The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-08
aHRMANYas MINERS.

The Men Driven to Desperation by
Starvation Wages
.(copgriahfed 6v Inc Nsy York hssoefated Press J
= III ANS, Dec. s.-1fhe fniAeFw strike, I'M
volving, as it does now, the whole field Of
mining operations in Westphalia, coupled
with the attitude of the Rsichstag towards
the socialist bill, threatens to embarrass
the government uery seriously. A motion
TO repeal the law exacting from working
men certificates from their last employers,
provoked in the bouse significant debate.
Herr WIndthorst warned the members tnat
the feeling of the country was with tho
miners, and that their claims were recog-
nized as just; and that il the law did
not interfere to protect them from the
tyranny Of the companies the men would
certainly be driven to the last extremity of
starvation and despair; that disorders
would follow, and for such disorders the
government would be responsible
Herr Baumach (progressisD declared the
situation to be the gravest crisis ever
that the Reichstag would intervene in
their favor.
DEFENDER OF THE EMPLOYERS.
Deputy Hammacher, national liberal, de-
Tended the employers, and denied that men
were dismissed and refused work for taking
part in the great spring strike. He said
only those were discharged who were sus-
pected OF fomenting discontent. These
measures were necessary to preserve dis
cipline.
His defense operated contrary to its in
tention and confirmed the ajority in favor
Of some intervention for the protection of
workmen.
The employers now refuse even TO nego-
tiate with the delegates sent TO them on
behalf Of the men. Miner Boetticher,
after q conference with Herr Furth,
n socialist deputy, sent dispatches to
the emperor and Prince Bismarck recon-
mending that an imperial proclamation
providing for a commission to arbltrate the
differences be i'm nediatey issued. The
a .itation and ferment in the mems minds
exceeds all experience in the districts Of
Bochum, Dortmund, Gelsen, Kircnen,
Hammache and Stolzel. A deputy from
Essen has gone to that place to try concilia-
ton.
TROOPS HELD IN READINESS.
Troops are held In readiness to guard
against and suppress any resort to violence.
The mas ers have relied upon the INSULT
cient funds and inadequate resources Of the
men in their hope TO defeat the strike, but
they find themselves mistaken. If a general
strike is proclaimed tomorrow, supplies in
money and provisions will pour in upon the
committee every day.
The men in the treasury coal mines in the
Saar district have forwarded petit
ton to the emperor appealing for
help. They declare their loyalty and
patriotism, and say that even
unmarried men cannot live on tbs present
wages. They dely that politics or
religion are related in any way as causes OF
their discomfort, and say that thelmfners, II
dismissed, must emigrate or starye. Their
last hope is that Emperor William will
establish court to arbitrate the differ
eaces.
REDRESS URGED.
ESSEN, Dec. 1.-THE managing commit
tee representing the owners of the col
Iieries now involved in the dispute with
their men, has resolved, TO advise redress of
the grievances of which the men complain.
The strike that has been impending ig
therefore, probably averted. The govern
ment agent, who was present at the same
meeting, announced that II the men should.
under these conditions, persist IN striking
they would ALLEVIATE the sympathies OF the
government.