The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-05-14
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
British Nation Contending
With Paralyzing General
Strike Of Unions.
BY EDWARD W. PlckARD

BY EDWARD w. PiCKARD
~ REAT BRITAIN entered on one
VI Of the most critical periods Of
her recent history last week. Because
the mine owners and miners could
reach no settlement OF their disputes
and the government would not longer
continue the mine subsidy, the miners
of the nation had struck. This was
bad enough, but the general trades
union congress promptly ordered that
the miners be supported by general
strike of about 100000 union work
ers to begin at midnight Monday.
Prime Minister Baldwin, declaring
the constitutional rights had been
challenged, asserted negotiations could
not proceed until the general strike
order had been withdrawn. The king
issued q proclamation Of state emer-
gency under which Baldwin was en-
powered to rule by DEGREES and which
made Sir William Mitchell Thomson,
postmaster general, the economic die
tator of the country. The law does
not permit the prime minister to or
der compulsory military service or In
dustrial CONSUMPTION, but every other
step to meet the situation was taken
by the government and volunteer
workers by thousands came to the
front.
At the appointed time the general
strike went into effect. the first work
ers called out being those in transport,
including railways, ships and docks;
printing, Including the press; metal
and heavy chemical groups; building
trades except those at work on hos
pitfalls and housing; electricity and
gas, including power lines. OF these
only the chemical workers did not
obey the call. Sanitary and health
services were not interrupted. All
over the United Kingdom business
was paralyzed, and in various parts
of London and other cities and towns
there was bloody rioting Naturally
the situation was most serious in Lon
don and the governments efforts to
meet it were concentrated there,
though troops and warships were
moved to strategic points elsewhere.
Organized labor In America, France,
Belgium and other countries showed
sympathy for the miners strike but
rather refrained from approval of the
general strike. Soviet Russia, how
ever, did not hesitate to show its de-
light at the plight Of Great Britain,
and 1t was reported that the Moscow
government had forbidden the export
Of foodstuffs to England. The French
miners took steps to prevent the ship
ment Of French coal ACROSS the chan
mel.
AS the days went on the situation
gradually improved, according to the
statements in the British Gazette, the
governments newspaper. This was
notably true of railway transp0rta-
ton of the food supply and the light
and power services.
Prime Minister Baldwin told the
house of commons that 'the general
strike threatens the existence OF the
ordered government and comes nearer
to proclamation Of civil war than
we have known for hundreds of
years" This would appear to be true !:
but the assertion Of labor leaders and
of Lloyd George, that not 80 per cent
Of organized labor in Great Britain
would vote for revolution, seems
equally true, because almost all the
workers are of British nationality and
at heart loyal to their country.
At this writing there are rumors
afioat In London that some sort Of a
compromise will soon be reached. 1t
Is difficult to understand how this can
be, since the government cannot and
will not recede from its position that
the strike must be called off before
negotiations can be reopened, and the
trades union congress still has plenty
of funds and claims that the workers
response to the strike call exceeded
all expectations.
ORANGE felt the effect of the Brit
ish strike when the franc began to
tumble, reaching on Thursday the new
low mark of 32.14 to the dollar. FL
nance Minister Peret who called Q