The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-16
sr.. it is not expected the country will

ers. It is not expected the country will
suffer seriously.
Public sympathy appears 10 be en-
urely with the Government. Many peo-
plo concede that the miners are entitled
TO an increase in wages by virtue OF
the increased cost In living. but contend
tho men should have accepted the Gov
eminent offer to submit the matter to
an Independent tribunal. There IL no
doubt negotiations viii continue during
the strike and the hope Is expressed
that something In the direction of
settlement may come from the reassen-
bling of Parliament next Tuesday.
In the course OF a speech after me
miners conference to-day Robert Snil-
lie. the miners leader. expressed regret
that the strike had been forced on the
miners through the "obduracy of the
Government and Aheir unwillingness 10
recognize the equity of the miners de-
mands." He declared he had adopted
a pacifist attitude In the belief and
hope that great Industrial struggle
would be averted. but now that the
miners had decided to enforce sheir
claims by the only weapon left TO them,
he urged them to be of good cheer as
they had passed through more perilous
times.
Mr.. Smillie said unity was needed and
h, hoped there would be TO blot on the
gcii name of the Miners Federation.
Personally he would fight with them TO
III, bitter end.
There is a bitter spirit among the
nsin." said Herbert Smith vica-presi-
dent OF the Miners Federation. ri the
Government refuses TO give way only
starvation will defeat the miners and
they will go back then discontented,'
The public attitude as voiced by many
or the London newspapers is hostile to
thu positicn taken by the miners who
arr accused of lack of reason wanton
70 ~ and wickedness and a desire TO I'M
pc 20 their will UNANIMOUSLY upon the
whole nation The miners are told by
the newspapers that the public will sup
port the Government. and il is insisted
that II they strike they must learn
Though defeat and disappointment thai.
powerful as they are. the nation is still
myre powerful Alarm for the coun-
try's economic position is eravely ex-
pressed.
"a large number of important indus
trims already are in so lettering con-
dition that only the slightest push is re-
CURED to cause them 70 collapse on
tirely. and coal stoppaae would i'm
m, diately be fatal" is the opinion of the
Daily News.
The Times and Daily Nail. claiming
Qc.iHt W SIlOW LdlrUeSS 10 Doli SsCtS re-
frslin from condemnation of either. and
make suggestions by which they believe
the difficulty might be met. but declara-
tins ascribed by various newspapers to
the miners indicate such proposals, are
not likely to be considered.
Anxiety generally is expressed as 10
how the other members OF labor's triple
alliance--the railway men and transport
workers-will act In the event OF
1o Nt..kfn
Daily Herald. says Il has every hope
and every confidence that the other great
unions Will stand by the miners. and de-
clares: THE day of the capita list r. at
hand" The newspaper appeals for soli
darity on the part OF all the workers.
The Ministry of Transport says the
passenger service will not be curtalled
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 a reduction In passenger service
of anywhere from 10 to % per cent.
Following the announcement OF an
Immediate embargo on expectation OF
coal from the United Kingdom. Ameri- |
can Shipping Board officials here were
told by the British Coal Controllers |
Department that the order prohibiting |
the coaling of foreign ships was issued !
supplies. The officials were given assur- |
ances that after this had been done pas |
senger and mail carrying vessels world
receive first consideration in Tho Glloca-
iion OF stocks on hand.
The Shipping Board Officials a. so were
assured that there would be no tiscyi,u-
ina ton against American ard othe-
foreign ships In these Glasses. Antici-
pGting the eventuality OF o strike tho !
Shipping Board has arranged with the i
French Government for supplies or |
bunker coal at Brest, wnere L IL be- /
lieved there will be sufficient to meet |
the. Shipping Boards requirements foT |
fifteen days. In addition to this source |
there is considerable privately owned |
American coal at Rotterdam and Copen- |
hagen.
II is stated that there is adequate |
American owned fuel oil in British |
ports TO take care Of the shipping |
Boards oil burners. which constitute |
half Of the boards fleet now IN British !
Continental waters.