The sun., 1918-07-27
SERVICE THREAT
MAY ENDSTRIKE
Lloyd George Tells Idle NUM-
tions Workers They May
Be Drafted.
MANY RESUME TASKS
Engineering Trades Will Or
der Walkout if Embargo
Is Continued.
MANY RESUME r
Special Cable Despatch to The Sun.
Copyright, 1918: all r1hts reserred.

LONDON, July 26.-The strike situa-
cause for much anxiety. The offer Of
the Government of an official inquiry
has had a good effect and the warning
to-day by Premier Lloyd George that II
the strikers do not return to work by
Monday they will be liable to conscrlp-
tion for service in the army. to which up
to this time they have been exempt. may
clear up the situation
Many men have resumed work in a
large number OF shops. but the majority
OF the strikers still are idle. Several
unions announced their willingness this
morning to accept the Government In
quiry and resume work. but the only
men Of a skilled union making this Of
fer are the brass workers. whose union
Is small one.
Many Want to Return.
The unions composed OF unskilled and
semi-skilled workmen virtually are
unanimous in the desire to resume, but
these to large extent depend upon the
skilled men to set the machines and
most Of them will be unable to start
work unless the skilled men return to
the shops.
In his warning Premier Lloyd George
said that some workmen had left their
posts contrary to the advices OF their
leaders in an attempt to force the Gov
ernment to change its policy essential to
the progress of the war. He also pointed
out that while millions Of others were
facing death in the trenches in France
these men had exemptions from those
same perils because their services were
considered Of vital import to the country
in the manufacture Of supplies for the
army abroad.
Following conference held in Leeds
yesterday. where a resolution was car
ried recommending thst the unions take
their members out Of the shops unless
the embargo Is withdrawn before Tues
day next, several conferences have been
arranged in the munition districts, nota-
bly, in Woolwich. where the shop stew
ards in the arsenal have called meet
ing to act on reports from Coventry and
Leeds. Tho munition workers in the
arsenal up to the present have been loyal
to the Government In the prosecution Of
the war and have taken little part in any
trade dispute. Their decision will carry
great weight for or against the exten-
sion of the strike movement.
Have Patriotic Slogan.
The slogan of the residents of Wool
wich during the week has been Strike
now and you will earn the blessings OF
the Kaiser and his army of murderers"
The newspapers also are warning Nthe
strikers The Evening Stondard re-
minds them that many skilled men are
obtainable to fll their places II the
strikers persist in the attitude Of de-
fiance which will result in the with
drawal Of the strikers exemptions from
military service.
Winston Churchill, Minister OF NUM-
tions, declares he is assured that the
great majority of munition workers will
support loyalty the Governments policy,
| which has as its only object the provi-
sion Of an adequate supply of munitions.
The Federation Of discharged SOL
diers and sailors have assured the Min
lister of Munitions that they will sup
port the Government and continue at
their tasks. The strikers issued a state
ment to-day that 100000 men were out.
but Government officials said that no:
more than $1,000 were idle.
strike Generally Opposed.
Throughout the country there is gen
erai opposition to the strike. women and
uns,xilled workers assuring the Gov
eminent that they will continue at work.
From many OF the munition centres to-
day kilograms were received pledging
the loyalty OF the. workers to the cause
! Continued on Third Po0e.