New-York tribune., 1912-03-02


bear the burden of prolonged warfare
London. March Premier Asquith TO-
dsy invited the miners executive commit
tee 20 meet the coal owners, but the men
declined. saying that they had nothing to
discuss They had. they said. placed their
schedule Of minimum rates on the table and
would maintain that position until other
wise instructed by the miners.
TIE miners delegates are now returning
10 their respective districts, and will sub
nit the whole position in the coal dispute
10 their constituents az weekend meetings
and ask instructions from them how to deal
with the new proposals of the government.
Even should the men approve Of the sub
mission Of the schedule Of minimum rates
Of wages 70 discussion. ss proposed by the
government. the strike could not be ar
rested in less than week and probably
IL may last another fortnight.
The shortage OF coal hay already had dis
astrous consequences on commerce. Fac
tories are shutting down in all directions.
railroads are taking of some Of their trains
and steamers are being laid IN The large
transatlartio liners. however assert they
are well provided with coal
An ofaclal return issued this morning
estimates the number Of strikers who have
already laid down their tools as 1o4s.4o7.
In Scotland alone one hundred thousand
ironwo7kers vii be idle tomorrow as
jesuit OF the strike The cotton manu-
facture-s n Northeast Lancashire nave coal
enough 10 k5ep them going for another
fortnight.
The miners e"erywhe-e arc quitting work
n the best holiday humor. and there is no
disposition anywhere toward riotng
The deadlock. which affects more than
q million miners. Is complete. All of to-
days conferences Tere futile. and attempts
70 reconcile the opposing forces were sus-
pended until Monday. when both the coal
owners and tho miners will see Premier
Ascuith again. Should Il then be evident
shat The extremists refuse 70 abate their
rigid demands legislative action will be
swift
Premier As4uith in the House OF Com
mons this evening said that the coal
owners in practically the whole Of England
and in the North Of Wales had accepted
the proposal OF the government, that in
South Wales and In Scotland the owners
had declined the proposition. and that the
miners have rejected IL because they were
unwilling 10 submit the rates for mini
mum wage TO any form of revision.
In these circumstances. II was felt by
the government that no useful purpose
would be served at the present moment by
continuing the conferences. The Premier
hoped 70 be able 20 make a further state
mtnt 10 the House on Monday.
With the exception of few small col
heries situated In isolated districts all the
cosl mines Of the country are idle to-day.
IN some Of those places where work Is stH
going on. notably in Warwickshire, where
ten thousand men are employed, the miners
will Join the strikers on March 2.
The Miners Federation resumed us con-
ferences this morning, and one OF the
members expressed the opinion that the
negotia'ions with the owners would be sue
cessfuly terminated IN the course OF next
week
Public opinion generally indorses the
governments decision 10 pass minimum
wages bill unless the remainder OK the
owners agree to that principle. which has
already been consented 10 BY more thah
per cent Of the employers
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