Evening star., 1926-05-05


fldent in the face Of the national
crisis" an official spokesman for the
government informed the press at
$50 o'clock tonight.
Food and fuel supplies sufficient
for many weeks" were assured, he
declared.
The secretary of the National Sailors
and Eiremens Union today told the
Associated Press that he had cabled
New York directing members of the
union aboard British ships there to
carry on for the present Future ac-
ton will depend on the ballot on the
strike question, which will not be
known until the end of the week
Crowds Growing Rougher.
Crowds in the various rougher Sec
tions Of London were beginning to
show a menacing attitude, especially
toward police, this afternoon.
In the Limehouse district, which is
one of the toughest districts in the
city, taXicabs were driven off and
other demonstrations were held. AT
Kings Cross the unfriendly crowds
were so large that many of the big
shops closed. a crowd at Southwark
chased three mounted policemen. who
were forced to fee.
Sir William in his speech in the
House of Commons said the govern
ment was empowered to call on the
crown forces to assist in maintaining
any services that the government
deemed vital.
He designated such services as cleo
tricity. maintenance of the electrical
and mechanical plant and machinery
of the port of London, the transport of
motor fuel and continuance of the
railway services.
Cheers Greet Declaration.
His pronouncement was greeted with
loud cheers from the conservative ma
jorty.
The home minister said that the
great bulk of the electric light stations
throughout London were working ad
mirably, the government employing
naval ratings and volunteers. COndi-
tions regarding the railways were i'm
proving.
Sir William said he proposed to-
night to ask the community as
whole to enroll as special constables
in much larger numbers. The $500
original specials were already on
duty, and 3.025 more had been sworn
in during the last two days.
Parade Is Forbidden.
In view of the danger that would
arise. he had directed the police not
to allow q projected mass procession
tonight into the heart of London
under the auspices of the Deptford
branch of the Communist party and
the national unemployed workers
committee.
He warned the House and the
country against alarmist rumors.
There had been rumors of riots here
and there. The minister said there
was one small riot last night in Pop
lar. one of the London suburbs.
Il want the country as whole to
stand firm in this grave crisis and
not be excited or worried by rumors,
he said.
He did not mention whether lie
had heard dhe latest reports of dis
turbances in Glasgow and Leeds.
The home minister asked the House
to ratify the royal proclamation, de-
Claring a state of emergency. This
is already effe1 se, but will lapse
seven days from date unless ratified.
The emergency was declared for a
month. Sir William said. and he
hoped it would not be necessary to
extend 1t.
Former Premier Lloyd George re-
marked that he did not take the view
that the present emergency would
pass away easily.
Henderson Gives Warning.
Arthur Henderson, who was home
secretary in Ramsay Macdonald's S
labor cabinet, charged that the
government had not been prepared
TO find means for settlement of the
industrial crisis.
IF that is going to continue to be
the attitude of this government" he
said, then the position of this
country in the next few days is going
to be such as to battle imagination.
At this there was conservative
crises Of: OH
Henderson retorted:
Let those who said oh say they
are prepared to go through the eX.
perience." Don't threaten" cried
the conservatives.
The Laborite replied that he had
not threatened. l,e VAS n much
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