 The position that the general strike could be used , but only as a last resort , became dominant in the party during the mass strike debate . This caused much concern among the conservatives in the party , especially among many trade unionists . At a meeting in February 1906 , the trade unionists were placated by party leaders , who said they would attempt to prevent a general strike at all costs . The FVdG reacted by publishing the secret protocols from the meeting in Die Einigkeit , greatly angering the party leadership . 
