Mr. J. H. Thomas, in moving a resolution in favour
of the " Council of Action," explained that the trade unions transferred their executive responsibility, " if need be," to the " Council," and " clearly determined, if the circumstances warranted, Direct Action on the part of the whole movement." " Only desperate and dangerous methods " could avert war to-day, when the situation was desperate. Giving effect to the resolution meant, he said, not a mere strike, but " a challenge to the whole Constitution of the country." " He did not believe the over- whelming mass of the country desired that," but the " Council " would take the risks. He hoped that the Conference " would not make the mistake of interfering with France." The Conference instructed the " Council " to secure " an absolute guarantee " that we should not support Poland . or General Wrangel, and that we should recognize the Bolshevik despotism. The " Council " was " authorized " to declare strikes in support of its threats. Mr. T. Shaw, while still professing a dislike of Bolshevism, supported the resolution. Mr. Smillie threatened that he would stop the export of coal to France if the French people did not adopt his Russian policy.
Previous page
