On Tuesday the " Council of Action " tried to
minimize the wild threats which its members uttered last year. It announced that it would not call a general strike, but would organize partial strikes, if necessary, to prevent troops, munitions and supplies from being sent to the relief of Poland. Of course, this would be just as much Direct Action as a general strike. The " Council " also warned the local " councils " which are being formed that they must not " usurp the powers of trade union executives, especially so far as the withdrawal of labour is concerned." The central " Soviet " means, if it can, to keep a tight hand over the local " Soviets " which are merely to_act as " centres of information." The moderate men for the moment, therefore, seem to be in control of the " Council of Action." But Mr. Smillie and the extremists, having induced men like Mr. Clynes and Mr. Thomas to commit themselves to revolutionary courses, are merely biding their time.
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