New-York tribune., 1919-07-25
Bonar Law Pledges All
Governments Strength
to Resist Threatened
Coercion by Workers
Nation Is Facino
Social Struggle
Rationing Likely and Rail
Service To Be Limited:
Coal Strike Near End
Ne1D rorE Tribune
EurODen1t Bnre0u

'IppIlsW, 1917. New York Tribune Inc.1
LONDON, July 24-Andrew Bonar
Law, government leader, speaking In
the House of Commons this evening,
warned the triple alliance of miners.
railwaymen and transport workers that
II the workingmen's threat, made yes
terday. of paralyzing the mines and
transportation to compel natonaliza-
ton OF the mines and withdrawal of the
British forces in Russia we're carried
out the government would use the
whole Of its forces against undue
pressure of any kind.
The industrial outlook is still caus-
ing anxiety, although the Premier's new
offer to the miners to-day is believed
likely to result in a settlement of the
present wage dispute.
Lloyd George Is Puzzle
A word from Robert Smillie, repre-
senting the alliance, however, will ad-
mittedly bring them out again when
the question of naturalization arises.
The mystery of the situation lies in
what position Lloyd George will take
when the naturalization struggle be-
gins According to "The Daily Mail"
the impression persists in Parliament
that the Premier has decided definitely
against naturalization.
There are many indications that the
country, is preparing for a irst-cass
political and perhaps social struggle.
The coal supply to private houses is
now limited to 200 pounds week, and
an extensive rationing of necessities
of life is fores shadowed. The exporta-
tion of coal has been stopped for the
present. Restriction of train service
is announced to begin next Monday,
and there are no indications now Of
an early return to normal runnings
The extent to which the service may be
cut was estimated by one railroad of
fetal as 40 per cent.
The situation is not rendered much
brighter by the statement of manu-
facturers returning to Great Britain
from Am erica, who declare. that the
British VIII be able to compete With the
United States in hardly any industry
.,,,1 LoNpoN. on July =, "a (By The Asso,
the British government will be ex-
erted to protect the people from any
undue PRESSURE" Andrew Bonar Law,
government leader, told the House of
Commons to-day when asked what was
being done regarding the confusion
and disorder resulting from dockwork-
ers' and miners strikes.
THE government is we'll aware that
there are number Of people-not a
very large number, fortunately-who
are aiming at the destruction of our
whole social and political situation" >"
MIR. Bonar Law added. AS to the agi-
not overlooking these people and will
do whatever it thinks effective for that
purpose. We realize there is a great
deal CT discomfort. due to profiteering,
or belief in profiteeering. and the
government certainly intends to take
whatever action possible before the
committee now considering this sub
Ject makes q report
Accuses Agitators
in speaking Of those people seeking
to destroy the social system, Mr.. Bonar
Law said they were "doing their best
to foment any discomfort arising from
any cause.
"Obviously," he added, "it would be
wrong for the government to use any
language that could be regarded as
provocative; on the other hand, we
Have made it absolutely clear that the
whole force Of the government will be
eNerted to protect the people from any
cnoue pressure from any quarter"
The day was fully occupied with con-
George and other members of the gov
ernment and the mining interests, and
closed with the prospect of a settle
ment. According to the strike leaders
IN Yorkshire the whole trouble arose
through the Coal Controllers attempt
TO evade the piece rate provisions Of
the Sankey report. which the govern
ment had adopted as a working basis.
One of the results of to-day's con-
terence between the Premier and the
miners executive was a new piece rate
offer on the part of the government,
which the Miners Federation appoint
ed subcommittee to consider
To Draft Formult
In the event of the governments
offer being accepted it involves the
appointment Of a small committee, rep
resenting the Coal Miners Department
and the Miners Federation, to adjust
formula adapted to the requirements
of the different districts.
at:sfactory aspect of the strike
IS the fact that there have been no
disorders or threatenings of any kind
and no attempt to hinder the naval
men who have been engaged in keeping
as far as possible the mines from flood
ing. The situation with regard to
pumping and ventilation underwent a
great Improvement during the course
Of the day.
There have been some extensions Of
the strike movement, but at the same
time many strikers have resumed work,
notably in Noting where it
was announced late tonight that the
strike had ended.