, 1912-03-20

minimum for pieceWOrkers other than coal
getters when the owners concede the miners
minimum according to the original Schedule.
The miners insist q national settlement must
precede sectional resumption. Mr. Kier
Hardie predicts the introduction of Gov
eminent legislation on Tuesday, and Mr.
Joseph Chamberlain's brother Arthur saws
the miners demands are just and should be-
conceded with Parliamentary security for
their enforcement; he further advocates the
naturalization of mines.
The Daily Chronicle is alarmed at the
prospects of a collapse of the conference,
protests against the secrecy of its proceed
ure and urges publicity SO that opinion may
concentrate upon those preventing al agree
ment.
The magnitude of the crisis is almost ines
Unable and beyond exaggeratiOn; those idle
and their families number four millions, everv
branch of industry is affected, the bankers
weekly cleariDgs are seventy million pounds
below 1911 and the bank of England's ratio
of reserve is the lowest for a decade, neverthe-
less there is a vigorous boom in securities
not directly affected by the strike
The German strikers now number three
hundred thousand, and troops have been or
dered to the disturbed districts.
The Government, answering the interpella-
ton in the Relchstag, said the time had not
arrived for mediation, but the Government
will protect all willing workers.
The demand for Belgian coal exceeds the
capacity to supply and the railways are con-
gested.
The American anthracite miners declare
they will yield nothing, and a strike is sure
on April first. The coal supply is scanty and
prices are rising about a dollar a ton.
An official report of yesterdays sitting of
the sugar conference states that an agree
ment has been reached on all essential points.
The sitting was occupied in framing the pro-
tocol aud clauses required for renewal of the
convention, and it is expected that a definite
ratification of the agreement will be signed
on Monday.
Mr. Chuychill's memorandum accompany
ing the naval estimates i~rrItates The German
Jingoes, and they denounce it as lmpudent
British bluff. The Berlin Post urges the
Government to reply by publication OF the
German estimates in their original form, sim
ultaneously revealing the unbearable British
pressure that Germany has silently suffered
for many years: thePost admits it might pro-
duce war but thinks a forcible settlement
preferable to an endless competition In arma-
ments,
A Rome despatch states that King Victor
Emmanuel escaped unhurt because, contrary
~ CuSIOLAs AO was ANAAA6 AZ N
carriage on account of the Queens in
disposition. His assailant, Antonio Dalba,
a stone-mason aged twenty one, has
declared it was not a plot but a personal
protest against the organization OF society.
He has served three sentences for various
crimes. Their Majesties proceeded to the
annual memorial services for king Humbert'
and the King returned in an open automo-
bile amid popular acclaim. The Chamber
of Deputies proceeded in a body to the OUR
inal to attest their affection and devotion TO
the dynasty. The Vienna correspondent OF
the Times suggests q Turkish plot.
New York March 16th-Mr Mack has re-
signed the presidency of the General Asphalt
Company, following upon criticisms OF the
expenditure of q million and a half dollars IN
the development of the Trinidad oilfelds.
Mr.. Sewal succeeds him.
Trinidad 16th--H. M. S. Melpomene ar
rived 6. p. M 18th.
London, March 18th-The Peninsular and
Oriental Liner Oceana, outward bound for
Bombay, on her last voyage before retire
ment, collided off Beachy Head with the
German Bark Pisagua bound for Hamburg.