New-York tribune., 1920-10-16
Embargo Ordered OH Eve
Of Walk-Out of Million
Workers; Coaling Of All
Foreign Ships Barred
Steps Taken to Avert
Shortage of Food
Fear Rail Men Also Nav
Go Out Gives Grave Con.
Germ; Industry to Close
By Arthur S. Draper

copyright, 1920 New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Oct. 15.-Every prepara
ton has been made by the government
IN anticipation of the strike of more
than million coal miners, called fol
tomorrow. For weeks the wak-out was
regarded as probable, and now that the
call has been issued the final steps are
being taken to provide food for the
large centers of population and fol
conserving, so far as possible, coal or
hand
The government has issued orders
forbdding the further export of Goa
and prohibiting foreign ships to take
bunker coal. Transatlantic liners sched-
uied to sail this week end will get
away, but later ones probably will be
held up. For home consumption only
one hundredw ght of coal will be sold
at time. Horse racing will continue
tomorrow but is expected to stor
Monday. All train service will be
greatly reduced and the gas supply will
be restricted
Downing Street takes an optimistic
view Of the situation, and, although
the Cabinet is reported unanimously
opposed to any concession to the miners
there are indications that the hope OF
avertlng lengthy stoppage of work
has not been abandoned.
Union Leaders Efforts Futile
The strike order was sent to the
miners to-day, following consideration
OF Lloyd Georges letter. which the
miners leaders held altogether un-
satisfactory. Although Robert Smillie
the miners president, and the other
leaders used every effort to avert the
strike, they are now prepared to fight
to the bitter end for the increase of
wages demanded.
The miners are said to be we'll sup
piled with funds, and the strike may
last six weeks During this period
large sections of the public, which have
been unable to purchase adequate re-
serves of coal, would suffer great hard
ships. There also is the possibility
that the coal strike may be only the be-,
ginning of a series of industrial out
breaks. including strikes by the rail
way men and the transport workers
who, with the miners, form the triple
alliance.
ShiASi Way YAH IiSNtlOu
1t would cause no surprise If Pre-
mier Lloyd George seized the oppor-
tunity to plunge the country into q
general election, relying on public
opinion to support him on a platform
denying the right of the minority to
dictate the policy of the government
and opposing any measure which would
go beyond the present Home Rule for
Ireland.
With Parliament reassembling on
the day of the beginning of the strike,
there is certain to be some exceeding
ly lively sessions.
Aside from the political aspects of
the strike and the personal inconven-
the more serious question of it's effect
on international trade. At the moment
British industry is preparing to enter
into competition with America for the
trade of Europe and the other parts
of the world. The lack of financial
support has been a serious handicap
here, and the British have seen with
dismay the Americans obtaining su-
premacy of several markets and form
ing combinations with shippers, trad
ers and manufacturers of other coun-
tries, notably Germany.
If the coal strike should last month
industry would be so badly crippled
it would be set back another year. This
argument was used without avail with
the miners.
The triple alliance will meet Monday
Winston Spencer Churchill, War
Secretary speaking in Scotland to-day
said if the strike only lasted a folt-
night he saw no possibility of satisfac-
torily handling the problem Of unem-
ployment.
Industries Prepare to Close
LONDON, Oct. is BY The Associated
Press) ).-Many OF the British indus
tries, notably the iron and steel
branches, and some of the shipbuilding
and engineering works, already are ar
ranging to close down in anticipation
of the miners strike.
The Ministry of Transnort this after