Evening star., 1926-05-20

Action in calling off the general
strike in Great Britain after Il labor
contest which was kept free from rev
olutionary tactics is viewed by Amerf-
cans as a notable achievement. Both
sides are commended for avoidance
of bitterness, and the British govern
ment especially is praised for the
wisdom shown in the proceedings. 1t
is admitted. generally, however, that
the coal situation Itself IS Dy no
means solved.
This is a victory for the govern
ment, hut it is no less a victory
for the strikers" in the opinion of
the Dayton Daily News, which holds
that, above all, it is a victory for
the great third party, the general pub
lie, because order rules, business con
tinueS and Justice is promised for all
as a guaranty of industrial peace.
In making this outcome possible the
strikers, according to the Spokane
Spok Review, are to be com
mended for reversal of their attitude,
and intelligent recognition, before a
bad matter had been made worse; that
the general strike was at cross pur-
poses with the welfare of the nation
and with British public opinion y
Special credit is given by the san
Francisco Bulletin to 1.-The stub
bornness of that is called the middle
class, those that are neither rich nor
poor"
1.-The general strike proved futile
as a weapon of compulsion' and also
demonstrated the solidarity of the
British people, outside of labor or
ganizations." says the Washington
Star, 'in behalf of the maintenance
of constitutional government. 1t set
Great Britain back a number OF years
In industry and trade, and from this
setback none will suffer so greatly
as the workers themselves" In agree
ment with this view the Providence
Bulletin states that when the smoke
of this great industrial battle clears
away it will undoubtedly be found
that nothing was accomplished which
could not have been accomplished
more easily and with better spirit by
more peaceful methods" Moreover
it is observed by the Baltimore Eve
ming Sun that "the bill'' to be paid
'is already being presented" and 1.-The
stupidity of the proceeding is already
taking toll"
Premier Baldwin's success in max
ing "such a peace that no bitterness
would remain afterward' is commend
"A
comment that he has rendered a
service alike to the government and to
both sides" while the Seattle Daily
Times finds cause for satisfaction in
the fact that as to the basic problem
both sides will approach the question
in a spirit of tolerance. Belief that
Baldwin "SinCerely desires to play fair,
to deal justly" is expressed by the
Manchester Union, which hopes that
"the British faculty of arriving at
agreement ought not to be lacking
now. when the questions involved are
of such immense Importance to gov
ernment and people"
* x X
1T may be that Baldwin will be able
to deal with the coal crisis and with
other labor problems" says the Gin
cinnati Times Star. ''in a way that will
lower the class barriers and hurry
along that return OF prosperity in
England which is important not only
to England itself, but to all the free
nations of the world An outstand-
ing factor in this situation, it Is point
ed out by the Charlotte Observer, is
that British labor had confidence that
the government was animated by the
spirit of Justice and a further
thought from the Rock Island Argus
is that the strike SERVED to clarity
the atmosphere. bring about Il better
understanding between the labor
unions and the government. and if it
will eventuate in the reorganization of
the coal industry, its general effect
will he Wholesome in charactersH