Evening star., 1926-08-22
Status of British Coal Strike BY

Its last instalment amounted to f25,o0o. but
this is mere mockery among a million men.
Charitable subscriptions from all classes of So
ciety, led by the Prince of Wales, have warded
off acute misery in these coal fields. but public
opinion is hardening against this financial aid
to men who resist any concessions of hours or
wages. and those funds haye dwindled to small
amounts.
District reports. undertaken by the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, re-
veal no case of starvation or hunger anywhere,
but there can be no happiness in homes meager-
ly supported by poor relief without pocket
money. The local stores are horribly distressed
by a secret fear that after this long struggle
to maintain a good standard of life their work
ingmen may be turned off their jobs because
the improbable pits closed.
The most stubborn of them are angry with
their leaders, who now advise surrender after
months of loudmouthed promises of absolute
victory. The most reasonable among them have
been long discontented with the leadership of
men like Cook and their revolutionary counsels.
and are eager to make the best terms they can
while there is yet time. There is a steady drift
back to work in Warwickshre and some other
counties where the men are being taken on at
the old rates Of pay something less. and
there are about $4,000 men working in
good pits. This movement is increasing and
might lead to many local agreements which
would smash the power of the miners execu
tives. That is what Leader Cook most fears,
for it would be the end of him and all his
schemes. But he has powerful allies in many
districts, and especially in South Wales, where
there is no spirit of surrender. Down in Wales
they in an ugly temper which would de-
stroy Cook himself if he threw in his hand.
X X x x
The are worse More passionate
than their men folk, they assemble at the pit
heads and throw brickbats and other handy
missiles at any "blackleg' who dares to
turn to work. They threaten to tear the clothes
off the back of any woman who advises her
man to get back his job. Even in Lecestershire
melted a mob to attack a body they
met working at small colery. They
screamed and jeered along two-mile lane
through which these men had to pass under a
fusillade of stones, until strong body of po-
lice rescued them.
Ugly things happening which are kept
out Of the newspapers. Only yesterday l was
talking to director of some Welsh mines who
had just come back from a visit to the coal
fields, and he told me that one OF his district
managers murdered by stab in the back,
and that his mine officials go in fear of their
lives. Many Of these men," he said, "are per-
fectly reasonable if one can talk frankly and
privately to them. But they have a mistaken
sense of loyalty to their leaders, with whom
they disagree and they live in terror of being
assaulted and boycotted by many of their own
comrades if they express opinions contrary to
the mob passion or trade union discipline
The miners leaders are meeting in London.
"Comrade" Cook, as they call him. is a troubled
man, playing dangerous and difficult game.
AS disciple of Lenin, he knows he will be
denounced by Moscow if he makes any COM
promise on behalf of peace. Privately he does