New-York tribune., 1912-03-13
[By Cable to The Tribune.l

[By Cable TO The Tribune.1
London, March 13.-The coal owners
and the miners delegates met In round
table conference at the Foreign Once
yesterday and they will meet again to-
day.
At one time yesterday II was just pos
sible that there might be no meeting at
all. 1t was no secret that the Welsh
owners agreed to accept Premier AS
| quith's invitation only with the utmost
reluctance, and then only after 1t had
| been pointed out to them that refusal
| would put them hopelessly in the wrong.
Both parties are officially dumb as to
what transpired at the conference, but
inquiries elected a general opinion that
though much had been done to facilitate
a settlement. this could not be completed
without some form of legislation.
Friday will be the crucial day OF the
dispute.
According to The Daily News" the
coal conference yesterday appointed
subcommittee, representing both own
ers and miners, to consider the minimum
wage schedules, with a view to their
possible revision.
The sailings of the following steam
ships have been cancelled owing to the
strike: Oceanic, Majestic, Teutonic and
Merton.
London, March IA general discus
sion of the situation took place and the
conference adjourned at $50 p. m. until
| 1880 a. m. Tomorrow
This vas all the information divulged
| by the official statement concerning the
results OF the momentous conference at
the Foreign Office to-day. on wnich
hangs the last hope of settling the coal
| strike without recourse to legislation
| Although nothing definite was achieved
at the joint conference the prospect OF
a settlement Of the coal strike is decid7
edly brighter. The executive committee
I of the Miners Federation met late to-
night and adopted resolution recon-
mending the federation to agree to Pre-
mier Asquith's plan for joint confer
ence In the various districts for the set
tlement Of the minimum wage proposals.
on the understanding that none OF the
districts resume work until national
settlement is effected.
| Should the federation, as Is expected.
adopt this recommendation 1t will be u
decided step forward, as a general
agreement on a minimum wage is likely
to have considerable influence on the OBJ
durate Scotch and Welsh owners.
The Prime Minister again had an au-
dience with the King and informed his
majesty of the proceedings at the joint
conference.
| The extent to which the strike is cur
failing railway services is indicated by
the fact that the North Eastern Rail-
way alone has suspended 1869 trains.
1t is estimated that the unions, exclud-
ing the miners, are paying out S2ooOOo
weekly to those out Of employment
while 100000 men are working on short
time. The funds Of the North Wales
Miners Association are almost exhaust
ed and the association has been obliged
to stop strike pay.
In Scotland some isolated raids on
bakers, coal and wood stores are re-
ported
To- days conference, which included
representatives Of the coal owners ana
miners, as we'll as of the Cabinet, was held
under the presidency Of Premier Asquith.
Three ard a half hours were devoted to
discussion of the whole subject OF the
strike. but basis for a settlement was
not reached Sir Edward Grey, Sir
George Askwith and Sydney Buxton.
President OF the Board of Trade, partic-
| ipated.
| 1t was the first time since the govern-
ment intervened that the disputants had
! been brought together. The fact that
the conference will reassemble to-mor-
row indicates that there Is no deadlock
and gives ground for the hope that some
agreement will be reached paving the
way for a settlement of the strike. Fur
ther than that all is surmise.
The government is being subjected to
severe criticism for yelling with secrecy
negotiations which involve the vital In.
dustries of the nation.
BRUSSELS March 12.-There is every prob
ability of a coal strike breaking out
throughout Belgium, which will affect 45,-
900 GOLFERS The miners in the liege
basin have charged their delegates to ask
for higher wages and those in the vicinity
of Charleroi have unanimously decided to
ash for Is per cent increase. II their de-
mands are not granted they all threaten to
go on strike. The miners justify. their de-
mands chiefly on account of, the higher SELL
ing prices of coal in consequence OF the
strike in Great Britain.
| Berlin, March 12.-At least 100000 MIN
| ers have struck work In the Westphanan
| coal field, according to a conservative esti-
mate, thus equalling the figures OF the great
German coal strike in 1905
| Several speakers IN the Prusslan nnes
to-day suggested the necessity OF deciar-
ing martial law in Westphaiia for the pro-
tection OF the non-strikers. A representa-
tive of the government said the present po-
lice measures were apparently adequate. u
thew proyed not to be SO the governments
would not hesitate to protect all the inter-
ests involved with the utmost energy put
| there was no question at present Qi deciAr'
| ing martial law.
member of the Clerical party In tho
Re,chstag introduced an Interpolation ASK
ing DIR. Won. Bethmanp- Hpllwes. the I'm