so afraid of the
workers that, In practice. they have
abolished the right of voting and of
free speech"
THE whole policy OF the common
ist soviet government towards the
Russian working CLASSES and their or
ganizations." declared the document
"can be summed up as follows:
THE freedom of the unions Is abol-
ished. The unions are established
and work under the control Of the
soviet authorities: and can only act IN
the way prescribed by the soviet au-
thorities.
Freedom OF meetings II abolished
The unions are established and work
under the control OF the soviet author
tiles: and can only act in the way
prescribed by the soviet authorities.
Freedom OF meetings is abolished
A decree has been issued in accord
ancc with which meetings can only be
arranged by permission Of the Soviet
authorities.
Freedom of speech is abolished. II
is a crime 10 utter WORT against the
communists.
"Strikes are declared counter-revol-
utionary acts. Workmen who go on
strike are punished wit ha brutality