The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-05
Winnipeg Soldiers Are Incensed
at Strikers Attitude.
Threaten To Wreck Labor Tenn
pie as an Example"
SAY STRIKERS BACKING DOWN
Menacing Stand OF. Soldiers
May Speed Settlement.
RumOred Union Leaders Con.
sidering Halt, Fearing Injury.

Winnipeg. June 5.-Feeling among
returned soldiers opposed to the gen.
eral strike of Winnipeg and particu-
larly to the participation of alien enc
mics IN strike demonstrations was at
fever heat this morning. Mayor Gray
was informed that a parade of sew
eral thousand soldiers intended to
march to the Trades and Labor coun-
Gil this forenoon, force entrance if
necessary and demand that all aliens
be ousted from the Winnipeg unions.
Soldiers Are Incensed.
81 have heard it said that the SOL
diers are so incensed over the high
handed methods of strike leaders and
/ insulting remarks made by James
Duncan, the Seattle labor leader yes
terday, that they have threatened to
wreck the labor temple and make an
example of the leaders, said Mayor
Gray. Il shall urge the men to re-
member that law and order must be
maintained"
Soldiers who attended the mass
meeting where Duncan spoke yester-
day declared he referred to the re-
turned soldiers as a bunch of ignor-
amuses.'' The returned soldiers pa
rade was set for 1880 o'clock this
forenoon. Mayor Gray said that no
attempt would be made to prevent
peaceful demonstration"
The city today took over the dis
tribution of milk and was arranging
to provide for bread distribution if
| necessary. 1t was reported that
strike leaders were preparing to
rescind their order of yesterday order
/ ing all union handlers of foodstuffs
to go on strike. Mayor Gray said
that milk stations would be opened
in all public school buildings and that
adequate protection would be fur
nished."
Call Off Big Strike.
Rumors were current on the streets
and in local newspaper offices this
forenoon that the central strike COM
mittee was considering the advisable
ity of calling off the sympathetic
strike in view of the impending action
by war veterans.
1t was stated at the board of trade
that hundreds of union men were
ready to return to work despite con-
trary orders from the strike commit
tee as soon as they were assured "ade-
quate protection"
The strike situation seemed to be
completely reversed. Labor leaders
who have publicly and aggressiveIy at
tempted to combat every federal, pro-
vircial and municipal attempt to re-
store tranquility in Winnipeg were
asking for protection" it was learned
at the city hall.
settlement i'm 24 Hours
Despite surface indications of re-
newed intensity of the general strike
here leaders today were hopeful of
settlement within the next twenty-four
hours.
Authoritative information indicated
a settlement with honor to both
Sides in the next day.
Secretary Ernest Robinson of the
general strike committee backed this
prediction by telegraphing labor dele
gates from the entire province to ap-
pear here for Settlement of the
strike"
More than 1000 Winnipeg veterans
of the great war, including scores of
officers and hundreds of union men,
after standing at attention in the au-
ditOrium this afternoon and singing
God Save the King" pledged them
law and order in Winnipeg and to
stamp out Bolshevism anarchy from
the forces of Winnipeg labor.
Made Special Cops.
The mass meeting was still in ses-
sion carly this afternoon Resolu-
tiGns were passed demanding that the
authorities Immediately arrest and
punish all persons responsible for
strike situation in Winnipeg who have
attempted to overthrow constitutional
government Deportation of 'all un-
desirable aliens also was urged.
Mayor Gray addressed the mass meet
ing and said the city wanted 1000
special constables from the ranks of
returned soldiers "to protect honest la
Dor from intimidation, to provide food
for allied classes and to safeguard ev-
cry branch of municipal and civil life. -
A loarIng response, I'VE are at
your service" followed the mayors re-
quest. The city will pay the consta-
bles S5 a day.