Evening star., 1921-04-08
ENGLAND HEADED
FOR TR|HESTR|KE,
DESPITE PREMIER
Lloyd George Again Fails to
Bring Opposing Sides Into
Agreement.
RAIL AND TRANSPORT
DECIDE ON WALK-OUT

Tuesday Date Fixed-Govern-
ment to Call Out Army and
Navy Reserves.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, April S.-The rail-
way men and transport work.
ers this evening decided to strike
in sympathy with the miners
Tuesday morning. failing the re-
opening Of negotiations for a
settlement of the coal strike.
LONDON. April s.-All efforts by
Mr.. Lloyd George, the prime minister.
to bring the miners and the mine
owners together to discuss the diff
ferences which led to the strike in
the coal fields having failed, the
miners executives went into confer
ence this afternoon with their part
ners in the triple aiIiance-the trans
port workers and the railway men-to
decide when the members of the al
lied organizations should be called
out in a sympathetic strike.
Government to Call Oat Troops.
The intention Of the British gov
ernment to issue an appeal for volun-
teers for the transport and other es-
sential services, in view Of the pro-
ep.ctive triple alliance strike. was an
nounced in the house Of compons late
today by Mr.. Lloyd George. A royal
proclamation would call up the army
and navy reserves, he said.
The government also intends to en-
roll special constables and form a
special emergency force for period
of ninety days to protect the police
in the execution of their duty. the
prime minister added.
Last nights decision by the prime
minister, at the suggestion OF the
more moderate labor interests. to in
vite the miners and owners to . con-
ference this morning. at which the
first subject for discussion would be
the resumption Of pumping to clear
the mines of water. led the general
public to believe asseftlemenk was In
sight and that the impendfn8 strike,
promising to be the zgFehfest in the
history of the country. voaid be
averted.
Miners Aaanant In stand ~
The miners. however. were sdamant
in their stand. insisting there should
be no restriction regarding the Ques-.
tions to be discussed by the conferees
and an exchange OF letters between
them and Mr.. Lloyd George failed to
change their minds.
The government was just as firm in
it's view that the threatened destruc-
tion Of the mines by flooding should
be first considered
to be known that deadlock had been
reached and that apparently nothing
short of a backdown by the govern
ment could avert the Industrial up
heayal.
The triple alliance. which has now
taken over command of labor's side OF
the controversy, has membership of
500, 900 miners. COZ. 900 railwaymen and
e50.e00 transport workers. 1t 10 the
child of Robert Smillie, who has been
and who recently resigned the chieftain-
ship of the miners federation
Yssns men to Lead Strike.
The leadership of the strike. however.
will be in the hands Of the younger
men who brought about the present
situation in the belief that the reduc-
ton Of wages which the miners were
asked to accept would also be forced
upon the other workers should the min
ers' strike fail.
The mine owners were in waiting
throughout the day to meet the miners.
and they were still al the board Of trade
when the news of the break reached
them.
Considerable opposition to the strike
among the rank and file Of the rail-
waymen appeared today. The Liverpool
union telegraphed to ]. H. Thoms. gen.
eral secretary Of the raiiwaymen's
union. declaring the Liverpool men
would not strike unless a ballot Of the
men favored such action.
In their reply to this invitation to
the noon conference. the miners said
they were ready to meet the owners
and the government soon as we hear
from you that the conference to be
held entirely freed from any prelimi-
nary conditions as to what is to be
discussed or not to be discussed
To this Mr. Lloyd George reptile ed !:
We have never suggested that any
limitations should be imposed upon
the discussions. but as regards the
cussed the national interest in the
preservation of the mines is para
mount and must take first place.
Miner. Again Confer.
The miners reassembled at 2:30
O'Clock to consider the government s
reply TO their refusal to confer
Leaders Ct the National Fedora ton
of Transport Workers and of the
National Union of Railway Men. which
examinations have voted to support
the miners in the great coal strike.
decided this morning upon strike by
the two unions.
Oficial announcement that the
triple alliance" had decided upon a
strike was made shortly after noon
today. A general strike of the rail-
readers and transport workers will
be called unless the striking miners
and the owners of British coal pits
reach settlement.
After the consultation between the
transport workers and the railroad
men, j. II. Thomas. Il leader of the
rafIroaders. emerged from the confer.
ence room appearing much dis
tressed.
"A triple alliance strike has been
decided upon,' he declared 1T will
be controlled by the joint executiy.
committees of the three bodies which
will meet this afternoon to take
mcnts."
OppOaes Psemier's Plan.
Objections to the suggestion of Mr.
Lloyd George that the government
would participate in a meeting of tn.
parties directly affected by the strik.
we're made by many labor leaders
Vernon Hartshorn, member OF tn.
house Of commons and a leader Of tn.
miners union. declaring that tn.
BRINE minister's offer was not "un,
conditional"
that both the government and tn
executive committee OF the union wer
i'cing blamed for bungling matters
L was argued that IL the prime min
'ster had not raised the difficult poin
f"gardinS the return of pump me,
- work, pending negotiations. tn
'"Iers and miner. would have mS
S.xfi nf