New-York tribune., 1920-10-19
Two Millions
In Britain Idle
By Saturda, ,
Scores of Factories Close:
Loss to Nation of Millions
of Pounds Expected if
Big Mine Strike Continues
Railway Men May Quit
Gigantic Industrial Battle
Looms With Workers Ar
rayed Against Government
From Tho TriDuno-g European Bureau

From Tho Tributoro European Bureau
Copyright 1920, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Oct 18.-The army of the
unemployed is growing faster than any
conscripted army, and unless the coal
strike is settled before the end of the
week it is estimated mat fully 10000 ,OC0
workers will be idle. The loss to the
nston will run into The millions of
pounds.
At least a million and half British
workers failed to report this morning
and as a consequence the entire in
dustrial life Of the nation is profound
ly affected. The strike of a million
miners has compelled the closing of
scores of factories throughout the
Midland
Thus far the great industrial up-
keaval is based on the matter of wages.
but there is fear that the railway men
and the transport workers Will unite
with the miners. In this case a gi-
gigantic political battle would develop,
with the mass of workers aligned
against the government
" hen Parliament reassembles to-mor-
! row, the government Immediately will
move an adjournment of the House so
that Sir Robert Horne can inform the
Commons of the situation. The Labor
members intend to participate in the
debate and probably Premier LLOYD
George will intervene.
AS Mr.. Asquith and the Labor party
plan to introduce the Irish situation
. early in the week, the Premier will have
I strenuous struggle with his opponents.
Both sides in the miners strike are
conducting vigorous war propaganda
The government is issuing various ap-
pcals and explanations through the
press, and by placardng the country
with posters setting forth itsaposition.
/ The miners have in their employ a num-
Der of publicity agents and mahy labor
leaders are taking the stump
1t is perfectly clear that the strike
cannot last long without it dcgenera-
ting into a class issue with labor ex-
| aggerating the inequalities between
wages and the profits and the owners
raising the issue of Bolshevik gold
and secret plots. The loss to the ma
tion can be estimated only roughl..
The daily amount of coal mined is
approximately 100000 tons which sells
tor an average of sixty shillings a ton
Export prices are much higher. France,
Holland, Italy, Belgium and Spain, all
OF whom are large importers of British
the effects of the strike, especially as
there is no possibility of increasing
the output of the German mines
incidentally the strike may have a
direct bearing on Franco-German rela-
tlons, for the French are unlikely to
make any move on the Ruhr' Valley
while their supply of English coal is cut
off. Besides the loss to the coal indus
Try, the closing of steel and iron works
is another blow to the nation.
No Violence Anywhere
No violence has been reported from
any mining districts, the men leaving
their work quietly. All regular soldiers
are held in their barracks in case they
are needed as transport workers or to
Quell disturbances.
1T is dlsappointment to the miners
that racing has stopped just when they
had the opportunity to enjoy the sport
the stewards of the Jockey Club hav-
ing decided that the meetings should
be abandoned for the duration Of the
strike
Most of the labor leaders outside the
ranks of the miners are using every
effort to make peace, being particularly
active in an effort to bring about medi-
alton and volunteering to assist the
government.
The weather has suddenly turned
cold, but fortunately most persons have
sufficient stocks of fuel to last for
some weeks, the exception being the
poorer classes, who may still buy in
hundredweght lots.
Robert Smillie, president of the
| miners federation, who worked for a
compromise until the mass of his fol
lowers compelled him to break off
negotiations, is busy rallyng the
miners for long strike. No over
lures toward peace can be expected
from him. while the government is
equally determined not to yield.
If an early settlement comes it is ex-
pected that it will be through the inter
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