The Washington herald., 1921-04-08
Authority Close to Lloyd
George Says Reds Di-
rected Moves
PREMIER RUSHES
WAR PREPARATIONS
Army Forces Modified;
Rail and Transport Men
Still Withhold Aid.
CspeeiL Gable to The Hecaid.,

LONDON, April 7.-"CoaI field
Communists" have obtained the up-
per hand in the miners councils.
swaying moderate leaders in Lon
don to be unwilling pilots in their
fight to throw Great Britain Into a
gigantic industrial upheavaI.
This Information was gained hrst-
hand from a figure closest to Lloyd
George during the negotiations
This informant was present at the
premier's conference ith the miners
leaders. He asserts that IL is the
positive belief Of Lloyd George and
other government oficials that the
Communistic elements at the pit
heads succeeded in influencing the
entire body of saner and more mod
crate leaders.
They won a big point in their cam
paign Of sabotage when they forced
the abandonment OF the mines TO
flooding.
Pump Absndonment Opposed.
i know myself that Hodges and
smith are opposed to letting the
mines be flooded" said this in
formant, but they came to the con-
ference under positive instructions
from the delegates that the mines
would not under any circumstances
permit the pumps to be worked un-
til' the night is won for their ma
iionsl wage-pooling plan.
1t Is also certain" he declared.
mat II the miners with the triple
alliance precipitate the threatened
glGsnic light against industry. IL
VIII be hight TO the finish with
out quarter
The transport and railroad men
are still undecided whether to an
prove of the miners refusal 10 man
the pumps at the pits II thew
finally decide not to do SO the triple
alliance will he broken. II they
support the miners. the people ana
the government. which are nov
hehung Communism, will smash the
alliance"
Negotiations Break Down.
Attempted negotiations for SET
tiement OF the British coal strike
broke down completely today.
Miners' leaders in conference with
Lloyd George refused to meet the
primary demand of coliiery owners
that steps be taken immeditely TO
prevent flooding Of the mines. The
proposed mine owner meeting was
cancelled.
As a result Britsin's preparations
for industrial warfare was speeded
up. Thousands Of soldiers were
rushed to strategic points. EreFt
food stores were collected, further
cuts in transportation were mads
and lightless nights were proposs-
The Premier personally attempt
ed to persuade the miners TO
change their position. At a long
conference this morning Lloyd
George used all the arts Of srsu-
ment At his command. The miners
declared they wished to reach an
understanding, bat could not meet
the primary demand Of the own rs.
Demanded Pumps ne worked
Thai demand was that before
gotistions be attempted $.
workers should he installed in
mines TO see that they wer
flooded.
The destruction OF property. their
spokesman told the Premier, is their
sole bargaining power now short
age Of coal will exert some pres
sure, they said, but the weather
prevents las fuR effect Thr readS
acceptance of Lloyd Gcorl a.
proposal for reopening negol.-tic
led to the hope yesterday ~
least a temporary peace wcu
arranged
Further violence was eNpcC
the Scottish and Welsh die
where authorities already
countered difficulty in att
to preserve mine propertie
ruin.
Railway men called for a con-
ference with transport workers to-
day to determine on the most ef-
fective method Of aiding the miners
The two groups met yesterday,
but did nothing more than pledge
their full support to the miners
The belief that negotiations would
be started kept those worekrs from
declaring a strike. In the pres
ent impasse. however, IL was feared
they might declare a sympathetic
strike. possibly beginning the nrst
Of next week.
'Th government will use every
means in its power to meet the
situation" Lloyd George declared.
1T is relying on the assistance
OF the great mass of British pconle {"