New-York tribune., 1912-02-23
MAY AVERT COAL STRIKE
British Cabinet Hopeful After
Hearing Both Sides.
NEXT MEETING ON FEB. 27
international Committee Ready
to Act if Miners Go Out
South Wales Stubborn.

|
London. Feb 22.-The coal mine owners
have appointed n committee TO hold further
consultations with the Premier and his col
| leagues. and the miners representatives
| have been invited TO have q committee meet
| the Premier AMI his colleague when the
| National Miners Conference opens In Lon
don on February %. Such Is the sum total
of official information divulged concerning
the momentous meetings held in the For
eign Office to-day. which mark the begin
ming Of the governments efforts TO avert
the greatest industrial calamity ever
| threat tened I'm this country.
What actually transpred In the confer.
ence Is shrouded in the most rigid secrecy.
Three conferences were held during the
day. two Of them with the representatives
of the miners and the other with the coal
owners representatives. No meetings oc-
Cured between the disputants
II has not yet been determined whether
or not the miners will accept the invitation.
as the delegates are unable 10 give pledges
until the meeting Of the constituent body on
February %. Presumably they WILL but the
time then remaining in which TO effect a
settlement is perilously short, as the date
for the proposed strike is February %.
Hopeful Feeling Noticed.
1t was noticeable. however, after the Of
fetal summary of the proceedings was
issued that a much more hopeful feeling
with reference 10 the outcome prevailed in
the parliamentary Hobbies, from which II is
to be inferred that SOME encouraging in
formation on the results of the conference
has become known.
In the House OF Commons this evening
Sydney Buxton. President Of the Board of
Trade, briefly outlined the days proceed
lngs at the Foreign Office regarding the
threatened coal strike, and announced that
no further meetings would be held until
February 81 the day Of tho Miners Fed
Grafton meeting.
The government. he said, contemplstes in
stituting an inquiry as TO what measures
il is bic TO take 20 prevent waste in
mining for coal and how 10 economic in
the matter of consumption by more scien-
tifc use Of coal in the production Of energy,
so as TO husband the national resources.
Tho committee Of the International Min
ers' Federation met again to-day and ended
its discussions of the strike situation In Eng
land. II Is admitted that plans of interna-
tional action wero agreed on during the
conference, but the members were not pre-
pared TO divuge their intentions in the
event OF a British strike until the result
OF the present negotiations between the
coal owners end the miners is made known.
Premier Asquith. supported by Sydney
Charles Buxton, president Of the Board OF
nf
the Excheduer: Sir Edward Grey. Secre-
tary Of State for Foreign Affairs, and Sir
George Askwith. Controller General OF the
Commercial and Labor Department Of the
Board OF Trade, first held two hours
conference this morning with the repre-
sentatives Of the miners and subsequently
met a large deputation Of coal owners The
aim OF the Cabinet appears 20 be 10 ar
range a joint conference of the disputants
which shall be presided over by the strike
breaker" Sir George Askwith. and should
this be agreed on II seems probable that
the strike notices will be suspended so that
negotiations may proceed.
May Leave Out South Wales.
The greatest difficulty that confronts the
medlators is the attitude OF both employ
ers and workers in the South Wales dis
trlct. Neither Of these have thus far shown
the slightest disposition 10 bulge, so that
II may be necessary as far as possible TO
eliminate South Wales and endeavor 10 ar
range settlement in the other coal areas.
leaving the lrreconcila bes 10 hght out their
own battles.
The miners representatives had a sec
opd meeting with the Cabinet ministers
this evening They agreed TO appoint a
committee which would furnish to Premier
Asouith all Information regarding the
miners side OF tho dispute that he desires
Tho mems leaders appear 10 be pleased at
the development thus far. and expressed
Willingness for Joint conference with the
mine owners II that step were required.
A prominent Labor member OF Parlia-
ment this afternoon said that he firmly
heIIeved a strike would he ayerted.
London, Feb % friday. 10
THE Daily Telegraph" Premier Asaulth.
NJ the conferences at the Foreign Ofice
yesterday. proposed
First. a postponement OF the date OF
eration OF the strike notices: second. that
tho owners should admit the principle OF
mi
sbouId ensue TO settle the amount OF the
minimum wage.
The miners offered no substantial objec-
,ion 10 the proposals Some OF the owners
coucurred, but the South Wales owners
refused TO listen to the request for a post
nonement on the ground that IT would only
result in further disorganization of trade.
A statement issued by news agency,
called 'The Labor Press Agency" says the
governments Intervention In the coal dis
mute has failed, neither party being affected
hv the "yeiled threats OF what the gov
ernment might do.
Augustine Brrell. Chief Secretary for Ire
land speaking at Bristol last night said
that II was useless to say that a minimum
wage was impossible, and he fervently
boned that the matter might be settled
,airlv and nationally. but. he added, "on
bebalf' OF the nation I protest against the
notion that wo haven't rights In this ques-
ten