The Washington times., 1920-09-16
THREE CRISES
FACE BRITAIN
Ireland, National Coal Strike,
and international Questions
Cause Concern.

LONDON. Sept. 16.-Neyer In the
long and crowded history OF the Brit
ish Empire has a prime msnlster-lhe
helmsman OF the British ship OF state
been buTdened with such noun
famous cares and responsibilities as
rest today upon the shoulders OF
David Lloyd George.
Three immediate crises confront
the Welsh statesman
Widespread turbulence and as
sassinstions throughout the United
Kingdom N Terence McSwiney the
hunger-striking lord mayor OF Cork.
dies in Brixton jail. or any or the
eleven Sim Fein hunger strikers die
In the Cork jail
THE increasing menace OF actual
civil war in Ireland. now that the
negotis tons between the Sim Fein
military and civil authorities and the
Irish moderates for a dominion home
rule scheme have broken down.
3-The national coal strike on Sep
tember rs, which threatens to plunge
the industry OF the nation into chaos
and may possibly spread into actual
Industrial war.
RUSSIA A PROBLEM.
In addition TO the tremendous do
mestic problems there are interna-
tionsl questions OF world wide magni-
tude demanding the immediate atten-
tion OF the premier. Lloyd George
acted as the Intermediary between
Soviet Russia and the allies during
the negotiations that were in progress
while the Russians were advancing
through Poland and took the lead in
the movement to prevent the allies
from being drawn into a new war.
These negotiations have been halted,
but the premier is still working to
effect commercial agreement be
tween Russia and the allies.
The premier is expected to go to
PaHs within the next week to confer
with Premier Millerand on the Russo
Polish situation. The premier de-
sires to be relieved OF sole RESPONSE
bility for negotiations between Rus
sia and allied Europe and wants the
entente to enter with Great Britain
in a united policy so that the Allies
can show the Soviet single front.
Lloyd George and Italy were re-
sponsible for the movement in favor
OF moderate policy toward Germany
which would give the German govern
ment concessions in the execution of
the treaty, but this and differences
over Russia came perilously near
bringing Great Britain and France to
an open break. These differences
have now been patched up and a new
ambassador is going to Parts to
cement the entente. but there are
still possibilities of further trouble
over the execution Of the Treaty of
Versailles.
The critical situation in the near
east, where the Bolsheviki are threat
ening India and British interests in
Persia. is actually matter for the
foreign office. but the hand of Lloyd
George is seen in all decisions that
are taken in that direction.
The British government is hard
pressed for money. Taxes have
mounted to unprecedented heights
and gigantic expenditures are neccs-
sary daily to maintain the military
establishments in Ireland, Egypt,
Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and India.
1t is the bad financial plight OF the
treasury which increases the fears
over the labor situation. A coal strike
and resultant paralysis of industry
would add heavily to the financial
burdens of the government. Even
some of the labor leaders arc anxious
on this account.
Arthur Henderson, Laborite MEM
Der of Parliament, wants the premier
to intervene personally in an cHort TO
avert the coal strike.
Unless a peaceful solution Is found
by means of negotiations the country
will find itself in the throes Of one of
the gravest industrial struggles in it's
history" said Henderson. so long as
there is the slightest chance OF a
peaceful settlement being reached.
nothing could be more harmful than
for the press to resort to an offensive
campaign against the miners. Until
a strike has actually begun there Is
always some chance of averting ii.
ION the labor side. however slight
the possibility OF peace may be, the
door is never banged, barred, and
bolted. But there are always people
ready to aggrevate a serious situation.
81 can see little or no prospect o. me
matter being settled peacefully ex-
cept as the result OF direct negotia-
tions between the prime minister on
behalf OF the government, on one
hand, aZ1 the Miners Federation on
the other. The proposal for a royal
commission is not worthy of consider
alton"