The New York herald., 1921-04-09
PREMIER OUTLINES
GOVERNMENT DUTY
Lloyd George Says Mines
Must Be Protected From
Destruction.
NATION IMPERILLED
Confronted by Threat to
Destroy Its Resources,
He Tells Commons.
WILL USE EVERY FORCE
Calls for Volunteer Workers
and Emergency Force to
Help Police.
WILL USE EVERY FORCE

hCip lohhSS
SpeciaI co6I. TO THE NEw YORK HxrArp.
CrppriGLt. 1891. BIZ The Nnv ionK Hshafr
New York Herald Bureau.
London. April .. !
Premier Lloyd Georges final appeal
in the House of Commons this after
noon. in which he said that the action
Of the miners and the other members
OF the triple alliance is an attempt by
direct action to inti,nidate Parliament
and the nation. was as follows:
II deeply deplore the cieerless char
acter OF the announcement ] have to
make. In reply to the invitation |
addressed TO the Miners Association
and the Miners Federation to attend
Joint conference to first discuss and
dispose of the question of pumping
and preservation of the mines. the
Mining Association wrote asserting.
The Miners Federation replied that
they were still willing to attend con-
ference without any conditions to the
subjects to be discussed. AS that let
ter did not meet the point wrote
again to Mr.. Hodges (secretary) and
received a further reply to the effect
that the Miners Federation considered
that the pumping condition stood in
the way of resumption Of negotia-
tions.
ssv>A Anf
II again wrote to the federation say
ing that in view of the grave conse-
uuences involved il was difficult to un-
derstand how any discussion designed to
promote settlement could usefully be
held unless it was agreed first that the
tier to be decided was the safety Of
the mines. A conference took place in
the Board OF Trade this afternoon and
The mine owners were present, but the
miners did not attend. Consequently the
meeting was adjourned without dis
cussion.
From these negotiations and the
statements deliberately made to me yes
terday it is plain that the executive
committee OF the Miners Federation 10
resolved to let the mines 60 to destruc-
ton III the belief that they will intin1i-
date the nation into surrender. The
destructive character of this policy
fundamentally affects the livelihood OF
the miners themselves. Whole villages
which derive their entire support from
the mining industry will become dere-
lict, thousands OF families will be de-
prived OF their means of subsistence and
from the point Of view of the nation
as a whole the result will be no less
ca lamitous. To allow the mines to be
ruined by flooding is to strike at the
foundation of the industry and the life
Of the whole community.
1T is accordingly the duty OF the
Government as the trustee of the nation
to prevent this disaster. more especially
as 1t has become increasingly clear. In
some places at any rate, that large
bodies OF miners by threats and violence
are preventing this necessary work from
being done by mine officials and those
willing 10 help.
Must Give Protection.
Protection, and adequate protection.
must be given those engaged in presery-
ing these vital assets OF the community.
No other course is open. The nation for
the first time in its history is con-
fronted by an attempt to coerce il by
the destruction of II resources into
capitulation.
III newspaper accounts are correct
sincerely trust they are not--there is
a concerted plan to suspend the principal
services which are essential to the life of
the country. We're that threat to be
materialized the supply of food and
other immediate necessities of life will
be denied all classes OF the population
unless volunteers come forward to carry
on the minimum OF transport work re-
quired TO maintain the essential national
and municipal service.
1.-The King proposes to call for voiun-
teers 10 help carry on all these services
and an announcement will be made tell
/ ing the volunteers OF the centres where
they can register. These, too, will need
adequate protection in the discharge OF
I their patriotic duties. for It is no less
essential In the face of such widespread
disturbances OF the ordinary machinery
and livelihood OF the community that
law and order shall effectively be main
tanned. The police force. even though
strengthened by special constsbles, TO;
which an appeal will be issued, VIII b.
| insufficient in these cases. In view o.
the nuruber OF points which will require
protection from organized interference
/ by bodies OF workers. They are entitled
70 look for Government protection OF
| the armed forces of tho Crown. This
I protection the Government has decided
TO afford them in whatever measure may
I be necessary.
Recruif nm Emergency Force.
"The Government therefore proposes
to make a special appeal TO patriotic
citizens 20 enlist lr an emergency force
to be recruited. not for the purpose .,
interfering In any way with the wage
dispute, but solely TO support the police
/ In the fllfimcnt OF their duties 10 the
community.
THE enlistment OF this force. which
we propose to call the Defense Force,
will be for ninety days AZ the ordinary
rates Of pay and allowances. The terri
\ toriai force viii not he embodied OF
asked 10 serve, but members of the ter
rtorial force and cx-dervice men gen.
4 orally will be especially invited TO en-.
list The enlistment viii begin to-mor-
\ row
THE Government nlso has come tc
the conclusion that u n necessary. with
the same object In view. to strengthen
| tho armed forces OF the Crown now
serving. and has therefore advised hif
Majesty that the situation which nov
has arisen justifes the iesuc OF proc
lamation calling out tho armed reserves
N has been represented In some quar-
\ tors that there n cause 10 fear that the
present dispute will lead TO deliberate
atta,k upon wage workers There Is nc
I Justification OF any kind for such "A sug-
, gcstion. The Government mover an,
Dounced any opinion nor formed any
opinion upon the rates and wages Of
fersd BY coal owners to miners. and
\ which have never been discussed be-