The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-18
BRITAIN TAKES
ON WAR SPIRIT
TO BEAT MINERS
People Are Not Worrying
and Ex-Service Men Offer
to Help Public.
STRIKERS WANT TEST
Leaders Appeal to Them TO
Maintain Order and to
Fight Honorably.
MEDIATION II ExPECTEp
Government Avs
Of Other Seefimns ~
Triple Alliance
MEDIATION n ExPEcTEp

New ysrk herald nar~na.
London. Oct. ~.
England is feeling something of tho
old time war spirit In the face of the
: Industrial crisis brought on by the
strike of almost a million coal miners.
| There is a sentiment that certain dis
comfort Is coming from the restric-
tions in fuel, food, lights and trains.
but that worse days have been known
and that there is nothing very much
to worry about.
The British are used to this sort OF
thing, and at the outset the only ap-
parent apprehension Is nervousness
among the miners families, especially
the women, who are wondering how
they will make both ends meet on a
pound a week, which Is the average
sum received from the union funds by
the strikers.
The force Of the great strike will not
begin to be felt until tomorrow when
the workers VIII not go to their jobs
as usual. Until then no estimate is pos
sible of the actual sentiment in the mine
districts. but so far there seems to be a
solid determination among the men for
test Of strength. Reports from the
pits to-day indicate no disturbances.
while several local leaders appealed to
the men to maintain order and disci-
pline and "act honorably.'
Every Coal Pit to he IdIc.
Every coal pit in the United Kingdom
win be Idle Tomorrow. and while the
factories are determined to do their
utmost 20 operate Under short time.
thousands Of workers in other lines will
be affected and this La certain TO grow
more serious every day.
The only indication In London to-
night that there is q strike lies in the
slightly darkened streets, the absence OF
the glare OF Illuminated advertising
signs and gloomy store windows, closed
as n result of Government order.
The sugar ration has been cut almost
one-half, but trains are running regu-
iarly and there Is little anriety. because
Mr.. Lloyd George says there Is plenty
OF coal.
Although there has been no further
definite move by either party. 1t Is
enthusiastically expected that an effort
will be made soon to bring them to-
gether. II is not considered likely that
the Government will open negotiations.
but seems to be awaiting the decisions
of the conferences OF the two other sec
tlons OF the Triple Alliance. The rail-
waymens executive committee has called
a full meeting of delegates for Wednes-
day to consider sympathetic action. The
parliamentary committee of the Trade
Union Congress is also meeting Wednes-
day.
Chief Interest of Public.
Public interest centres In the moves
OF the railwaymen and transport work
ers' unions. II they vote sympathetic
strike, the country probably faces the
greatest Industrial crisis In It's history.
but while Il Ia rumored the Government
already has planned for such grave
emergency, there is belief that IT Is
more likely the Government will try for
mediation since the leaders have been
emphasizing the calamity that would
befall the country IL the strike becomes
general in all trades.
MUCH uepeluS upon lhS oVh"et III NiiS
House OF Commons, which reconvenes
Tuesday. The strike is the principal
issue to be threshed out and a strong
statement from Premier Lloyd George
is expected. Yesterday Mr.. Asquith.
speaking at Newcastle, referred to the
strike menace and called It ''the impend-
ing shadow OF great national calam-
ity." lie said:
None would grudge an addition to
the miners remuneration IL il we're
justified, but that there Is any excuse
for plunging the country into the un-
measured dangers and sufrerings OF In
dustrlal war would be denied with prac-
ticai unanimlty by the whole nation"
Meanwhile the public In many quar-
ters has come forward with offers Of
assistance TO the Government. AT the
ministries OF transport and food there
are long Hines OF men eager to serve In
any capacity. There Is great deal
OF unemployment In England and thou
so nds OF former service men are tobless.
Earl Halg said THE ex -oervice men OF
all ranks now stand united. We are In
position to exercise a powerful steady
ing influence In the present trouble
The newspapers are all publishing q
list of don'ts for the public, mostly
about boarding food. wasting coal, cleo
trlcity or gas. travelling without neces-
sity and losing faith In the Govern
ment