COMMUNISTS CALL FOR NATIONWIDE STRIKE.

The Presidium of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party appealed yesterday to “all those who hold the fate of the Motherland dear” to prepare for a nationwide strike to demand “a change of political course, the resignation of the president and the formation of a government of popular trust.” (Itar-Tass, August 5)

Russia’s trade union federation has already announced plans for a nationwide day of protest in the fall and set October 7 as the provisional date, to be confirmed later this month. (Russian agencies, July 16) The unions’ main demands are not political: they focus on wage arrears and falling living standards. Last year, the unions expressed considerable annoyance at attempts by the Communist Party to muscle in on and politicize the day of protest that the unions had organized. It looks as if the same thing is about happen again this year.

WOMEN’S PARTY TO BE SET UP IN RUSSIA.