The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-09
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
on BRITISH STRIKE
Mine Workers Propose Calling II
-Asquith Likely to
Preside.
ADMIRALTY SHORT OF COAL
Unions Yielding to Pressure From Other
Trades-Prussia on the Brink
OF Trouble.

Special wirtisss and cable Dispatches 10 THE sun.
LONDON. March S.--The Cabinet held n
meeting in regard to the coal strike this
afternoon and afterward invited both
sides to joint conference The miners
submitted a proposal for a national con
ference on condition that the principle
| OF the minimum wage he excluded from
the discussions of this body. The pro-
posal was that the national conference
be summoned to meet on March II
The proposal does not mean that there
will be a joint conference, but the reoom-
mendation coming from the miners
xecutive is bound to have considerable
weight with the delegates to the Miners
Federation. especially in view Of the ex-
clusion OF any discussion OF the mini
mum wage
II may be taken for granted that the
conference will materialize and Prime
Minister Asquith will probably preside
over it, The Cabinet also discussed he
discontinuance Of train and boat services
at many places.
The Premier was present this afternoon
at a luncheon i'm Covent Garden in cele-
bration of the passing OF the Parliament
bill. Mr.. Asquith in speech reiterated
the hope that the coal strike would be
settled by an agreement which would be
honorable to both sides. Before the
luncheon the building was searched for
suffragettes. but none was found. Dur
ing The luncheon the doors were locked.
Delegates TO the Miners Federation
convention will meet here next Tuesday
and il was reported to-day that the strikers
might modify their demand for mini
mum wage scale. The widespread effect
of the strike upon the other labor unions
whose members are out of work because
| Of lack of coal to run the plants in which
they are employed will he thoroughly
discussed.
II WIS said to-day that a considerable
element of the miners unions favored
making concessions to the operators
to end the strike. In North Wales num-
bcr OF strikers renewed negotiations
with the operators to-day
The Admiralty sent orders to- day 10
all commanders at dock yards TO econo-
mize to the utmost extent in the use OF
coal. The fuel is only to be used where
absolutely necessary. as il is impossible
to replenish the supply.
BERIIH, March s.--The miners trade
tIt Slesihu Codi HelDs III cdSleIT
Prussia presented demand TO the EN-.
ployers to-day for IS per cent increase
in the wages of the miners.
1t was the general opinion to-day that
the efforts OF the Government to settle
the dispute in the West phalian coal dis
trrct would fail and that half OF the miners
in the district would strike on Monday.
Non-unionist rnen are being employed
TO take the places Of the men who threaten
| 10 quit work.
The miners in the district number
.oo0 and 10000 of these have made il
known that they will declare "A strike
Others undoubtedly will join them.
BARCELONA. March s-This city's coal
stock amounts To a?o, 100 tons, which is
sufficient for twenty-five days. II the
British strike should extend beyond that
date the city will he without sufficient
fuel to supply the needs of the people.