The sun., 1918-04-23
IRISHREADY
FOR STRIKE ON
DRAFT TO-DAY
Railways, Light, Gas and Food
Supply Near Dublin to
Be Stopped.
LABOR TO TAKE PLEDGE
Priests Lead Congregations in
Swearing to Oppose
C0nscription.
LABOR TO TAKE PLEDGE
s,ee,ei Cable pes,eteA 70 Tas scx

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Copyright, 1918: all SfeAts ressrvsd
LONDON. April 23.-Despatchss from
Dublin tonight say that ireland 10
ready for the general strike tomorrow
which Is to be q monster protest against
the application Of conscription. Much
depends upon what action organized
labor may take. So far as known. there
Il every probability that the railways
throughout the country. the Dublin
tramways and the electric light. gas
and food supplies Of the capital viii be
closed down.
This has been decided upon not only
as . protest against conscription. but
to enable the worxmen TO sign the anti
conscription pledge.
John Dillon. In replying TO the Ma
tional Union Of Railway Men. who for
warded to him resolutions protesting
against conscription. said that to at
tempt to enforce conscrtption in Ireland
was little short Of lunacy.
Copies Of south Of ireland newspapers
reaching London tonight contained
practically nothing but articles and des-
patches dealing with opposition to con-
scription. Remarkable scenes were wit
messed yesterday when pledges against
conscription were taken solemnly by all
the leading Catholic congregations. At
most Of the masses the priests spoke to
the people. telling them how far they
were justified In offering resistance and
announcing the hour and place for taxi
ing the pledge.
The procedure was as follows At
an appointed hour the members Of the
various churches attended them In the
Afternoon. As each man or woman en-
y hn nf hA mai Re
clearly written on a slip OF paper. was
handed to tho stewards. The strictest
| silence was observed. Then the priest
ascended the pulpit and read the pledge
to his congregation. which, standing,
repeated the pledge after him. The
pledge was the same as that drawn up
by the bishops at Maynooth. denying
the right OF tho British Government TO
enforce compulsory service and pledging
resistance to conscription by the most
, effective means available.
Country IL United.
Never before has the country been so
united on any subject The greatest JOY
is expressed at the results OF the Man
| sion House conference. Whatever ad
vice the conference Ia prepared 10 offer.
1t seems that the country will follow II
| willingly.
Bakers and milkmen in Dublin and
several other Irish cities this morning
| notified householders that there would
be no deliveries tomorrow. Employees
Of street car and bus lines announced
that they would not work. Railway
engineers. carpenters. tailors. drapers.
blacksmiths and men in score Of other
organizations are to be idle.
1t Is estimated that at least $4,000
xations alone. Not only will engineers
clerks. ticket sellers. switchmen. fremen
and hostlers will not report for duty.
Tho attempt to stop tram and train ser
vice will be on an unprecedented scale.
In times past such moves have been
practical failures yet never did gen.
eral strike have such high ecciesiastical
and political support. To-morrows in
, dustrial tieup will partake almost OF
the nature Of religious observance.
There seems no sentiment to make the
day one Of rioting or violence. In fact
the grea. walkout Is to be more OF a
political demonstration than a strike.
The temper OF tho unions. however
seems hrm. and It II realized that at
tempts by the soldiers or police to- re-
sumo industrial operations may lead to
serious consequences.
Lighting Cot or.
The Dublin city electricity department,
has announced n stoppaxe of lighting
from 6 o'clock tomorrow morning until
6 o'clock tomorrow evening. Saloor
keepers OF the city have unanimously
decided to close tomorrow. Owing to a
decision OF the printers to cease work
newspapers printed by trade union labor
will not appear tomorrow.
Among the sInatories to the anti
conscription pledge is Nichols Synott
who recently was elected governor OF the
Bank OF ireland.
The clergy has been particular,
active In exhorting the people tt
be patient and not to mar the pro
test by any unseemly actions. Especial,
Ia 1t not desired to ALLEVIATE the sym
pathies of tho United States. as Irela nd
is looking more and more to that coun
try for sympathetic understanding. Il
not for actual assistance In solving It,
problems. sixteen members Of the King,
Council. including two OF the three ser
geants at law. have issued a statement
indorsing the declaration OF the Cath
olic hierarchy In regard to conscription.
1t 10 probable that tho paralysis o.
train service will result in the cancella
fion NJ the PunChe etown ra ces the Crea