The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-04-05
BRITISH PREPARE
MILITARY FOR USE
in MINERS STRIKE
Government to Plead for
Support of Nation in the
Commons To-day.
GRAVE CRISIS is SEEN
Troops Not Used Yet, but
Are Ready-May Precipi-
tate General Election.
GRAVE CRISIS is SEEN
WORKERS NOT PREPARED
Flooding of Mines Continues,
With Disorders Reported
i'm Various Points.

Special Cable to THE New YonK HERALD.
Copyright. 1921, By THn Nxw YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, April 4.
The strike of the coal miners reached
the stage tonight where the Govern
ment is ready to throw down the
gauge of social war in England to
labor, which, however, is not quite
ready to take it up. The most serious
industrial crisis the Kingdom has faced
for years seems impending.
1t was learned in the lobby of the
House of Commons tonight that the
Governments resolution tomorrow
will call upon the nation TO back up
the Government, il necessary, in fight
ing the miners and other members of
the triple alliance, railway men and
transport workers.
Despite the incendiary character Of
the week end meetings. the conserva-
tive elements of the transport workers
and railway men are working hard to
avert a situation in which they will
nave 10 30 Oul OH SlTihc " ulCn uP
the miners, thereby undoubtedly pre-
cipitating general election, with con-
ditions favoring the Government.
Sober labor leaders admit they are
not yet ready to try that issue. Gov
trnment spokesmen tonight made no
attempt to minimize the gravity OF the
situation. The Admiralty and the
War Office cancelled all leaves, and
while 1t was stated that no men with
naval ratings were employed in pump
ing water to save the mines and that
no troops had as yet been sent to
SCOTLAND and other points where dis
order has broken out. 1t is plainly
TINTED that the entire forces OF the
Government will be available if the
occasion arises.
Attempts Made to Compromise.
That occasion might be an organized
attempt TO interfere with the volunteer
workers who have responded to the call
of the owners to man the pumps at
the mines. Despite the Governments
desire to fight out the issue here and
now. many elements on Doth sides are
seeking TO effect compromise. They
are trying to bring about condition
in which the Government will have to
intervene tomorrow by proposing new
negotiations.
At the conclusion Of meeting OF the
executive committee OF the transport
- s~f.t
they should ask 70 have a delegate at
the meeting Tomorrow and tnat fail
ing O desire OH the part or the Govern
ment to intervene in view OF the coal
dispute or in the event Of tho Govern
ment or the coal mine owners refraining
from reopening negotiations the dele
gates OF the unions concerned would
have no option but tc ask the members
to cease work whenever the cal comes"
Assurance was given that the branch
of the unions connected with shipping
could be counted upon to respond the
moment a general strike policy became
necessary. The unions Of the railway
men continue 10 advise headquarters
that the strike must be seen through
TO the bitter end"
Inc board OF TraQe ADMITS INdL con-
ditions at the mines arc serious. The
flooding continues. largely because Of
the inability OF the emergency crews TO
do work to which they are unac-
customed. But most OF the mines and
the richest pits have not yet been af-
fected. The owners are concentrating
their efforts in ca ring for these. and
where necessary are letting the less inn
pcrtant pits go BY the board.
Trade hoard Expects WORST
The Board OF Trade says that the
situation Is gloomy. and cautions the
public that serious times are coming.
In regard 70 the railway men and trans
port workers the Board OF Trade 'ex-
poets the worst One Board of Trade
official said tonight that 1t was a fight
to the finish between the Government
and direct action. The strike. he said,
was an ugly demonstration for direct
action. and II the public Is against direct
action It must condemn the miners.
A peculiar situation within the ranks
of the railway men ts that Bromley,
who hitherto has beer one Of the most
radical OF the railway men. IL against
the strike He and Thomas have long
been enemi-s within the railroad union.
Il was Bromley who advocated q gem
eral strike on account OF the shootlugs
OF Irish railway men at Mallow. Now
he apparently Is so piqued at the failure
OF labor 20 respond ID that call that he
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