The Washington times., 1921-04-14
BRITAIN
TO SPLIT 'B|G3'
Lloyd Georges Ruse to Turn
RaiImen on Miners Leaves
Strike Order UnShaken.


today failed in an attempt to avert
the triple-alliance strike scheduled
for tomorrow night
A conference with the rail and
transport men failed to convince
them that they should not join the
miners in a general walk-out, and
there is now practically no hope of
calling off the strike.
RAIL MEN WON'T B9LT.
Having exhausted all other means,
the Premier tried, at a conference
with the spokesmen OF the rail men
and transport workers, to turn them
against the miners. He failed COM
pletely.
As the conferees left No. 10 Down
ing street. where they had deliberated
for three hours. J. II. Thomas, chief
power in the triple alliance was
asked:
"Is there any hope for settle
ment?'
II see nothing at ALL" he replied,
graveiy shaking his head.
The Premier's ingenious but ILL.,
lfated attempt had consisted or charg-
ljng that the miners were violating
Il the constitution by seeking national
ization through direct action.
/, But the heads OF the two classes of
workers that are the miners part
| Eers in the triple union declined to
accept that view OF the situation.
They fatty rejected the Premier's plea
| that they recommend that the miners
return to work. Instead they stood
| firm on their decision to go out them
selves unless the government acceed-
ed to the miners principal demands.
FIVE MILLION AFFECTED.
Unless some unforeseen development
! again averts the national calamity,
| the weekend will see more than g.
| OOO, 1000 men idle. Four million of
taese are directly or indirectly con-
trolled by the triple alliance; the
others are engaged in trades that
will be automatically affected by the
general walkout.
! The government has taken over
Hyde Park, 1T was announced this
afternoon. Kensington Gardens, Lon
don's other huge park, has been
closed to the public and has been
swatming with troops since last
week
For the first time in a fortnight
fraught with crisis, the general public
began to-day to buckle down" to
the actual realization that labor
4, means business
\ LABOR mas missed no opportunity,
especially during the last twenty -four
hours. to assure the country through
it's spokesmen that 1t does not con-
| template a revolution" However,
4 the government calls IL that and is
prepared to deal with it as scch.
Between the two the public is the
suffering third party, and in order
to reduce its suffering to the min
imum, it intensified today its prepa-
rations to work hand in hand with
the government in combating indus
| trail paralysis and famine.
| With the third menace, violence,
the government proposes to deal
ruthlessly from the outset. For
nearly a week the kingdom has been
on a war footing, and everything
IL set for the supreme test of
strength which appears inevitable.
The miners, mindful of the danger
of antagonizing public opinion by
allowing violence and sabotage to
go rampant. took steps today to
avoid even the appearance OF either.
They formed vigilance committees
to prevent disorders.
PUBLIC's BACK TO WALL.
The danger Of clashes between SOL
diers and striking miners keeps step
with the growing support from other
branches of labor which steels the
miners determination and adds to
their defiance.
Tin-helmeted soldiers are on duty
at practically all mine pits.
A new spurt to the general econ
omy movement in lighting. fuel. and
food also Is generally evident.
The drilling of troops held in readi-
ness for emergencies is familiar
| sight throughout London and in the
provinces.
Magistrates were busy all day
swearing in special constables, while
at the war office and Scotland Yard
thousands of reservists and volun-
teers for the citizens emergency force
were enrolled.
Thousands Of women volunteered
to resume their war posts as drivers
and street car conductors.