Page:Scott Nearing - World Labor Unity (1926).pdf/23

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they can by joint means to bring about international unity. The need and importance of international unity is recognised by millions of organised workers throughout the world. Their co-operation in the task of removing racial prejudices, artificial barriers, and economic obstructions to their joint development is assured. Knowing that unity brings power we are convinced that the workers of all countries joining hands across the frontiers, will work together to secure their emancipation.

"The mottoes to be inscribed on our international banner must continue to be the following:

"WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!"

"LONG LIVE A WORLD-WIDE FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS!"[1]

This agreement was unanimously adopted by both the British and Russian delegations, It was endorsed by the General Council of the British Trades Union Congress on April 21, 1925, and by the All-Russian Trade Union Council at its meeting April 30–May 8, 1925.

XII. Moscow Continues Negotiations

During the course of the negotiations at the London Unity Conference the British delegation had proposed that the British Trades Union Council should submit to the I.F.T.U. two alternative courses of action: (1) "That the Bureau of the I.F.T.U. call an immediate conference with the All-Russian Council of Trade Unions for the purpose of considering the position arising" from the Amsterdam meeting. This failing, (2) "The British Trades Union Congress General Council will undertake to convene a conference and endeavor to promote International Unity by using its mediatory influence as between the Russian Trade Union Movement and the Amsterdam Bureau." In doing this, the British will be "inspired by a full appreciation of existing difficulties and a desire to create a united industrial International organisation capable of efficiently representing the International interests of the workers."

By way of fulfilling their part in this understanding, as soon as the findings of the London Unity Conference had been endorsed Tomsky, President, and Dogadov, Secretary of the All-Russian Council addressed to the General Council of the Amsterdam International a communication, in part as follows:

"We would once more inform you, comrades, that we are in favor of a single International of Trade Union Federations.


  1. Labour Monthly, May, 1925, p. 304 ff.

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