Evening star., 1926-05-05
The British Strike.


No change is marked in the British
strike situation today. The govern
kneni Is rapidly protecting its Pr"Fl-
kjnns for maintaining necessary trans
porl for the supply of food. Few
disorders have occurred. The Trade
rni"n Congress is encouraged by the
practicallv una nimous response oi the
Urca nized workers 10 The strike call
Business is practically Al a standstih
and enormous losses have already
been suffered by commercial ami in
Wustrial establishments. Newspaper
huhlication has all but ceased in the
kapital and The government has estab-
Eshed an official Gazette" and the
knions have followed its appearance
with their own publication. The Brit
Ash Worker" The London Times has
printed single sheet edition twelve
Nv eight inches in size. With these
Exceptions. the London millions are
without any news save by radio, and
A is intimated that the strikers will
endearor to suppress that means of
fnmmunca tion.
Numerous works of fiction have ap-
reared during the past few years in
Envla nj based upon the concept of a
lahor revolution. Thus far the gen
eral strike which is tantamount TO
Eurh n revolution. has failed 10 de-
velop along any of the lines la down
nv the authors Of these works. There
fave been no conflicts. Adjustment to
the SIoppae ee of work has been quickly
effected. nd at present the struggle is
q quiet one. a silent test of strength.
OF course. AT any time disorder may
occur. If the government succeeds in
moving provisions TO supply the peo-
pie the strikers may attempt to pre-
Vent this transport, in which case
there would be encounters between
them and the soldiery, the issue of
which could hardly he doubted unless
the troops have become disaffected
through such seditious efforts as those
" SakIatvala, now under arrest for
appealing in a public speech to the
army and the navy to join with the
forces of labor for the subversion Of
government.
II is believed that for some time
past work has heen secretly in prog.
yess on the part of the ra adical element
to seduce the troops of the regular
Mrmy "f Great Britain. 1t is also be.
sieved that the government has been
thar today the military forces are
Eound and loyal. The arrest of SAX
astvala suggests a fear on the part of
xhe government lest in the stress of
the immediate situation the military
forces may not stand firmly. How
ever. there is no present sign of weak
ness in that quarter.
II has been computed that the aver
kce strike allowance for union men
pu; 90 work will be about So a week,
with The addition of half a dollar for
every child. If 5000, 900 workers are
tr"w idle the cost of their sustenance
will he &25.000. 900 a week, at which
kSte the strike fund. however large IL
ed. 4 strike of six weeks would cost
E16o.o"o.o0", at the least, in strike paw.
knents. Meanwhile none of the strikers
MOULD get Unemployment doles from
Fhe government, although such paw
nnents will he made, it is indicated. TO
those VII" are involuntarily forced
tnto idleness by the strike These un.
employment doles have been paid out
Wf fund jointly contributed by the
government, the employers and the
workers themselves, the government
paying the greatest portion. The
Horkers' share will no longer be avail
eb'e. Perhaps the employers share
"a ann"t he maintained at the former
tate. 1t is certain therefore, that the
Eos' Of the dole TO the government will
be heavier than before.