Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-19
OPENS
TO FACE IRISH AND
COAL STRIKE ISSUES
Lower Chamber Crowded
With Members in Anticipa.
ton of Debates.

LONDON October 10 Parliament
reopened today with the situation
created by the coal strike and the
Irish problem combining to draw the
members to Westminster in large
numbers. Thus the beginning of the
autumn session. which usually starts
with a lightly attended house and the
discussion of unimportant subjects,
found the lower chamber crowded in
anticipation of an immediate debate
on the coal strike.
This discussion was opened by Sir
Robert Horne, president of the board
OF trade. He declared the government
was open TO every form of suggestion
by which peaceful solution Of : this
great question could be obtained. He
appealed to the house to keep all bitter
ness out OF the debate. saying the prob
lem was to be solved not by denuncia-
ton but by good will and common sense
Sir Robert was loudly cheered as he
took the floor.
Premier Lloyd George had entered
shortly before and received an ovation.
Reviewed Efforts at Settlement.
In his speech Sir Robert reviewed
the attempts at a settlement with the
miners and drew a gloomy picture of
the results If the strike were to be
COHllHutu ne ldCtOEI6S
the country were closing, he said,
with each day throwing 10000 out of
employment. Trade, under these con-
ditions. would be gradually strangled.
he pointed out. He called attention to
the depreciation Of British credit
abroad as result only Of the threat
ened strike. which amounted in the
case of imports from America since
July. he said, to nearly 100000
monthly.
1t had been suggested, continued
the speaker. that because the country
was in this horrible trouble the miners
should be given something. That, he
said, might settle the strike, but If it
did so others would have to be set
tied every three months. when once
the impression got about that it was
only necessary to threaten strike
in order to get something.
The government intends to proceed
with the government Of Ireland bill,
it was declared by Andrew Bonar
Law. the government leader, in
answering question in the house of
commons today. The announcement
was greeted with cheers from the
coalition benches.
Put Down Murder Policy.
Col. Malone. liberal member for the
whether the government intended
meantime to continue the police
murder reprisals" This brought cries
of "Shame" from the floor. Mr.. Bonar
Law replied:
TT is the intention of the govern
ment meantime to put down the pol
icy of murder"
Sir Hamar Greenwood. chief sec
retary for Ireland, stated that since
January / policemen to the number
of 100, with Is of the military, had
been killed in Ireland and $50 of the
a1I ~ Ln \
been wounded. Police barracks to
the number of s67 had been attacked
and most of them destroyed. There
had also been an organized attempt
to boycott the police and their rela-
tiveS.
No Hope for Hunger Strikers.
Sir Hamar said he could not detail
the steps being taken to deal with
this campaign of murder and out
rage" but he assured the house that
the means of dealing with the situa-
ton were rapidly improving.
Home Secretary Shortt, when ques-
toned with regard to the possible
release of Lord Mayor MacSwiney of
Cork, declared the government had
not altered it's policy that convicted
men, or those awaiting trial for seri-
Gus offenses, would not be released
because of hunger strikes. All the
men now striking came within TINS
category,
clared. Michael Fitzgerald. who died
in Cork JAIL added Mr.. Shortt, was
charged with murder. and there was
decisive evidence against him.
The home secretary asserted thai
none of the prison authorities mao
fed Lord Mayor MacSwiney.
Coal Mining Mt standstill.
Great Britains coal mining Industry
has been almost completely paralyzed
nv the strike Reports of idle pits come
from all coal fields in England, Scotland
and wales. Sharp autumn weather pre-
vaiIs over the British Isles, and belief
was expressed today that this would
have an important bearing on efforts to
end the strike. No announcement so far
has been made by the National Union Of
Railvaymen and the Transport Workers
Union relative to joining the miners in
Yesterdays serious rioting near the
official residence of the premier in Down.
ing street brought the problem of unem-
ployment sharply to the attention OF the
people. Premier Lloyd George has prom
ised to bring at once before parliament
definite plans looking TO the Initiation
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