The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-24
SOLDIERS TO- GUARD
SAILORS IN MINES
British Government Puts Men
to Work Pumping in Effort
to Save Properties.
100000 NOW ON STRIKE
Lloyd George Faces His Worst
SituatiOn-Secret Circular
Stirs Labor.
100000 NOW ON STRIKE
By the Associated Press.

LONDON. July 23.-'rhe fourth day OF
the coal miners strike brought no sign
Of settlement. Nearly ESQ, 900 men are
out The most important development
of the day was that soldiers will be
used to protect the sailors who are
working the pumps at the mines in
Yorkshire. lust what effect this action
of the Government will have on the
striking miners is not yet apparent. The
unions oppose bitterly any use OF the
military in connection with a strike. and
have made this one of the chief planks in
their platform.
The disclosure by labor paper recently
of a secret circular which the War Office
sent to officers. asking what would be
the attitude of the soldiers in the event
they were called upon for strike break
ing. has produced great sensation in
labor circles.
The Government received informa ton
from Yorkshire tonight suggesting that
the strikers are anxious to resume work
Immediately, provided a settlement re-
specting piece rates Is reached to-day,
says the Daily Mail
THE Government when meeting the
miners executive" the newspaper adds,
will. as far as possible. confine the dis
cussion to piece rates, hoping to settle
the matter forthwith. The mine>s ex-
ecutive will try to elicit from the Gov
eminent a statement regarding national
ization of mines. but the Ministers are
determined to avoid this issue. At pres
ent, however, there is a strong impress
sion in the House of Commons that the
Premier has definitely decided against
naturalization. and soon will say So
Premier Lloyd George and several
members of the Cabinet. including An
drew Bonar Law, Sir Auckland Geddes
and Sir Robert s. Horne, conferred with
the mine owners to-day. The Premier
will meet the officers of the Miners Fed
Grafton tomorrow.
Triple Labor Alliance Meets.
The triple alliance of labor. which is
composed Of the railway men, transpor-
tation workers and miners met in Lon
don behind closed doors and registered
vote of 2l7 to II against conscription.
participation in Russian campaigns and
the Intervention of military force in
trade union disputes.
Sir Eric Geddes, who is the Cabnets
man OF all work. went to Leeds with a
retinue OF officials, but announced that
his mission was only for the protection
of the mines against flooding and 70,
the direction Of sailors engaged in
pumping. 1t was not to interfere with
the strike. Sir Eric, as manager of
large railways. has had experience in
dealing with labor troubles, but IT re-
mains to be seen whether his presence
in the strike districts will have a bene-
fetal effect.
In talk to newspaper men at Leeds
Sir Eric used strong words. He said
The Government is determined that all
the resources of the State, whether they
are resources OF citizens or armed forces
OF the crown, shall be used to prevent
ruin to the community. because, II those
mines are flooded, 1t will cause great un-
employment and for many months will
prevent the output Of coal. which the in
dustries OF the country need TO keep
them from being ruined.