250 ARRESTS IN CHILE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27861, 9 January 1956, Page 9

250 ARRESTS IN CHILE

General Strike Threat (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) SANTIAGO (Chile),.January 7. At least 250 persons were under arrest today as the Chilean Government led by President Carlos Ibanez continued a determined campaign to avert a threatened nation-wide work stoppage. A Government spokesman declared that there were signs of international communism which sought to incite the nation. Those arrested included union leaders, opposition politicians, newspapermen. and some former associates of Mr Ibanez. The arrests were made in many cities throughout Chile. The Government asserted that many of those taken into custody were Communist or pro-Communist. Action was taken under a state of siege decreed on Thursday night by Mr Ibanez. Chile’s big central labour union (C.U.T.) called a nation-wide strike for Monday in opposition to a Government proposal to freeze wages, prices and pensions in an effort to curtail inflation. The Government said such a plan’ was necessary to save the nation’s economy, but union leaders and opposition political groups said it would cause hunger throughout the country. Mr Baudillo Casanova, secretarygeneral of the C.U.T., declared last night that the strike would begin as scheduled and would continue indefinitely. He issued his statement from a secret hide-out. The president of the union, Mr Clolario Best, and other union officials were among those arrested. Government Broadcast The Interior Minister, Mr Benjamin Videla, said in a broadcast that the general strike call constituted an attempt against public order and the nation’s security. He declared that there were signs of international communism in the C.U.T. that sought to incite the nation. International communism felt real concern over the Government s economic plan, Mr Videla said, and sought to combat it by creating a climate to deepen social agitation. Mr Ibanez directed congress to reconvene on January 11 when he will seek final approval of his “freeze” programme. Four regiments of Army troops and 500 Navy men were brought to Santiago from the provinces, increasing, the capital’s military strength to 30.000 Tanks stood guard at the Government Palace. Streets were patrolled by police squads throughout the night. Strikes and soaring inflation have plagued Chile for 15 years, and Mr Ibanez has been confronted with frequent demands for wage increases. Strikes Settled in Mines The 24-day copper strike ended today with an agreement signed on behalf of 5500 employees and the Kennecott Company. The agreement calls for. a discussion of wage increases after the resumption of work. Strikers at other Chilean mines settled their dispute earlier in the week.

The original cause of the walk-out of 16,000 Chilean copper workers was their objection to a new labour statute which they considered harmful and illgeal. The Government agreed to seek modification of the statute.