New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-14
Decisions of Conference
of Miners, Railway and
Transport Mem To-day
May Affect West Europe
Commons Is Urged
To Act Immediately
Strike i'm Coal Mines
Likely To- Be Aided i'm
France and Germany
By Arthur S. Draper

Frou, Tho Tribune's European Bureau
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Sept. 13.-Decisions to be
reached here at meetings of the leaders
of the triple alliance-coal miners
railway men and transport workers.
tomorrow, and the coal miners execu-
tives Wednesday, will settle the cues
ton whether Great Britain, and posi-
bly, the whole of western Europe are to
be thrown into great industrial con-
fusion.
The weight of public opinion and the
sober judgment of the most responsible
labor officials are opposed to the coal
miners strike which threatens, but
there is no doubt that the situation is
serious.
Though Parliament does not meet
until the middle of October. cam
paign is being pushed to have Com
mons assemble Immediately and dis
cuss labor conditions. The government
Is most unlikely to follow this course,
as it feels that Commons could do
nothing more than indorse the Cabi-
nets action. The possibility of a gen
eral election this fall is growing and
II the miners strike and Premier Lloyd
George considers that there is any
question of majority of the country
being, behind him, he will appeal to
the electorate.
Should the British miners quit at
the end OF the month there may be
sympathetic action on the part of the
miners of France. Belgium and Ger
many. 1t is no secret that the miners
executives have sounded labor all over
the world and suggested common
action. They say they have received
favorable replies from, Germany and
France.
Internationally the British negotia-
tions for the establishment of trade
relations with Russia have been COM
Dictated by domestic labor troubles.
Inc departure for home of the Russian
trade envoy, Leo Kameneff, has been
bolshevik agent has been interesting
himself in British labor and trying to
encourage political action. The fact
that Gregory Krassin remains in Lon
don IS proof of the Premier's desire
to lose no opportunity to do business
with Russia.
The announcement in The Daily Her
aid, the organ of the extremists of
British labor. that the Russians had
offered it approximately $4,000,
brought matters to head and led to
'A'~ SoN NSAA NCP0A lux e VI hdIHGneU. Inc
press is virtually unanimous in sup
porting the Premier, the only surpris-
ing feature being the moderation with
which it discusses the offer of what
amounts to Bolshevik subsidy to the
English joSrnal. The Herald is now
publishing daily letters urging it to
accept or refuse the offer. Apparently
officials do not intend to intervene.
The British believe that the Riga
peace conference will reach salts
factory settlement and Anglo Russian
trade negotiations have been deferred
until after the Polish delegates have
met the Bolsheviki.
Meanwhile the government has gone
ahead with plans to feed the country
should the miners strike a FORTNIGHT
hence. Certain centers have been
selected for food depots, motor trucks
hav. been assembled and supplies have
been concentrated in the ports and
cities. The experience gained in the
railway strike year ago is proving
valuable now. If the miners quit, it
Is almost certain that the railway men
will join them.