The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-28
The Movement Causes CONSERVATION in the
British Capital and Many Meetings Are.
Held 10 Discuss the Situation.
An African Throne to Be Had Cheap by
Applying 10 King Leopoldof Belgium.
He Is Ready to Abdicate His Sovereignty of
the Congo Free Siate-Advanced Liberals
Of Canada Declare for Independence.



Over 10000 Men in the London Strike
Flank Movement of the Ship Owners
speciai 70 the Indianapolis journal
LONDON, Aug. 27.-The vesscl-owners held
a meeting this morning, and appointed q
committee to wait on Mr.. Matthews. the
Home Secretary, to inquire If the govern
ment was prepared to give them protection
in case they undertook to bring men here
from other points to load and unload the
ships now at this port. Mr.. Matthews as
sured the members of the committee that
they should receive ample protection. but
when asked TO advise. declined to exress an
opinion as to the wisdom of the course they
proposed. He pointed out to them. how
ever, the grave consequences which were
almost certain to result from an attempt at
this time to ill the places of the strikers
with foreigners. and suggested that they do
nothing rashly. The committee reported
this afternoon at O Joint meeting of the
ship-owners and the dock companies. The
conference was strictly private and report
ers were excluded. 1t was learned this
evening. however that decision WAS
reached not to make the attempt to handle
the freight with the new men that have
been engaged. A. large steamer is on the
way to London now from Hamburg, and
another from Antwerp. with men who have
been hired at those ports to take the places
of the striking dock-laborers. Orders will
be sent to land these men at neighboring
ports and on no account TO bring them 10
London. A plan was proposed at the meet
ing, and very fayorably received, to grad
ually send the vessels now lying here
to the nearest ports to be loaded and
unloaded and ship their cargoes to and
from London by rail, Nearly 5000 laborers.
who have been hired at foreign ports and
yhNo al hs.rn n laa
sent to these places to assist in loading and
discharging vessels. In this way it is hoped
to tide over the present difficulties and to
starve the strikers into submission, with
violence. by bringing men here TO take
their places. No definite action was taken
to-day. but it is quite likely this plan will
be adopted at the adjourned meeting to-
steamers now lying HELPLESS here Will be
dispatched at once to Dover. Portsmouth,
Southampton. Hull, and even as far as
Newcastle, where their cargoes will be un-
loaded and shipped to London by rail.
The leaders of the striking labOrers laugh
at this attempt at flank movement. They
saw the enormous cost of such a proceeding
would alone condemn 1t to failure, but
apart from this if the attempt is seriously
made, they could effectually checkmate the
ship-owners By ordering out the freight
handlers at the London termini of the rail
roads. who. they say. are even now anxious
grows more serious Ships are being un-
loaded at Chatham ana southampton with
out interference. The Lord Mayor has re-
fused to become arbitrator of the differ
ences between the men and their employ
ers. fearing lest it might conflict with his
judicial duties. The strikers now number
10000 The coal operators at important
centers are joining the strikers Two hun
docks awaiting cargoes. Riverside fac
tories employing thousands of hands are
closing for lack of coal.
The printers employed by the firms of
Waterlow & Son have struck. One hun
dred Thousand striking dock laborers
marched in procession to-day. They were
orderly. Coal men in thousands have
no sign of Improvement. Meetings of en-
ployers and workmen continue TO be held,
but without result. The directors of the
Commercial Dock Company declined the
houses of the twelve different trades to sub
nit to arbitration the grievances of the
workmen. The London Chamber of Com
merce urges the dock managers to agree to
of Commons, in an interview with the
to them to concede the mems
demands. The directors promised to con
slider the matter. There are few vessels
unloading in the Midway. to which the
strike has not yet extended. The Salya-
tion Army, the London Cottage Mission
and similar bodies are materially assisting
and lodging. The coal porters have reject
ed ali offer from the London Dock Com
pany of a shilling an hour, dinner and beer,
and protection from the strikers.
A Keynote showing the Importance OF the
movement was struck by Mr. Burns at
meeting tonight. He pronounced the
strike the stepping-stone TO greater and
nobler movement of workingmen through
out the country. The present struggle
would teach lesson Of union. When con-
cluded he would commence his work in
the East End.
To-day the drivers Of the government
mail carts demanded an advance in wages,
which the postoftce authorities granted.
The strikes were to-day made the subject
of a question addressed to the Home Secre-
tary, in the House Of Commons, as to the
measures taken for the presentation of or
der and the prevention of violence and in
timidation. Mr.. Matthews replied that he
was not prepared to admit that there ex-
listed any organized intimidation, although
here, and there isolated instances were
TO be met with. There was certainly
nothing at this time TO justify the inter-
ferance of the police. He hoped that both
sides would endeavor to adjust their differ
anees amicably, and that the present
ruinous state of things could be ended.
The London Chamber of Commerce held
q special meeting to-day, called for the pur-
pose OF taking some action with reference
to the disastrous condition OF things
brought about by the existing strikes.
The meeting was very largely attended.
representative men from all branches of
trade and industry being present. Speeches
were made, bitterly denouncing the dock
companies for their action. and resolutions
were passed urging them to agree 10 arbi-
tration. A committee of prominent busi-
ness men was appointed to wait on the off,
cials Of the company to present the resolu-
tions and they were instructed TO use their
best efforts to prevail upon the dock COM
panies to end the strike.