The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

The general strike OF the telegraphers.
telephone operators, and postmen IN the
employ OF the French government, which
was begun on the 18th, was called on on
Wednesday last. after having brought
the government 20 complete surrender
on the questions ar issue. Even the con-
servative papers admit the tremendous
victory. the Temps saying: The strikers
separated after the meeting with shouts
OF victory. the right word for the situa-
ton II is impossible 20 dispute the com
plete triumph Of the strikers II was COM
planned that the government had done
nothing but make concessions ever since
it received the Chambers vote OF conf
dence on Friday" IN similar vein. the
Journal des Debats says that the pusilla-
nimity OF the ministry and Chamber OF
Deputies should cover such an event with
complete amnesty. without the pretense
OF repression. Is one OF the most aston
ishing scandals OF contemperaneous his
tory. II is an alarming symptom OF de-
composition. disorder. and anarchy"
The Socialist and Labor organs are cor
respondingIy jublant. and say labor
unions can be no longer denied. as il
has been shown that public servants
can use their organized power without
eXcesses. The Postal Union is expected
now TO join the General Federation of
Labor
The strike had been called of az a
meeting Wednesday. after a committee
had been received by Premier Clemen-
ceau and Minister OF Public Works Bar
thou. Through these officials the govern
ment had assented 10 the terms OF the
strikers. namely. that Under Secretary
Simyan be retired; that no emplOye be
dismissed on account OF the strike and
that hencef0rth the association should
be permitted 10 lay grievances directly
before the minister. Both Clemenceau
and BarthOu had met the committee In
a cOnciliatory spirit and had appealed to
them TO end the intelerable situation
Prior 10 this outcome. the employees az
the mint and in other departments OF
state workers. including the tobacco
and match monopolies. had voted 10
start & campaign in favor OF a general
strike n the government should refuse
satisfaction 10 the pOstmen. while the
railroad union congratulated the postal
employees on their victory. The effect OF
the strike IN nine days has been a nearly
complete paralysis OF the government and
commercial interchanges throughout
France. Soldiers had been summoned TO
Paris to assist IN handling the mail. but
their inexperience made their work OF
little value.
Just as the sun was due TO shine
through the war clouds which have hung
over the Balkan states for months, owing
TO the willingness Of Servia 10 submit
70 Austria terms suggested by Great
! Britain. France. and Italy. the sky be-
came overcast again on Wednesday when
Austria positively refused 10 be satisfied
with those terms Austria gave notice
that she would insist upon compliance
with her demands in detail. but consent
ed to give the government at Belgrade
until Saturday to decide Servia WAS
then advised by the powers 20 submit
! in the interest OF peace. At Vienna ac-
tive preparations for war were still in
progress.
] Premier Asquith announced in the Brit
/ ish House of Commons Wednesday that
the government had accepted gratefully
the offer OF New Zealand 10 pay the ex-
pense at once for one new battle ship OF
the Dreadnought type and later for an
other II necessary. At the same time the
British have been somewhat relieved by
The statement of the German naval min
/ istTy that only thirteen DreadnOughts
would be ready by 1872
( The Conservatives in the German Reich
stag announced Wednesday that they
would go ahead with their scheme OF
/ financial reform regardless OF how they
could get a majority This was taken 10
mean the end OF the bloc. or coalition.
composed of Conservatives. Liberals. and
Radicals on which the chancellor. Won
Buelow. has continued to hold power The
Conservatives will combine with the Cler-
! icals against taxation Of inheritances and
against other attacks upon wealth or the
wealthy class. The naval estimates went
through without discussion by the Social
lists, and this was taken 10 b. the answer
OF Germany 10 the British naval scare
The British House OF Commons on the
18th passed, on second reading. the bill
giving the ballot to all men and women
over twenty-One who have lived In one
constituency for three months Premier
Asquith then explained that the cabinet
was divided on the woman suffrage ques-
/ tion and asked that the bill be referred
! TO the committee on the whole which was
tantamount to tabling 1t. The report that
Sweden had passed a universal suffrage
! law proves to have been incorrect
The answer received by the American