The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-26
OLYMPIC GIVES UP.
CONTINUED from Page one.l

The strike has a serious aspect be-
yond the matter of inconvenience to
transatlantic travel, as the seamen'
having signed for the voyage, have
charge of mutiny. Immediately fol-
lowing the walkout the White Star Of
f1cials appealed to the authorities with
the result that the Olymptc's Whole
complement of seamen, numbering a.
were arrested when they came ashore.
They will be arraigned in police court
at Portsmouth charged with mutlny.
The National Sailors and F1remen
union repudiates the action OF the
strikers who are said to have Deen
advised by the seafarers' organization
which recently withdrew from the
parent body.
Strike Began Last Wednesday.
The firemen of the Olympic struck
Wednesday, five minutes before the
vessel was due to sail for New York.
Their grievance was the alleged failure
of the company to properly equip the
steamer with lifeboats. subsequently
a deputation of union firemen Witness
ed a test of the life saving apparatus
and being satisfied with the same,
agreed to return to work.
Meantime, however, their fellows
had dispersed, leaving word that they
would not rejoin the ship unless eigh-
teen firemencWho had remained aboard
when the others left were discharged
This concession was refused by the
the Olympic rather than suffer coer-
cfon. Officials of the line forthwith
began to recruit new force OF ire
men from Sheffield, Liverpool and
Portsmouth and yesterday announced
the Olympic would sail at daybreak
today This morning tugs containing
$50 firemen to replace the strikers
came alongside the Olympic and were
putting the new men aboard when the
seamen struck. They declared they
would not work with nonunion men
and promptly clambered over the
ships side into the waiting tugs.
Captain Haddock appealed for as
sistance to the cruiser Cochrane,
whose commander boarded the steam
er and warned the crew that any of
them taking part in the strike after
having signed for the trip would be
guilty of mutiny. This had no effect
upon the seamen who proceeded to
shore. Here they were met by a
strong force of police and placed I'M
der arrest on the ground that their
presence in town under the circum-
stances might lead to disorders. Later
the strikers were hailed into court
When the helplessness of the Olym-
pic became known steamer was dis
patched from here for Ryde to take
eff the saloon passengers, who were
brought here pending arrangements
for their transfer other-vessels.
Three hundred first and second class
passengers of the Olympic volunteered
The captain thanked them, while de-
clining their services.
Crowds of seamen and firenen
thronged the docks throughout the day
and many of these condemned the ac-
ton of the strikers. The distress in
this port is already great in conse-
quence of the loss of so many heads of
families with the Titanic and today's
events will perceptibly add to the hard
ships.
Later it was decided that the salon
passengers Of the Olympic would pro-
coed by train tonight to Liverpool
where they will embark on the Lusi-
tania which will sail for New York to-
morrow.
This afternoon the striking seamen
who included six quartermasters wore
arraigned in police court at Ports
mouth charged with mutiny They
pleaded not guilty and were remanded
for trial next Monday. The court ac-
ceDted bail for their apDearanca