1919-10-06 — Page 5

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THE

THE HONGKONG

STRIKE SITUATION:

RAILWAYMEN BEFUSE ALL GOVERNMENT OFFERS:

MOMENTOUS CONFERENCE OF

UNIONS:

ALL THE

GOVERNMENT APPEALS FOR A CITIZEN ARMY:

PREMIER WILL NOT RECEDE

DETERMINATION.

ONE IOTA FROM

DAILY PRESS, MONDAY

Mr. J R. Clynes and Mr. J. Sexton left Downing Street it .15 p.m. and proceeded to the conference of the Unions Mr. Clynes, in an interview, said that the position was very much easier.

» DO ALL THE UNIONS SUPPORT, THE RAILWAYMEN :

Lexpos,October 3rd..

A deputation of eleven, representing the Transport Workers and allied Unions, Again met the Premice at Downing Street this morning, in a further effort towards

a settlement, prior to a full meeting "of the Unions concerned, in the afternoon.. AIS

PRESIDENT WILSON'S CONDITION GRAVE.

LATEST CABLES. (THROTON RESTER'S AGENCY.) LABOUR CRISIS AT HOME RAILWAYMEN REJECT ALL GOVERNMENT OFFERS:

LONDON, October 3rd.

The Premier further indicated that if the railwaymen returned to work on this basis the arrears of wages would be paid to them. If at the end of five days after the full resumption of work, the repre- sentatives "of the men concluded that the negotiations could not be brought to

OCTOBER ÖTR

The Government therefore invites all Lorus Lieutenant, Lord Mayors, Mayors, Chairmen of County Councils, Chairmen of Standing Joint Committees and Watch Commuters, Chief Constables, Town Clerks, and other local officers take steps for the formation, in all counties. cities, and boroughs, of Citizen Guards to undertake to act in co-operation with the Police in the duty of protection and maintenance of order.

1919.

WHY

THE GOVERNMENT. WITH-| HELD DUE WAGES.

Loxpos, October Sud. The Government has issued a statement Recepting full responsibility for the decision to withhold the payment of wage to the railwaymen which would have fale due for payment this work if they had on struck work,

It points out that the men had broken their contracts and stopped Work with it due natier, completely disregariiful Coin-of the effect of their action on the persona

"They reque that in each county, city, and borough, the officers above

named should form forthwith

which they were in charge,

"

Mr Thomes declares that the elevenmittee for the organisation and recruit- und property of ordinary citizens of representatives unanimously support the [ railwayınen's "refusal of the Government's demand for a resumption of work before negotiations can again.

ment of such Vitizen Guard. If food and the existence of the nation afg to be safe- guarded in the face of the menace by which they are confronted to-day, it is essential that all citizens who are willing THE MOMENTOUS TAXTON HALL to contribute labour should be allowed to

be

commented onda

CONFERENCE..

LONDON, October 3rd.

The Conference of Transport Workers and allied Unions wing held at the Caxton Hall was made more representa; tive this afternoon by the inclusion of

do so without interference or apprehen- sion

The Government therefore appeals to all well affected men to come forward, in order that they may nasist, preserve und gilarantee the security of those without whose continued unmolested exertions the

Anrufliciul statement igned from Down: satisfactory issue, they should undertake other Unions, including the Miners life at the nation cannot be maintained.

ink Street'says: ---

The series of meetings of the Premier and Mr. Bonar Law, which commenced on October 1st., at the instance of the deputa tion of Trade Unionists headed by Mr. Gosling, endel this afternoon.

GOVERNMENT'S FIRST OFFER REFUSED,

The flovernment, on October 2nd., pro-

to give 48 hours notier before any cesank'ederation. tion of work occurred.

A IF THE NEGOTIATIONS: WERK "AGAIN

BROKEN OFF, o

If the negotiations were again broken off the men should agree to hand over alt

THE VEHICLE WORKERS' UNION."]

TANDON, October 3rd.

The Executive of the Vrhicle Workers' Union discussed the situation at mid

SOME REGRETTABLE INCIDENTS

LONDON, tober 3rd, The generally exemplary condnet in the strike up to the present was marred by ugly inflents to day.

They inflicted damage in inaumerable people, left foodi tà perish on which she public depended for their subsistence, par vast numbers too great expense by leaving! the stranded for conveyance, and in ficted great loss on many by preventing 'shem, from reaching their destinations.

The damages in which they are liable in law are vastly greater than the amount now withheld Different considerations may arise if the exts resumptio of work

In the meantime, the pountry

is

Twelve hundred, tons of potatoes were brought to London on the Great Northern trains yesterday. Tons of herrings were.. thrown overboard at Inverness' awing' to lack of transport,

The Federation of British Industries, after copanitation with the tavernment Tepartments concerned, have taken mens snes p keep the works going by the adaption of all-time and an elaborate. system of cooperation of factories, at the same time minimising distress by paving an unemployment donation where uneor Ployment is inevitable, and supplying

discharged men with fuel.

Another remarkaldo wutgrowth of the trike is the impetus given to the consting. "services which River Beena languishing in

sperus years,

The offices, of the District Transport Come mittres"in London and other ports have bren besiegei

Shippers of cargo have announced that Southmpton and Plymouth, for the first time since the parts were closed for the war, are available for evasting traffic of foodstuffs.

Serviers now operating in London ånd 16 Provincial"ports have all their tonnage

luve a fresh lease of usefulness. space requisitioned. The canals will also

till subjected to anexampled injure such exclient service in Franer, have

the railwaymen's action.

In these circumstances, the tiqteronum would not be justified is handing ove to the strikers a sun which would be used in prolonging a struggle which was under taken-without consideration for the wel

The Ministry of Transport, which did.

placed their servite at the disposal of the invernment. They have cirenurised barge, a owners urging them to parentrate their efforts to bring cosi from the mines, also

foodstuffs to the industrial districts by means of canals.

The response has been very satisfactory

plant in good working order, and ran all night, and afterwards announced that The train from Bristol, to Paddington are of the public and which is endanger | Barges, long idle and in bad sepair. are..

trains to their destination.

The

'men

buses, trams, and taxi-calis will run to posed the following basis which should agree to work harmoniously with day. Meetings of numbers of the Union

on

negotiations could be continued:--

Firstly, upon the strikers returning to work. negotiations shall be taken

up where broken on September 26th. :

Secondly, aerording to the Premier's

|

have been arranged or midnight on Fri- the railway servants who had remained or.

The Railway Excen. Idar to consider action. returned to work tire should agree to undertake that there should be no victimisati h of strikers.

TRAIN SCHEDULE EXCEEDED LONDON, October 2nd.

this morning narrowly escaped wrecking Dear Swinding owing to a rail and a large ing piece of timber being fixed on the rails. The train smashed the obstruction.

Several cases of savage attacks, un volunteer workers" have been reported.

A GRAVE MISTAKE the whole life of the nation.

Loxtos, Betober 2nd - Mr. J. H. Thomas, in the course of a statement regarding the failure of

How in the full use of Fx-officers and men experienced or the canals in Flanders,"

The butstanding feature of the strike" has been the triumph of the matur happy. The prompt collection and distribution of foodstuffs by rond convoys has brought

The National Union of Railwaymen Excluding the Underground services, Vitriol was thrown on a volunteer worker settlement, says he understands that the unse to the people, the value of motor offer on September 26th..."the Govern rejected this proposal, and the conference i over 2, 100 passenger and 190 goods trainst Clapham. His eyes may be, perman-other Trade Unions' whole-view on the tresport. more

meat guarantee that there will be "no

erduction in wazes until March 1st. 1920, and, any time after December sist. 9 Be Government will i ready to discuss, ir view of the circum- stances, then existing the possible extension of that date:

Thirdly, the Government is preparest to discuss with the railwaymen any unfairness or hardship affecting any particular grade of workmen through the operation of the scheme of stand. ardisation trendy", proposed bi the Government, and consider anvianomaly as between," the various grades in the application of the percentage of, the ineroase proposed to each grace“

Fourthly, in the event of the failure. to agree on any question arising out of the matter mentioned in paragraph three, the point of difference shall be referred to arbitration.

terminated.

are scheduled for to-day. The reports for ently injured. A MEETING OF ALL THE UNIONS. to-night show that the schedule has

LONDON, October înd

already been exceeded.

13

TRAIN SERVICES CONTINUE TO" IMPROVE.

LONDON, October 2nd.

Mr. Robert Williains, the Secretary of the Transport Workers' Executive, says that a committee from the conference will incet to-morrow morning after, which a

It is officially stated that the ruin request will possibly be made to Mr.

services continue to jagrove, lloyd George to see them again. Thes

Forty-five aeroplanes distributed the the Federation will report to a further conference which, it is hoped, will be of mails throughout the country yesterday

even more representative character.Mails were also carried to Paris and The congestion of mails in The Executives of all Unions immed Brassels. iately or likely to be involved bave been London is rapidly decreasing. requested to consult one another, in order THE EXTENDED TRAIN SERVICES. to prepare for any action likely to be

Losos, October 3rd.. de-mel'advisable.

20

PREMIER INSISTS ON RESUMP TION OF WORK,

Loanos, October 2nd, The report is confirmed from a well

The National Finion of Railwaymen informed source that Mr. Lloyd George, Telased these termis

The train, scheduled to run to-day num- bered 3450, excluding over 900 Under ground and Tube trains. Over 400 gods trains will run.

NO LACK DF, FOODSTUFFS.

LONDON, October 2nd. Regent's Park has been closed.

ISOLATED CASES OF SABOTAGE.

LONDON, October 3rd. The military have taken over Euston

station.

The Great Western Railway annonces that the strikers are resuming all over the system. Present indications are that the 'second week-end of the strike will find a

completed programme of about 5,000 trains daily throughout the country.

રા

even than thi 111070 Government offer is "the sun as the gigantic success of the matar lorry in the

WAR are making an- Railwaymen's and they

It is not expected that the conveyance. ather fort before taking any action.

He expressed the opinion that the of goods by road will seriously affect ther action of the Government in withholding railways in "the future, but there is no doubt that the motor transport service the men's wags was a grave mistake

the supplementing railways will be which would only tend to stiffen the hacks developed.

Altogether, there is more significance than the speaker wished to convey in the remark made by one of the Transport Workers delegates after the interview It is officially stated that, replying to with the Premier yesterday: We re still hopeful. Mr. Lloyd George stiffen- a telegraphic inquiry from the editor ofed today because, he thought he was

of the m

THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST

OFFER -

Losos, October 3rdh

Isolated cases of sabotige are reported, but, generally, the Police authorities de

the Liverpool Esprese, Mr. Lloyd George clare that molestation has beer conspicu telegraphed that every man who returns ously absent.

to work immediately will be reinstated His Majesty is returning to London and receive the back pay due to him.

THE PRESENT SITUATION from Ealiooral by motor?"

isos, October 3rd.

It is officially denied that the military/ have taken over Euston.

REVIEWED.

LONDON, October 3rd. The railwaymen were not represented at the conferences with the Bremier yes terday.

The attitude of the Railway men's Executive last evening was that their effort at bridge building had failed, and it must he left to the other Unions to decide their own action.

MORE MEN ARE RESUMING? Lespos, Onoler Srd. An official statement issued at midday states that up to 11.30 am. the men's It will be principally used for the disrepresentatives had not renewed their tribution of frozen meat and vegetables.applications for an interview with the

The Miners Federation were represent The Food Ministry reports that stocks Prime Minister.

Railway traffic has markedly improved.ed for the first time at last evening's con- of necessaries are generally satisfactory, The Transport Workers' Deputation and, in some cases, exceed fast month's (loods trains particularly continue to ference of Trade Unions. Br. F. Hodges then returned to the Railwaytfien's Head. stock. There is no lack of four, meat, numerically increase. quarters, and there conferred for an hour bacon, fish and other staple foodstuffs.

The Railwaymen's President stutes The Lundoa milk distribution has that the negotiations have not been de reached 76 per cent. of the normal, Bome finitely severed, but there is no progresa Provincial towns are over-supplied. to report.

in to-day's conversations with the Trana THE PROPOSAL FOR 4-SEVEN DAYS," TRUCE

port Workers' Federation, did not recede At this morning's meeting, the Premier an iota from the condition that the re- proposed a truce of the strike for a few sumption of work must precede the re days in order that negotiations might be sumption of negotiations with the rails|

Railwaymen's Union whymen. resumed. The agreed, but only if the Government is prepared to work out a basis of stand- ardisation which, shall operate similarly to the various grades as in the case of those grades for which a settlement has been effected. The Government rejected this proposal because the grades referred to were settled, as claimed by the railway- men, on their special merits, and an the understanding that the other grades now in dispute would be treated on their merits and because the demand now made was only a repetition of the original scheme which bad already been declined,

THE COUNTER-PROPOHALR. The Premier then made the following counter-proposals; -

The Government is prepared to agree to a truce of seven days, counting. from the full resumption of work, in order to discuss:-

Firstly, the period of standardisation of wages;"

Secondly, any alleged unfairness or hardship affecting any particular grade of workmen through the operation of the scheme of standardisation already proposed by the Government, and any anomalies as between the various grades! in "the application of the percentage of the increase proposed for each grade. DISPUTES TO BE SETTLED BY ARBITRATION.

In the event of failure, of agree apon any question arising out of the matters

mentioned in the abare two points, the Government is prepared to submit the disputed questions to arbitration.

The Transport Workers and Railway? men's Executives ineet later to consider the whole position.

MORE CONFERENCES“.

LONDON, October 2nd.

++

FOOD SUPPLIES INCREASE. The Food Controller states that sup: plies of fresh meas have increased and the supplies of fish and potatoes are better than expected. The distribution of sugar is difficult. The retailers have

More men are resuming.

The general machinery of distribution is running more stunthly daily, and retailers of food state that stocks have maintained a satisfactory level.

GOVERNMENT UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTS THE PREMIER,

LONDON, October 3rd-

A full meeting of Ministers, presided over by Mr. Lloyd George, unanimously supported the Premier's statement that

being present.

The sole remaining hope of the removal of the deadlock is that this conference will make a final effort to bring the parties together, but there was little evidence last evening, when the conference was adjourned that the members, ÅTE hopeful of the success of their efforts it. mediation.

The Premier's insistence on the resumo- tion of work remains an obstacle to the negotiations.

tig

The railwaymen's lenders refue to ad mit that they are beaten, and feel that

*inning."

Indeed, according to Labour corres- pondents, the tone of the deputation to the Premier had been very inild. Their

sym chief anxiety was to prevent a pathetic strike, and men like Mr. Robert Williams and Mr. Bevan, i to

now

| rezarded as Extremists, have played a

notable part as peace makers.

Hence, it is not at all certain, that a sympathetic strike will he declared at to-day's conference at the Caxton Hall.

EARLIER CABLES

DRAIN ON UNION FUNDS.

LONDON, October 2id. This afternoon the Transport Workers' deputation met the Railwaymen's "Execü- tive which remains in full sesion while attempts at wttlement continu

It is estimated that strike pay will cost. the Railwaymen's Union a quarter of a million weekly.

The Exerative bas ordered the pumpinen of the Severn tunnel to resume.

COMPLIETING REPORTS,

LONDON, October 2nd." It is announced that negotiations be- tween the railwaymen and the Govern- ment have, broken down in consequence of the adherence of the Government a the attitude of no disenssion till work is rerumed. The other Unions are still carrying on mediatory conversations,

IMTER. "Most cunflicting reports as regards the state of the strike negotiations have been the negotiations are still proceeding-

LATEST CABLES. PRESIDENT WILSON'S

Prior to conferring with the Railway- been replenished with supplies of butter, no negotiations could be entered into with the ordering of the men back without issued. Mr. Arthur Henderson now xavs

men's Executive, the Transport Workers' Deputation saw the Premier.

י.

A full conference of the Transport Workers and the associated Unions was resumed this evening at Downing Street CONFERENCE HAS NO RESULT.

LONDON, October 3rd.

cheese, margarine and tinned foods,

GOVERNMENT APPEALS FOR A CITIZEN ARMY,

LONDON, October 3rd.. "Government has appealed for a Citizen Army meet the crisis.

THE TEXT OF THE APPEAL

LONDON, October 3rd. The following is the text of the appeal

A conference of the Railwaymen's Exe- cative and a deputation of eleven with to the citizens:-- the Premier at Downing Street was

In the opinion of the Government,

broken off at 9 p.m. Mr. Thomas said the circumstances of the present crisis are that no settlement had been reached. He such that special measures, must be taken had nothing further to pay.

SITUATION "VERY MUCH, EASIER."

LONDON, October 3rd. The deputation, accompanied by Mr. Stuart Bunning, M.P., and Mr. Bower man, returned to Downing Street at five a'clock. The Bailwaymen's Executive ar-

rived there a quarter of an hour inter, apparently in the best of spirits.

to secure the liberty of all peaceable citizens, and to protect them in the pur. suit of their ordinary work and the special work undertaken to maintain the supply of food and other necessaries of the community." The numbers of the re gulay Police forces and the existing small forces of Special Constabulary are insufi

FI

cient for this purpose.

the Executive of the Railwaymen's Union before the Union ordered the strikers to resume work. APPEAL FROM THE AGRICULTURE

BOARD, ".

LONDON, October 3rd. The President of the Board of Agri- culture has appealed to farmers to thresh immediately all the wheat possible and to transport it to the local mills, with the object of rendering the bread position, safe, and adequately providing for the feeding of the people.

AT THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK,

.. LONDON, October 3rd. The Federation of British Industries reports that, at the end of the first week of the strike, the general state of employ- ment and industry appears to be excel. lent

There has been little cessation of pro- duction except in industries where huge stocks of coal and material are necessary. A serious fall in production is not, ex- pected for some time.

The majority of the textile firms can carry on at full time for a considerable

time

some definite asaraper would be run strued as an admission of defeat. "

They recognise, however, that public opinion is against them, hence they are striving by vigorous propaganda, adver“, tisements, leaflets, articles and interviews to convert public opinion to their view, but the consensus of opinion in the news- papers is that their efforts at conversion are more likely to be successful if the men resume, as the public, resent the pistol held at their head.

12

No doubt the Government's efforts to

by thousands of enthusiastic volunteers of mitigate public inconvenience, backed up all classes, from peers to artisans, Has been very successful, at least in the case of London, where not merely more trains are running but the food supply is so good that the Ministry of Food has an nounced that canned meat need no longer

be ratiqued,

Oua London station, alone, received by train, and dispatched to different dea- tinations, 2,000 charns of milk yesterday.

ILLNESS.

"A VERY SICE MAN."

WASHINGTON, October 3rd. President Wilson', physician has sun- moned ʼn nerve specialist in consultation. Though this was announced as increls a precautionary measure, and the Pre sident', condition was described as not alarming. fast evening's bulletin says that President Wilson is a very sick man.”

||

CONDITION UNCHANGED..

WASHINGTON, October 3rd. "After two hours' consultation, a bulle- tin was issued at noon stating that Pre- sident Wilson's condition is unchanged.

CONDITION GRAVE,

PHILADELPIA, October 3rd. The neurologist, Professor Dercom, who examined President Wilson on Thursday, is of the opinion that his condition is

grave..

(Continued on rade 6)