New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
British Munition
Strikes Broken
In Some Regions
Conditions in Manchester
Improve, but Liverpool
Engineers Quit
fg, cable 70 Tho rnbuncl

London, May 14.-Altogether there IS
little change for the better IN the
munition strike to-day. The men re-
turned to work in some instances, but
in insufficient numbers radically to
change the situation.
In the Manchester district the back
O the strike seems 20 be broken, the
majority of the workers either return
ing to-day or announcing their readl-
ness To resume work tomorrow. The
shop stewards, who acted as leaders IN
the strike, seem to have lost their
authority. while the dispatch riders
who have been assembling and daily
kcepinC up communications between
the various towns were not seen. The
King and Queen arrived IN these as
tricts day for a weeks tour.
In the important centre o. barrow
also the men are returning. ballot
taken in Altrincham. in Cheshire, TO-
dav favored resumption, 1000 men
beinq affected. Their decision was
based on the governments representa-
labor where the work was of prime
national Importance. In Southern Lam
cashire conditions were likewise better,
and in Coventry an overwhelming ma
iority of the members of the trades
unions denounced the strikers.
On the other hand, the Liverpool and
Rirkonhead engineers struck to-day. In
tho Yorkshire districts the strike con-
tinues uninterruptedly. but in some OF
the London areas work was started
again. A..
The general impression is that al
tnouoh there was no considerable re
SUMPTION this morning the men VIII
begin TO tire of the strike very soon
and that a tactful handling by the gov
eminent departments Will accelerate
the process.
Public opinion meanwhile grows IN
intensity against the strikers, for 1t IS
generally felt that they are endanger-
ing the men fighting in France. The
women and girls working alongside OF
them in the munition factories are their
Interest antagonists. In most OF the
towns affected feeling runs hlgh, so
high that the strikers are afraid TO
wear their engineers union badges, es-
recially the younger ones. VINO are
publicly told that they are sinking IN
the munitions factories when they
ought to be fighting.
Another strike occurred IN London to-
dav toward which the public IS even
more resentful. This morning pract-
callv all the motor buses ceased run
ming. and the streets were of an al
most unacceptable appearance. Out
of 1850 omnibus drivers IN normal
times only SO started work, some OK
whom were persuaded to return to their
depots, while out OF 10000 employees
affected only $50 attempted to work.
IL was a broiling day. and many Lon
doners just had to walk.
This strike also mystiies the ma
iority of the public, but the UNDER
living cause is that last week the com
many refused TO recognize the mems
union. Apart from this the men de-
mand an immediate war bonus OF ten
shillings weekly, on which issue the
companies are willing TO arbltrate.
DR.. Christopher Addison, Minister of
Munitions, in statement dealing with
the engineers strike, says:
"The people say the army in France
has heaps of shells. But that isn't the
point. am glad to say they have
plenty OF shells at the front, but these
strikes are particularly affecting Such
things as big guns, tanks and airplane
motors. The supply of all these has
been gravely affected"