The New York herald., 1921-04-15
OPTIMISM IS HIGH
in LONDON CROWDS
Rich and Poor. Workers. IdIers
and Women Answer Call
to Help Fight Strike.
THEATRES OPEN As USUAL
Troops Fill Parks. Thousands
Rush to Ranks and Food
Plans Are Perfected.
THEATRES OPEN As USUAL

speeoi cable 10 THr New YozK HEsArn.
Copyright, 1891. by THE NEw YoEK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
London. April II.
The people of London are busy to-
night making preparations TO meet the
inconvenience of the general strike
now scheduled to take place in twenty
poor will be almost equally affected,
and the majority Of the population,
which is not sympathetic with the IN
dustrial upheaval, is turning it's hands
10 whatever offers itself TO relieve the
situation.
The customary bars of class distinc-
ton and rank have been thrown down.
Among the volunteers arc included the
unemployed and titled persons, women
as we'll as men. All who are not af-
flliated with labor in the fight are
eager to lend hand to the Govern
ment.
Not since the days OF the war when
the British nation showed the stuff that
It is made OF. has public service been Of
such vital importance. nor has Il found
a more ready response on the part OF the
people who have come forward with that
inimitable calm generally associated
with the British character
Might as Well Have Ii Now.
The strike threat has been hanging
fire for SO long that the man IN the
street thinks that I; might be just %
well 10 have II out now once and for all
The Government gives every appearance
OF having a strong backing and every
new appeal finds q ready response.
AT 10 O'Clock tomorrow night. unless
the situation changes. the Government
machinery will start TO do its best with
the underground trans and business
trains. There is certain TO be a re-
stricted train service and Il il under
stood that the Government has planned
to have auxiliary crews ready In case
the trainmen on long distance runs quit
in the middle or their Journeys. Every
effort will be made 20 operate enough
buses and suoways % handle he theatre
crowds. and the optimism OF the public
is indicated by the fact that the theatres
report the usual advance sales IN seats
FOR tomorrow. The Government has
asked that the theatres and other places
or amusement be kept open.
Hyde Park with its beautiful drives
was closed to-day. as thousands OF
troops are mobilized there. Regents
Park also Is closed. and arrangements
have been made for the distribution OF
necessary food supplies to both places.
Emergency huts have been erected and
the volunteers are tramping down the
well kept grass the warlike prepara-
tions contrasting strangely with the
peaceful atmosphere produced BY the
expanse OF flowers and blossoming
trees.
There are plans for feeding London
in case the transportation system falls
down. Hyde Park viii be the clearing
house for the receiving and distributing
OF milk Regents Park will be :he
depot and market Tor miscellaneous
foodstuffs.
Men OF Means In Paitry Jobs.
Many lorry loads or emergency
drivers departed to-day for outlying dis
tricts. These included ell sorts OF
people, men OF means. those who left
their Jobs TO aid the cause. those who
nhu no JOBS AZ hll, anu Aitf5 NtEt rN1h
eeveral women in the ranks-women
who haven't thrown lorry gears aimee
the Germans quit. but who answered the
call this time in the same spirit as bo-
fore
The Ministry OF Transportation has
Issued an order under tho emergency
powers act that all persons owning horses
or vehicles shall have them ready 70
place at the disposal or divisional COM
missioners They VIII be paid for the
use OF them. The Department of Mines
has refused 20 permit the sale OF coal
except 20 holders OF official permits, be-
ginning to-day.
The Air Ministry Is we'll fortified. The
rush of volunteers has completely filled
its ranks for the emergency. thousands
or applications having been received
The greatest rush of Tie week devel-
oped to-day ia the defence force enroll
inent MANY Nho Reid back thinking
that tho crisis was not serious reported.
and az resul, sue number of ne vi
Guteers was swelled by thousands ogpc-
cially In London. Yorkshire. Lancasaire.
Durham and Scotland. In nanyIc cases
employers promised their men fully wages
While they we're serving the Govern
ment