The New York herald., 1921-04-15
U.S.PORTS in PERIL.
BY BRITISH STRIKE.
Seamen. Facing Wage Cut,
Vote on Joining Triple
Alliance To-day.
LINERS HERE
All American Shipping and
Summer Tourist Traffic
May Be Affected.
b, the Associated Press.

LONDON, April IA serious phase
Of the threatened strike Of the Triple
Alliance is that Of the British seamen
and stewards, whose wages, It was
learned to-day, the owners have an
nounced will be reduced approximately
so per cent The reduction, however,
will not be effective pending meet
ing on April p OF the shipowners and
representatives Of the Ffremen's and
Sailors Union, TO which the seamen
and stewards belong, when the whole
question will be discussed.
Meanwhile the union is balloting on
the issue OF Joining in the general
stoppa.ge of work tomorrow. While
the seamen declare sentiment regard
ing a strike is evenly divided, the
referendum shows 1000 against the
strike with s. per cent. Of the vote In.
IL was stated AZ headquarters Of the
Firemen's and Sailors Union to-day that
even II the present ballot should result
in refusal TO participate in the strike OF
the Triple Alliance the seamen VIII not
submit TO the 80 per cent reduction.
While Il is hoped the issue can be set
tied by negotiation, strike OF the sea-
men and stewards. with consequent par
aiyzis Of transatlantic traffic. Is consid-
cred not impossible.
By reason OF the shortage OF coal
through cessation IN the output and a
threatened transport strike a resrrsnsc-
ment in the sailings Of transatlantic
liners has been necessitatcd
Passengers who Intend 70 make the
voyage on BOARD the White star Inc
steamshfp Celtic to New York were ad-
vised to start from London tonight and
remain in Liverpool for sailing Satur-
day. The Orient line has asked pas
sengers TO embark Immediately on the
boat due 20 leave London Saturday.
The Japanese and Peninsula ana
Oriental companise ere arranging .
take messengers aboard their vessels Tor
eailings OF Friday and Saturday.
There are 2l6 vessels laid up ~ the
River Tyne. the largest coaline port IN
kngland. These include sixty-five gov
ernment vessels. -,
Reports received by the union mere
from, tho Marine Workers Union OF
America saw a reduction OF 20 per cent.
IN the wages OF seamen will become et-
factive in che United States May /. and
great interest IS manifested here In the
ATTITUDE the seamen acroes the Atlantic
will take in view OF this cut
Ber, Hawton steward on the steam
shin Olympic and delegate o. the Ma
tional Union Of Stewards. Cooke, Bak-
ers and Butchers which IS affiliate
with tho English Triple Alliance, sala
here yesterday he had received Woru
that members Of his union viii walk
out to-day on all ships flying the British
flag in English ports. He declared also
that since his union Is affiliated with
the seanen's and Firemen's Union, In
which the crews OF American ships are
listed. its action may lead 10 general
tieup or shipping here as well as In
Great Britain.
N Hawton's information Is correct the
strike may affect the BeiNnsaria-
formerly tho Imperator. scheduled sail
ing of which was cancelled several DAYS
ago although II had been set for to-
morrow. It also may affect the Maure-
tania, Aoutania, Caronls. Adriatic and
Celtic. which are either in or bound for
British porta
workers on British ships now on this
side OF the Atlantic arc prevented from
ioining the strike until they reach their
home ports, as such move before the
completion Of their voyages would con-
stitute mutiny under The law.
II was reported yesterday that in
many instances bookings OF cargo for
The British ships were being received
in this port subject 70 strike conditions,
and II is known strike OF the nature
threatened would upset the plans Of
thousands OF prospective spring tour
lists.