New-York tribune., 1921-01-28
General Strike
Threatened bv
British Labor
of 500 Trades Union
Congress Delegates De-
mand Swift Action as
Bludgeon to Government
Renew SweepingD Demands
Five Million Workers Insist
on Relief to, l,5OO,O 900
Unemployed Mem b ers
By Arthur S. Draper

From The Trbume's European Bureau
Copyright, 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Jan. 27.-Direct action IN
the form of swift general strike to
be used as bludgeon to force the
government to adopt labor's plans for
a solution of the unemployment situa-
ton was advocated to-day by many of
the delegates at the national confer
cnce of the Trades Union Congress and
the Labor party. There were 800 dele
gates in attendance, representing 81
100000 workers, and, while the more
conservative elements prevailed, the
fact THAT strong radical group favors
direct action is evidence of the serious
situation in the country. where there
are 1,500 900 unemployed, according to
the speakers.
The meeting unanimously affirmed the
resolutions adopted at the conference
of December 20, which declared that
the unemployment conditions were
resume trade with Russia and the mid
die Europe countries, and demanded an
immediate weekly unemployment main
tenance of two pounds to each unem-
ployed householder, Is shillings for
each other man and woman and also
sum for their dependents.
Would Foster German Trade
The resolutions also insisted that
peace terms be made to promote the
economic life of the country's former
enemies and to stabilize exchange, that
the military adventures" in Mesopo-
tamia be ended and that the govern
ment cease its policy Of military re-
preston and lawless reprisals in Ire
land.
A demand was made for the govern
ment to carry out the provisions of
the 1918 education act, which is now
provements by the government in or
der to provide employment was asked.
The present policy of doling out relief
was called wasteful, extravagant and
demoraliZing.
The resolutions embodying the de-
mands will be presented to the govern
ment at once, and if there is no i'm
mediate result they will be brought
up in the House of Commons by the
Labor representatives. Another meet
ing has been called for February %.
Emphasize Russian Trade
In the mean time the labor leaders
will decide if further steps are neces-
sary to secure the adoption of the
recommendations This is taken as a
threat of direct action to enforce
labor's demand on the main point,
which appears to be the question of
trade with Russia and middle Europe.
Considerable unrest was displayed at
the meeting. Many women delegates
we're present. One of these declared
that they should avoid violence if pos
sible in order to win public sympathy.
The conservative labor leaders of the
type of J. II. Thomas, M. P, who urged
the gaining of their ends by constitu-
tional methods, had the support of the
meeting, but the turbulent minority
was vigorous in its applause of the
younger hotheads, who attacked the
old leaders for not leading a general
strike. Amid wild applause they de-
manded extra constitutional" methods
and the calling Of the general strike.
Several thousand unemployed this
afternoon marched through the streets
and past the hall where the labor con-
ference was in progress, with bands
playing and banners flying.