The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-05

| emphasizes their opinion that the con-
| ditions the employers are resolved to
| exact strike at the very root of the
! most cherished principles of trades
unionism In conclusion, it says:
Nothing but the sense Of the suffer-
| ings and sacrifices which the quarrel
! has already imposed on our fellow
laborers could have induced us to sub
nit proposals of such a humiliating
character, for consideration"
The above is an admission OF the fact
already known that the strikers are
reduced to a pitiful plight. Briefly the
employers propositions acknowledged
the workmen's freedom to Join unions,
| but they won't promise not to give
preference to non unionists and they
claim complete liberty to put men on
piece work, to work at machines and
To learn new methods. To the efficient
they guarantee wages equal to the
current rate; but the employees will not
guarantee a standard rate. Efficiency
is to be decided by the employers who
may engage non-efficients at lower
wages. In addition they insist upon
the right to employ as many appren-
tices as they please. The all-pervad-
inS idea is to substitute individual bar
gaining for the collective principles Of
the unions. The ballots of the unions
are returnable on December 13, but the
general opinion is that the employers
conditions will be rejected overwhelm-
ingly, in which case, it is almost need
less to point out distress is confront
ing hundreds Of thousands this winter
which promises to be unusually severe.
The whole aspect of the industrial
world here is most depressing In ad-
dtion TO the engineering troubles the
Amalgamated Society Of Railway serv-
ants has issued strike notices to 120,-
600 Of it's members and the cotton in
dustry Is also threatened with paral-
ysis The contending factions are
adamant; the men utterly refuse 70
arbtrate.
The army bill takes precedence over
all others in the coming session Of the
British parliament, and the govern
meut is preparing 70 force the measure
through before Easter. The increased
amounts required will possibly exceed
any budget surplus which may exist
but there will be no objection even
upon the part Of the 'little England
ers." The question Of raising a larger
army for Great Britain is the topic OF
the hour, and even the bogey Of the
possibility Of an invasion has been
raised All the Conservative and
many Of the Liberal speeches are large
ly devoted to sketchlng the possible
combinations Of the powers against
vincing the public Of the necessity Of
militaTism.
Senator Arthur B. FarnwOod, Bart,
Conservative member of parliament
for the Southwest division of Lanca-
shire, In a speech at Liverpool Thurs
day, in discussing Great Britains fric-
tions and the attitude Of the other
powers toward Great Britain. spoke Of
the foreign policy of the United States
as being difficult 70 forecast Speaking
broadly, he explained the United
States would be slow TO draw the
sword in any quarrel excepting with
herself; but at the same time he added.
Her domestic and political divisions
are so keen, her politicians are so uc-
scrupulous as to the means they use
to injure their opponents. and their
press is so sensational and effective.
that any day the United States might
unwittingly and without real intent be
found in conflict with some other
power.
'At the bottom of American hearts
there is regard for England; but their
regards are so overloaded with old
prejudices that we could not with rea-
sonabe certainty calculate on which
side of an issue the great American
republic might stand"