Evening star., 1926-05-12
Constitutional Government Wins.

After several days OF seeking. a
formula for the adjustment of the
general strike in Great Britain has
been found, and today the word goes
forth to the union forces to resume
work. The government carries its
point that there can be no resump-
ton of negotiations for the settle
ment Of the miners strike until the
general strike is abandoned. The
Trade Union Congress carries its
point that the miners must be re
3'eved. The result is that as soon
SIS the workers return to their tasks
the government will undertake 70
continue the coal mine subsidy for
VI period and will seek an adjustment
OF the wages and hours dispute in
that industry.
The general strike has lasted eight
days and has caused an enormous
loss TO business in Great Britain and
40 the government through the adop-
ton Of emergency measures. 1t has
cost the workingmen heavily and the
union organization an incalculable
sum in strike benefits. Nobody has
profited. Everybody has lost some
thing.
When it was ordered the general
strike was characterized by the min
istry as blow at constitutional gov
ernment. which was denied by the
1ofN loo @f
words has been waged on that issue.
The government acted on the basis
Of its declaration that the strike was
q challenge to the established pub
lie procedure. 1t yielded nothing. 1t
insisted that there could be no move
for the settlement of the initial
trouble, the miners strike, until the
general strike was Cancelled. It has
therefore won its major and vital
contention.
Resumption OF the coal subsidy is
a concession, made for the purpose
of restoring order and industry. The
Trade Union Congress will doubtless
contend that the government would
never have agreed to this resump-
ton but for the pressure of the gen.
eral strike. and will therefore seek
to justify the strike order. But it is
not assured that there would have
been no resumption of the subsidy If
there had been no general strike.
1t is not Immediately important
whether government or union wins"
in this settlement. The essential
fact is that way has been found
to resume industry without further
cost, without bloodshed. Later will
possibly come important political re-
actions from the strike. Militant
J.aborites will perhaps seek to re-
gain parliamentary control. The gov
ernment may seek the enactment of
laws which will strengthen it's hands
against a possible Unemployment Of
the general strike weapon in the
future. Out of efforts to secure such
laws may come realignments in
Parliament. possibly a general cleo
tion, in which the lines will again be
drawn between laborism and con-
Servatism.
In this crisis the British people
have borne themselves admirably
They have met the situation in good
temper, with patience and with 10y
atty to government. Although sorely
hit by the general strike, they ad-
iusted 10 the difficulties. They bore
their losses uncomplainingly and Of
fered themselves to the government
Tor all necessary services. 1t was
this spirit on the part Of the unor-
ganized public that enabled the gov
eminent to hold firm for it's major
contention against any settlement
without the cancellation of the gen.
eraI strike order.
Gloomy predictions that this strike
meant the breakup Of the British
empire have been proved false. True,
the real problem has not been solved.
Radicalism prevails to a certain eX
sent in Great Britain. II remains a
menace, to be dealt with hereafter.
II this present settlement is a com
promise, however. it leaves the forces
of law and order stronger than be-
fore as the strike has at least proved
that the great body Of the British
people are unwavering in their sup
port of constitutional government.
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