Evening star., 1926-05-09
RANKS OF STRIKERS MAY REACH
100000 AS RESERVES QUIT

Continued from First Page)
union council, which has decreed a
strike which, If it is continued, can
not fail to increase unemployment,
to burden rates and taxes and ruin
the whole standard of life of the
people?
Denies Attack on Miners.
Il wish to make it as clear as l
can that the government are not fight
ing 70 lower the standard of living of
the miners, or any other section of the
workers. That suggestion is being
spread about. 1t is not true.
Il do not believe that any person
can doubt that my sole desire Is tC
maintain the standard of living Of
every worker. and 1 am ready IL press
the employers to make any sacrifice
consistent with maintaining the indus
try itself in order to bring about that
object.
Il want to repeat that the govern
ment are prepared now, as they na"e
always been, to accept the commits
sion's report, and the full report, if
the other parties will do so. We are
prepared, as soon as circumstances
permit. TO consult with the owners and
miners 10 see how effect can best be
given to this policy, and the country
may rest assured that when the time
comes the government will be ready
with proposals.
The Trades Union Council have
only to cancel the general strike and
withdraw the challenge they have
issued, and we shall Immediately be-
evi ttrifh ~ nd
tience the long and laborious tasks
which have been pursued for SO many
weeks endeavoring to rebuild the coal
industry on an economic foundation.
THAT Is our position, and while civ
iliZatiOn remains what 1t is we have
no alternative whatever but to go for
ward unflinchingly and do our duty.
Appeals to Employers.
Meanwhile, Notwithstanding the
dislocation OF transport and fuel
supplies. / hope the employers will
do all in their power to keep their
works running in order to mitigate
the hardships which must necessarily
fall upon the people in an emergency
such as this.
Il am a man of peace. am living
and working and praying for peace.
but l will not surrender the safety
and security of the British constitu-
ton.
Can you not trust me to insure
a square deal for each party and to
secure even justice between man and
man."
Both sides are unyie)ding and the
endurance test has set in. Many of
the unions have considerable funds;
others. among them the mine workers,
have little. Two or three weeks of
the strike and the funds OF the work.
ers' organization will proba bly, be ex-
hausted. Hungry strikers, it is ad-
mitted, are not as tractable as the
crowds the government has had to
deal with during the past week. and
the great majority Of the British peo-
pie are seeing their island turned into
an armed camp.
Police Forces Enlarged.
The police forces are being aug.
mented and troops are being distrib.
uted at various points where trouble
would be most likely to occur. Brit.
ish warships still are swinging at
anchor in the various harbors. The
navy men are expected TO lend all aid
to the civil authorities.
Transportation conditions had i'm
proved greatly on the fifth day of the
strike. Service on the trains, busses
and street cars is beginning to re.
vive through the help of volunteers.
but business is virtually at a stand.