New-York tribune., 1896-12-12

boycott In English ports against vessels which
have been loaded in Hamburg with ''backleg"
labor. The Council has already intimated to
English employers that strike will be ordered
II seamen or firemen on their ships are dis
charged for refusing 10 handle cargoes in Ham,
purg or Bremen When vessels which have
cleared from those ports with the help OF nom
union labor arrive in England. II is probable that
lockers here will attempt TO boycott them under
orders from the Council. This will be the nat
ural consequence If the International scheme of
operations be carried into practice. The success
or foreign strike which was aided and sup
ported IN this way would increase the prestige
OF the English labor leaders and render inter-
national combination a formidable menace to
European commerce.
BATTLE CLOUDED WITH DISASTER
Because the danger is so serious IT is probable
that the strike in Germany will end disastrousy
TO the labor union. The number Of strikers is
now estimated at 10000 men, About 10000 peo-
pie have been suddenly left dependent upon
strike relief funds at the beginning of winter:
and while the first payment has been promptly
made. the resources of the trades-unons are lin
tied. and the families of the strikers cannot he
supported for long period
The Berlin Trades Commission has warned
men who are out of employment not to go to
Hamburg and Bremen. but when uneXampled
order is maintained at those ports. with military
garrisons in reserve TO support the local police
workers have the assurance of personal safety
and are already swarming into those shipping
centres. Proposals for arbitration have been Of
fered. and it is possible that compromise may
be effected but ii is more probable that the bat
tie will be fought TO the end and that the inter-
ests of labor will finally he sacrificed through un-
wise leadership. followed by disaster The new
labor leaders in England are not likely to regain
their influence at home by their foreign cam
paignng as champions of the international
movement.
This is the first important strike in Germany
since the miners upxjsing in Westphalia. 1t has
been the boast Of Imperial administrators that
by the adoption of measures of State Socialism
like the varions schemes OF insurance against
accident and sickness. the power or trades
unions in Germany has been broken. and that
labor was essentially unorganiZed for self-de-
fence. The lockers uprising at critical stage
of the shipping trade. when ocean freights are
most active. and when every steamer and sailing
vessel is pressed into service. Is warning that
the resources of State Socialism for allaying the
discomfort and unrest of working people have
been exaggerated. What is probable is the en-
actment of imperial legislation for rendering ar
btration compulsory in such crises. The inter-
ests involved in the suspension and interruption
of commerce at the chief German ports are or
paramount Importance to the welfare OF me
Fatherland; and Imperial administrators ana
legislators will be likely TO forestall another
labor campaign by a compulsory system of con-
citation and settlement.
Whatever NAV be said respecting the lnterna-
tional scheme of labor campaigning. the dockers
Of Hamburg entitled to sympathy IN thelr
organized effort to obtain a full siXpence 1or an
hours work. II is low wage for arduous toil
In wintry weather Low as II is. II is hlgh III
comparison with the rates Of wages for similar
work in other European centres. In a dehate or
the Communal Council of Brussels yesterday. IL
was asserted that barcemen employed on ile
town canal were receiving two francs for day $
work Of fifteen hours. and resolution was
adopted for establishing three francs as Il rliII-
MN, wage for ten hours work The European
laborer ought to command public sympathy IN
every civilized country whenever he rises IN sei-
defence against starvation wages. ne Pa,h"s
~ his LOT with his meagre pittance for long
DAYS work ought to be a warning To American
legislators TO protect labor in their own country
against similar degradation. l. ~ l.