New-York tribune., 1921-05-15
proclamation Ready as
word Is Received Gov
ernor of kentucky Has
Sent Troops TO Mingo
Firing slackens
On Call for Truce
Passengers Hide Under
Seats as Bullets Riddle
Trains ON w. Va. Line;
Death List Is Increasing

wAsHINGT0N, May 14.--Proclama-
a,r. were prepared and signed by
S,.sident Harding late to-day declar-
!, : state of martial law in Mingo
cs,rtr. W. Va, and Pike County, KY,
slang the interstate border, the area
.s.eted by the coal strike riots. The
.v..lsmations were turned over to Sec
,.tarv of War Weeks, to be issued in
s;. discretion shouA reports from the
,,,nhled regiop make such acton SEQ.
esssry.
At the Ear Department orders were
,.snarss ir,sesds.stasasg a1sssr the signing
i ~ zas;iamarlons, informing Major
ryaeral George w. Read, commanding
no 5th Corps Area and Fort Benjamin
harrison. Indiana, of the Presidents
,,tion and ordering him to hold a suf-
icient number of troops in readiness
b move to make martial law effective
+ the area comprehended by the Presl-
dents proclamations.
Kentucky Troops on Patrol
When President Harding decided on
tbe drastic action, as result of con-
ierences with Secretary Weeks and
Senator Sutherland, of West Virginia,
Il was intended that the proclamations
should be issued Immediately. A few
moments after they were signed, how
.eyer, telegram was received at the
White House from Governor Morrow
Of Kentucky announcing that the situ-
ion looked better and that state troops
lad been ordered TO patrol the Ken
ucky side of the border.
It was this information that caused
the postponement of the issuance Of
the procIamations. After another
conference with Mr.. Weeks the Presi-
dea decided TO leave the papers in
the War Secretary's hands and to give
hin authority TO issue them at his
discretion, Secretary Weeks imme-
dately returned to the War Depart
nent and instructed Major General
March to prepare orders to take the
necessary steps to make martial law
effective should the proclamations be
promulgated.
No word had been received at the
War Department tonight that Gsn.
eTal Read had decided to send Federal
troops into the Mingo country. Should
General Read decide to move troops
into the affected region, it was con-
sidered probable that they would lie
sent from Chillicothe, Ohio.
Request for Federal Troops
Secretary Weeks made public tele-
grams received from the Governors of
West Virginia and Kentucky describ-
Ing the situation in Mingo County and
requestng that Federal troops take
charge of the situation. The wire from
Goyernor Morrow of Kentucky said:
Lawless situation existing along
kentucky and West Virginia border
line, Tug River boundary between Pike
s.opnty, KY, and Mingo, w. Va. Situa-
a0A beyond the control of state forces
:. = my command. Join in request of
eoyernor OF West Virginia made to me
9aa raai proper military authorities that
FEDERAL !, troops be sent there to control
me situation and restore law and or
FTa1ssengers and employees on Norfolk
estern trains in the strike area
..n a1se oeen forced by flying bullets to
s saac re1uge beneath the seats of the
isls, according to complaint made to
uusvYsrnor W Morgan of West Virginia by
y: Nj, >. jerks, general manager of the
,nailiroad, % and forwarded to Secretary
Mseks, as A message from Governor
Aergan said
ti,lss aore than half dozen reported
Tans, 1T,,leo, many wounded in Mingo County.
Nv avmhs eelng shot at, women and chill
E.sn Esatnar ariven from homes. Firing from
i,tvusay iortvUs;!y. INTO West Virginia for last
,y;..tSs-eight NH hours continues unabated.
Y si'a the authorities absolutely unable
.o,,s y cope with the situation. Are we
,ssupelied y to witness further slaughter
!, = innocent, law-abiding citizens. with
,sva ~ signs Of relief from the Federal
e FRANKFORT, Ky, May ID. - Two
'0mpanies of Kentucky Nat;onsj
(ContiHueb nm oens gon.N