The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
BRITONS EXPECT
QUICK ENDING OF
AILPARALYSIS
Nation Optimistic After
Bonar Laws Conference
/ With Trade UniOnists.
RAISING CITIZENS ARMY
Troops Concentrated for Use
as Last Resort il General
Strike Should Happen.

Copyright, 1913. vi rf0hts reserced
LONDON, Oct. 4.-The great railway
strike finished its first week with
hopeful indications that settlement
may be reached through the negoti-
ations which are in progress between
Premier Lloyd George and the execu-
tives of the National Union of Railway
Men and the Trades Union Concili-
alton Committee, which again visited
Downing street and had a long con-
ference with Andrew Bonar Law. As
a result it was announced that j. III.
Thomas, secretary Of the railway
mems union, would confer again with
the Premier tomorrow.
The first meeting to-day Of the me-
diators. held this morning. apparently
was without result, but in the after
noon the conciliation committee, con-
sisttng of fourteen members, contin-
ued the discussion with the Premier
and several Of them declared after
ward that the situation was hopeful,
with a possibility that an agreement
would be reached before the assembly
of the General Trades Union Congress
on Tuesday.
Thomas apparently looks for a gen.
eral strike IL no agreement is reached
before the congress meets and is using
every effort to avoid such an outcome
as he knows the Government will use
troops to crush a general strike.
Civilian Army n Precaution.
1t was explained to-day that the call
for a volunteer citizen army was issued
by the Government merely as precau-
tionary measure. The Premier does
not want to use troops against the strik-
ers unless he is driven to 1t. He wishes
to use every means possible to keep the
dispute in civilian hands. and to that end
he advised the Mayors Of all the towns
and villages of the country to organize
temporary police forces.
Meanwhile the Government has con-
centrated thousands OF troops at all the
prominent railway centres. These meh
are kept outside OF the city limits and
moved under cover OF darkness, so as
to arouse no hysterical rumors but they
are ready II they should be needed. II
the strike continues through a second
week, or II the Trades Union Congress
calls a general strike, every one expect,
violence. If II should come the police
will cope with the unruly elements to th'
best of their ability II they fall. specia
constables will be called out by procla
nation, and finally the citizens volunteer
army will be called
II will be only as a last resort tina
paid troops will be used against tn
strikers, then will come what man!
workers are expecting, a real revolution
with blood spilled wherever the striker
! show an inclination to raise hant
against the volunteers.
Even with good prospects for a settle
ment, the Government is faced with Sc
rious trouble with certain radical ele
ments Of the strikers. who are perpetrat
| ing isolated acts OF sabotage. Thes
increased yesterday and to-day and tn
police have received warning that tn
strikers would damage the differen
| trunk lines TO such an extent on Sunda,
that trains cannot be operated.
Extra Guards for Railways.
To prevent this general call ha
been issued for special constables t
guard the right OF way and to-day prom
inent citizens and others, from ever
walk of life enlisted for this duty, The
are assigned immediately to the sectio
of road that they are to guard and con
centrations OF volunteers are being mad
| in each section so that In case OF troubl
they can help the guards.
Newspapers of all shades OF oplnio
are clamoring for an extra session o
Parliament. One public official to-da
described what might be expected
| the strike should continue for anothe
week. The whole trade union organiza
ton, he thought, would strike in sny
pathy with the railwaymen. throwin
thousands of men out of employment
many OF sthem irresponsible and espe
rate. 1t would be a tremendous tas
to cope with this great mas sof idl
strikers, who would have many com
munities completely at their mercy.
Opposed to Parliament would be
trade union executive practically gov
erning it's followers as the Soviet
operate in Russia. Just this state G
things is what Is demanded by man
members of the trade unions; the
want an opportunity Of testing thei
power. II may come next week.