COMMUNIST EX-SOLDIERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18599, 29 December 1920, Page 6

COMMUNIST EX-SOLDIERS.

MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. “ The Times ” Service. LONDON, December 27. The special correspondent of “ The Times,” declaring that Communism is raising its head amongst the 'jnemploved in Britain, says that the Communist Societies have followed up Moscow’s dictum that the faithful must earn their fitness for affiliation by undertaking revolutionary propaganda ill the Army. He s*iyS fcli&fc th© British Army has lately been fully recruited from a magnificent stream of sturdy ex-soldiers. The _ Communist Societies, whose membership is now UOOO. draw attention to the fact that demobilised men are making a great effort <o capture their organisations. The principal association, the National Union of ex-Soldiers, popularly called “Nux,” seems at present to be largely in Communist hands. It teaches the convention of Marxism, and hasjdrawn up a long programme demanding the national ownership of land and capital, and the popular control of industry. Many agitators, and even conscientious objectors, have secured affiliation with the union as associates, and are leading such movements as the seizure of houses, baths and halls. The correspondent does not- comment on this, but points out that the union has 480 branches and ail estimated membership of 100,000.