The Washington times., 1921-04-10
HOPE|N
BR|T|SHSTR|KE
Conference OF Big 8 With Mine
Owners Tomorrow May Avert
Nationwide Tie-up.

LONDON, April 10.--Despite the
industrial peace conference scheduled
for tomorrow, the government today
went ahead with plans to combat q
threatened general strike. Strong
forces of bumpers gathered from
naval ranks were dispatched to the
most turbulent areas Of Scotland and
Wales.
NAVAL PUMPERs DRAFTED.
The naval bumpers were drafted to
combat the menace to the coal mines
from the volumes of water which
have seeped into the abandoned pits
since the strike of mine employees. II
is expected they will man the pumps
and clear the pits and In event of 4
general strike operate the proper
ties.
All factions hailed the scheduled
conference as an indication that ar
bitration will result in peace. News
papers were general in expressing be-
lief the end OF the threatened indus
during the last few weeks.
1t was pointed out, however. that
rEumption of negotiations does not
N Pm that peace has been estab-
tiAed, and fear was expressed lest
me conference might bring the same
Lrooult as the previous conferences
sssng the last few weeks.
k<A1PE LIES IN CONFERENCE.
was said that even IL the confer
sdid result unfavorably, there WAS
FN likelihood of carrying out the
~ ysday strike order. and that the
rls\st that could be expected from the
oonference was postponemens Of
action. There was also the possibf-
ity 1t was said, of agreeable solutfoa,
judging from the indications of the
labor leaders that they desire medix-
tion rather than forcing showdown
Immediately. At the conference to-
morrow the triple alliance leaders
will meet with the owners. the gov
ernment acting as an interested but
impartial observer. All questions are
open for discussion at the conference.
AS an evidence of good will, the
labor leaders urged the men to alb
stain from interference with safety
operations.
The response to the call Of the gov
ernment for army and navy reserv-
lists and recruits for new defense
units to be sent to stricken areas was
quick. Applicants swarmed about re-
cruiting stations until late last night.
and many had to be turned away.
HIGHER WAGES NOT UNLIKELY.
1t was believed owners might agree
to higher wages than they first pro-
posed. 1t was also considered possible
the miners have won the assurance OF
the government that a national wage
board would hear their demands and
award them increased wages. should
situations justify.
On sea as well as on land, Great
Britain stripped for action today to
meet the menace of a general labor
upheaval.
Unostentatiously the warships and
destroyers slipped upstream into the
main Welsh ports, such as Cardiff,
Swansea. Tenby, Pembroke, Fish
guard. Cardigan, Newport, Carna-
varvon and Kidwelly, and dropped
anchor to await orders.
Throughout the day these war YES
sells have been busy transporting
naval units and their volunteers,
police volunteers as we'll as military,
from stragetic centers to the ports
nearest the mining areas where the
| strikers are truculent. The utmost
secrecy was observed in order not to
give the laborites an opportunity to
act before the crown forces were on
the scene to protect property.