The Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1920. A RADICAL ROUND-UP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19847, 16 January 1920, Page 4

The Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1920. A RADICAL ROUND-UP.

Recent cable messages from the United States informed the world of one of file greatest raids on 11 radicals” that the country had ever known. The object was to secure tho deportation of the most dangerous anarchists and agitators in over fifty cities, on charges of attempting the overthrow of the Government by violence. It is hardly necessary to explain that the American definition of a ’’ radical ” docs nut conform to our own. A British Radical is regarded as an advanced political thinker, who.-'e fundamental object is to secure even-handed political justice for all hy constitutional action. The American ‘'radical” is the prototype of llio Bolshevik, whose objectin' is to sacuro a social revolution hy violence and direct action. It is claimed ilia: the police offensive - against the radicals was launched just in lime, to prevent the fusion uHsevcral groups under one. leadership preparatory to an attempt at revolnion. Nearly six thousand ai rests were made, and it was anticipated that two thousand would prove legitimate subjects for deportation. It was found that sailors had been engaged as secret messengers to convoy correspondence between the American Reds and the Soviets in Russia, and that there were two. Column 11 ist parties which were seeking to sovietisc the United States. It was common property that the radicals had proclaimed a new policy, which would give the entire weight of (he socialist organisation to every industrial disturbance, every strike, and every agitation. It sought it possible to control labour organisations through radical elements insido the Federation of Labour, but it was never to lot agitation subside until the industrial revolution had been achieved. The Federation of Labour was to be converted into an organisation pledged body and soul to the principle of Bolshevism. John Reed, who is described as the arcn-Bolshovist ol tho States, put thematter very clearly' at a Socialist convention in Chicago. The time had come, lie said, when the whole strategy of socialists must change; instead of running about in circle?,, as they had been doing, Socialists must hold themselves in reserve to make a strike whenever friction and unrest showed iiscit between capital and labour. Reed was thrown out of the Socialist party at the time, but ho organised the communist labour party, which soon assumed an ascendancy among the Socialists. The great steel strike was the first notable trial of strength between the radicals and the moderates of the Labour party, nud it was forced on by the radicals in spite of tho fact ‘that President AVilEOll had called an industrial conference to meet at the ‘White House. Whether tho tide of red radicalism will bo stemmed hy deporting the more prominent of the agitators in anarchist arks to more hospitable shores is doubtful, but the. Americans at least have r.o qualms. The refusal of the New York Legislature to allow Socialist members to take their scats probably arises out of tho campaigti against the radicals, with whom the Socialists are in league. It would ho an extraordinary thing, however, if a. legislative body could successfully debar members who have, been constitutionally elected, and it is not likely that the State Legislature will be able to vindicate its position.