New-York tribune., 1912-03-07
BRITISH COAL DEADLOCK |
Attitude on Both Sides Unmodl-
fled After Many Conferences.
PREMIER HARD AT WORK
Passes Three Hours in Conclave
. with Miners Delegates-ln-
dustrial Paralysis Grows.

London. March 6.-Orlcal statements Is
| sued this evening concerning the numerous
conferences held to-day in connection Win
the coal strike we're devoid of Information
as 10 the results. II any. achieved Ine
negotiations were renewed this morning
with hopes that speedy settlement would
be reached, but nothing has been discioseo
| indicating progress in that direction As
| a result rumors are abundant. but all ap-
psrently are founded on surmise
The miners representatives conferred
with the Premier and hts colleagues for
nearly three hours The official report IS
sued after the end OF the conference mere
| ly stated that at Mr. Asquith's request
they promised to attend further confer
ences. III desired" From this il is de-
duced that the Premier has not yet aban-
doned hone of finding q basis for agreo-
ment between the disputants. 1t is said
that the miners in conference adhered
steadfastly TO their previous declarations
that they would not consent to any settle
ment which did not assure the adoption
OF their own schedule OF minimum rates
The continued meetings Of the disputants
are interpreted as indicating growing de-
sire of both parties to find way out OF
the difficulty. There IS an increasing be
lief that the executive committee OF the
Miners Federation received a wider man
date from the men during the week end
empow ering il to negotiate with the gov
ernment on the subject of the minimum
wage schedule ANY relaxation Of the rigid
ity of the miners demands would offer a
hopeful basis for a speedy agreement.
Pressure from the trades unions OF
many industries. especially the railways
and the cotton trade, whose funds are
threatened with serious depletion owing
to loss of employment through the coal
strike, seems likely TO play an infiuenual
part toward a settlement Of the strike.
To-day for the first time James Ramsay
Macdonald and other Parliamentary labor
leaders came into the negotiations, sup
posedly I'm behalf Of the affected unions.
and IT is announced on good authority
that the Miners Federation had yielded
so far as to permit long discussion with
the members of the Government OF the
minimum wage schedule. with view to
finding a basis OF compromise
II this difficulty can be surmounted 1t
is not expected that there will he much
further opposition to a settlement even
from tile w ciS0 IllIt
A high official Of the Miners Federation
said tonight that settlement this week
was impossible, but he was hopeful that
il might be effected next week.
Some four hundred oxford undergrad
yates have organized Themselves into
volunteer body TO work in the mines or
to assist by any available means In the
crisis
The miners are greatly heartened by tho
news dispatches from all parts Of the world
expressing sympathy for them In their
struggle From Alberta and British Column
bia come reports that the coal men there
are talking OF going on strike
In the House Of Commons the Prime Min
ister characterized az purely imaginary the
newspaper reports that he would introduce
a minimum wage bill to-day.
The Archbishop OF Canterbury appealed
in special prayers for termination OF the
strike Meanwhile the miners continue 10
be masters OF the situation. Industrial
paralysis is fast spreading over the country
Berlin. March 6.-Thc Prussian govern
ment has ordered detachment of four
hundred rural police TO the Essen coal dis
trict as tbs first measure OF precauuon IN
the event Of a strike.
The leaders Of the miners are practically
unanimous in believing that now Is the best
time for q strike. There Is not much OF
reserve supply OF coal on hand. and with
the British mines tied up and the French
operators refusing to export coal. 1t Is be-
lieved that the miners would obtain their
demands within a brief period
Tie men demand shorter hours more
wages and recognition of the union.
Cbristiania March 6-Owing TO the
British coal strike the steamship services
from, Christiania, Bergen and Tromso have
been partly suspended Freight rates have
been increased.
Marseilles, March 6.-The French Line
announces that its steamships VIII ne
placed under reduced speed until further
notice. 'The British coal strike obllges
10 aronnr,iZe in coal.