The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-17
Heavy Vote for WalkOut
Caused by Diggers' Mis-
take Over Ballot.
HAY ON DATUM LINE
Rail and Transport Men
Appear Likely to Favor
Sympathy Strike.
TROOPS SENT TO LONDON
Steel Mills Close; Food Short
age Near; London Signs Dark,
Fear for Italy.
TROOPS SENT TO LONDON
Specid! Gable TO THE NEw YORK HnaALD.
Copyright 1920, BY THE New YoaK HERALD.

Special Gable TO TIE NEw YORK HEaALp.
Copyright, 1920, BY THE New YoaK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Oct. 10.
Approximately 100000 coal min
ers In the British Isles quit work to-
day. simultaneously statements were
issued by the Government and the
miners union officials, headed by
Robert Smillie, which can be in
terpreted as meaning only that it will
be a fight TO a finish. Each side
hlames the other for the strike.
British industry. meanwhile, has
already begun to close down because
Of lack of coal, and many thousand
of workers, including dock laborers
and men employed in industrial
plants, are out of work, thus swell
ing the nks OF the unemployed,
which. perhaps, are larger now than
ever before in the history of Great
Britain.
1t is obvious tonight that all Eng
land stands on tiptoe, keenly alert
and apprehensive of the dangers of
the situation The whole country,
including the thinking men in the
miners organization, hold that the
strike at this time was Ill advised.
Blame Is Laid TO BoIshevil<i.
1t is charged directly TO the .adi-
col wing of the miners union, and
he change is heard in many quar-
ters that this radical wing is Boil
sheylst How far it will be able to
Influence other British labor re-
mains to be seen, and only time will
determine 1t.
Not until the transport workers
and the railroad men meet next week
to consider the situation will 1t be
possible TO determine authoritatively
whether the radical element among
the miners will be able to swing the
most powerful labor organization in
Great Britain to their support. II
is this that all England is standing
on tiptoc, watching and waiting TO
know.
The action OF the miners in throw
ing down their picks and quitting the
mine pits was instantly reflected in
London and In a way which every
man and woman could observe. Or
ders were issued by the Coal Con-
f~s ID. "a ne
OF electricity consumed and every shop
display window was dark. All special
trains to the races next week were
cancelled. Drastic regulations were
put into effect In connection with the
sale OF coal
In we'll Informed circles the con-
sensus is that II the strike lasts a
week British shipping will be tied up.
Troops Ordered TO London.
Two battalions Of Guards have been
ordered to London from Aldershot. At
Portsmouth all military leave has been
stopped.
No disorders have been reported.
with the Government determined 10
fight the strike and with public opinion
solidly behind the Government. even
the Laborites and the mine leaders see
small chance OF the strike resulting in
n victory for labor.
THE workers generally and the min
ers were never in a less fit condition for
prolonged Industrial struggle" said
John Clynes, VI. T.. to-day. He made
IL clear that the miners should COM
promise
]. II. Thomas Of the railroad mems
union. II was authoritatively stated. also
favors compromise. Mr.. Thomas re-
turned 20 London to-day He refused to
make any statement other than TO ad-
wise his own union TO go slow" II II
expected that before another week has
passed Mr. Thomas viii essay 20 play tive
role Of peacemaker