New-York tribune., 1920-10-16
Britain L aces
1ie-Up i'm Coal
Mime Strik e
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(CuhUhueu from page one)
sengcr services will not be curtailed d
the first two or three days of strike
full service being kept up to allow the
people to travel home After that
pressure has subsidized, however, there
will be reduction in passenger
service Of anywhere from 10 to 20 per
cent,
Ban on Coaling Temporary
American Shipping Board officials
here were told by the British Coal Con-
troller's Department this afternoon
that the order prohibiting the coaling
of foreign ships was issued to enable
the checking up of available supplies.
The officials were given assurances that
after this had been done passenger
and mail carrying vessels would re-
ceive first consideration in the allo-
cation of stocks on hand
The Shipping Board officials also
were assured that there would be no
aiscrimina against American and
other foreign ships in these classes.
Anticipating the eventuality Of a
strike. the Shipping Board has ar
ranged with the French government
for supplies of bunker coal at Brest,
where it is believed there will be suf-
feient to meet the Shipping Boards
requirements for fifteen days. In addi-
ton to this source, there is consdera-
BILE privately owned American coal at
Rotterdam and Copenhagen.
1t is said that there is adequate
American-owned fuel oil in British
ports to take care of the Shipping
Boards oil burners, which constitute
Continental waters.
Determined to Go Out
Although two days remain in which
some unexpected turn may be given
TO the alarming situation created by
the decison of the miners to strike,
hope at the moment is at a low ebb
All reports from the mine fields show
the majority of miners are determined
to have nothing to do with the wage
proposal of the owners and are ready
even eager-to fight it out.
There is a bitter spirit among the
men," said Herbert Smith, vice -presi-
dent of the Miners Federation to- day
"If the government refuses to give
way, only starvation will defeat the
miners and they will go back then dis
contented."
The public attitude, as voiced by
many of the London newspapers, is
hostile to the position taken by the
miners, who are accused Of lack Of
reason, wanton folly, wickedness and
a desire to impose their will ty-
rannously upon the whole nation The
miners are told by the newspapers that
the Isiblic will support the government
and it is insisted that if they strike
they muys learn through defeat and
disappointment that, powerful as they
are, the nation is still more powerful
Alarm for the country's economic posi-
tlon is eravely expressed.
"a large number of important in
dustries already are in so tottering a
condition that only the slightest push
is required to cause them to collapse
entirely, and a coal stoppage would
Immediately be fatal" is the opinion
of The Daily News.
The Times and The Daily Mail, claim
ing desire to show fairness to both
sides, refrain from condemnation of
either and make suggestions by which
they believe the difficulty might be
met, but declarations ascrbed by
various newspapers to the miners in
dicate such proposals are not likely to
be considered
The Laborite mouthpicce The Daily
Herald, says it has every hope and
every confidence that the other great
unions will stand by the miners, and
declares, The day Of the capitalist is
at hand" The newspaper appeals for
solidarity on the part of the workers.