1926-05-05 — Page 7

GENERAL STRIKE

COMMENCED.

THE

FURTHER AND FINAL EFFORT TO SECURE PEACE FAILS.

FATEFUL DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. INDIAN, COMMUNIST M.P. "ARRESTED ON SEDITION CHARGE.

THRUSON ASUTTER'S AGENCY.]

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH 1920

NOT A REVOLUTION.,

(THEOUGH ROUTER'S AGENCY.] -33. RAMSAYT MACDONALD'S

ARGUMENT.

STRANGE SCENES IN LONDON.

LONDON, May 4th The streets presnat an amazing and "us- paralleled appearance as a result of the measures taken by business people to track their daily work, consequent on the complete withdrawal of the usual means of passenger transport,

From the early hours crowds of all ages and classes of the community start. ed to foot it from the suburbs on their walk of several miles to the town.

Mr. f. H. Thomas said that whatever the result of the strike, anybody was a that the

Bamsay MacDonald solemnly nak bind idiot who did not economic facts of the coal positioned the House in that hour of trial to would remain. He did not believe that raise themselves to a great triumph. He two per cent, of the population would declared that they laced a situation the support revolution, but the people in development and end of which none could volved in the strike might be driven by visualise. If the miners were going to circumstances that might have all the accept a reduction of, wages on a pro- effects of revolution, with entirely diner gramme of reconstruction, they mast see ent objects. This is not a revolution that programme of reconstruction frst.

In many instances they called at buy a plain economic, industrial disHe respected the constitution as much as pute." Parliament could forge an hon the Conservatives and, whatever their stations en route only to find the gates A few straj pirate buses ourable settlement, and he would make differences, they ought not to enter the his contribution to that whenever oppor dispute, with hot bends, but with deter-which had not joined the strike were overweighted with passengers hanging nination to do justice. tunity offered.

on in the most precarious positions..... Other conveyances pressed into service were motor-bicycles, with crowded side cars, and hundreds of long discarded

THE WORKERS OF GREAT BRITAIN LEFT THEIR TASKS IN A QUIET AND ORDERLY MANNER AT THE APPOINTED HOUR ON MONDAY NIGHT AND THE GENERAL STRIKE HAS NOW

closed. NO NEWSPAPERS ARE BEING PRINTED." BECOME EFFECTIVE.. NO FOREIGN OR COLONIAL PARCELS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE POST OFFICE, AND INLAND PACKAGES HAVE TO BE "THE EIGHT OUNCES. RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM OF ONLY LIGHT HEARTS IN THE COUNTRY,'' DECLARED THE PREMIER, ARE THOSE WHICH ENVIED OR HATED US. IT IS NOT WAGES BUT THE VERY FREEDOM OF OUR CONSTITUTION WHICH IS IMPERILLED

14

MR. SAKLATVALA, THE INDIAN COMMUNIST M.P.. HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN LONDON, AND WILL BE CHARGED WITH UTTERING A SEDITIOUS SPEECH AT HYDE PARK.

ONLY ONE NEWSPAPER. LONDON, May 3rd.

Beyond a solitary edition of one paper, They have failed,, and the general

In these words no evening newspapers appeared to-day. strike is on to-morrow." the Miners' Secretary, Mr. J. H. Cook and none will be printed to-morrow told Reuter of the fateful failure of the throughout the country. Fleet Street, "negotiations between the Cabinet and usually a hive of industry in the even Trade Unionists soon after eleven o'clocking, is at present desolate in appearance

with the exception of hundreds of empty

last night.

The Churchill mobbing incident is minimised by spectators, who declare that the crowd blocked the Chancellor's path through force of dumbers, but there was little hostility displayed.

Meanwhile, around the Houses of vans, Parliament, there were scenes which re called 1014. Thousands of people com- plately blocked Parliament Square, while Downing Street was impassable through out the evening. Dozens of extra police, with much difficulty cleared a way for taxis and motor cars leaving the Palace Yard.

FATEFUL MEETING.

LATER

The fateful House of Commons meeting

LLOYD GEORGE'S APPEAL, Mr. Lloyd George begged the Govern ment to make one more effort for peace..

MR. CHURCHILL ON THE CHALLENGE." Mi Winston Churchill gladly recognis

DEATH OF MR. W. W. MUNDY, -TRAGIC PIRACY ON CANTON

RIVER RECALLED. The announcement of the death of Mr.. Walter William Bundy, which took place at Ealing on March 26th, at the piracies of the old Spark on the Canton age of 73 years, reculis one of the tragic

River.

Mr. Mundy, who was a ton man, was a the middle of the Seventies of last cen passenger on the occasion, which was in tury. He was very badly wounded in the side, shoulder and neck. Indeed, for the rest of his life his neck was always* bent on one side. The pirates left him for dead and intended throwing him overboard, but his body hit the taffrail and fell back in the suppers, fortunately for him. When the pirate gang left in, the pre-arranged junk which came up the aloon boys wrapped Mr. Mandy in

He said that the members of the Trades ed that the Trade Union negotiatione bicycles, with the rider, in many cases, tableclothes, which staunched the flow of Union Congress who ordered the strik had striven to ward of a shocking disas caraying a pillion passcoger, and a few blood, and undoubtedly saved his le

were as little revolutionary is anyone

ter to national life and the Government stray lorries which were picking up the there, and the Government could con had also striven for pence by words and footsore.

The most wonderful sight in the tinue the negotiations without loss of

deeds. He pointed out that all the ap rights or position. He proposed that the peals for more time meant a continua-streets, however, was presented by the miners be asked to open negotiations totion of the subsidy, and the Government thousands of motor-cars which quickly discuss wages, but not to pledge them

caused enormous congestiva, especially in the West End and main roads lead "selves to a reduction in advance. He

ing to the City, despite the presence of added that in the event of the reaumption

hundreds of mounted and font police Cars were only of negotiations, the House would agree

directing the traffic. to a limited continuation of the subsidy. [BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE] MR. BALDWIN'S ADDRESS.

Brasy, May 3rd. During the course of his speech, the Premier said that the con trade had not been wholly happy or settled since the war, and the difficulties, which were al ready showing symptoms about four

could only agree to that if there was a real chance of a settlement. He said the miners practically had not budged au inch since last July. He did not believe that the continuation of the subsidy for a fortnight would clear up the positionable to proceed at a snail's pace, with He asked what Government could enter on hold-ups.

The Thames Embankment, one of the into a partnership with a rival Govern- ment to sit in judgment on every train widest thoroughfares in London, present. that ran The Government" must shoulé remarkable scenë, motor vehicles in der its responsibilities, even if it were serried ranks of six and eight abreast necessary later to take steps which if going at a rate of about two miles per mentioned now, might seem drastic: He

A section of the crowd repeatedly sang to-day opened with the customary ques- years ago, were only masked and delayed added that the Trades Union Congress "The Red Flag" and raised cheers for

the miners. Another section sang "God Save the King" and there was a rush in their direction. The police, however, controlled the crowd and there was disorder."

.no

tions. The tenseness of the atmosphere was apparent by the cheering, counter- cheering and laughter as the leaders en tered.

to

In the main, the speeches were listened almost in unbroken silence. There FINAL BREAKDOWN.

was a complete absence of an uncompro- A meeting has been arranged between mising spirit on any side, and clearly the members of the Cabinet and the Trade House was anxious for a last-minuse ne- Union Congress at the House of "Com-commodation, and not disposed to aban- mous to-night.

Notwithstanding numerous conversa tions between the Cabinet and Trade Unionists at the Commons it was an nounced at 11.30 that negotiations had failed and that the strike would be pro- claimed at midnight.

"STATE OF EMERGENCY.”

LATER.

The Proclamation of a State of Emer gency, empowered the Government to take all measures 'deemned, necessary for the maintenance of public order and the assurance of essential supplies, trans port, ett, under the 1920 Act, which en- ucted that a declaration of a State af

Emergency may be proclaimed if any action is taken or immediately threaten ed calculated. by interfering with the supply or distribution of food, water, fuel, light and means of locomotion, to deprive the community of the essentials.

of life.

"

The Council of D.M.S. (Organisation for the Maintenance of Supplies) has announced to-day that its whole organisa tion has been handed over to the Govern

STRIKE NEWS, Special pastables have been ordered to report at London stations

ment.

don hope.

Colonel Ashley announced that the Ministry of Transport had arranged a service of motor cars to convey Members of the House to and from Parliament.

Mr. Stanley Baldwin, nt the end of the questions, presented a message from the King declaring a state of emergency, and he moved a humble address to be presented to His Majesty thanking him for the messäge,

The Labourites insisted on a division on the Address, which was carried by 308 votes to 10%.

by the French occupation of the Ruhr,

which, while it lasted gave what was

really a fictitious value to coal. When the Ruhr occupation was removed the world's supply increased so fast that the world's prices tumbled fast.

After reviewing the terms of the report of the Coal Commission, the Premier said that the single attempt of the Gov- ernment had been to obtain the assent of both parties to the recommendations of

general strike and the Government would had only to withdraw ita challenge of a inediately, resume with the utmost patience the laborious task of the past

few weeks.

A SIGNIFICANT QUERY. There was a significant incident when Mr. Churchill sat down.

hu vr

Fortunately, the weather is th nest,

Business was seriously handicapped as and the utmost good humour prevails hundreds of cars were still trying to reach their destination at acon.

DUTCH AND GERMAN SUPPORT.

ROTTERDAM, May 3rd. The Transport Workers' Federation has exhorted its members not to assist Mr. Thomas asked the Premier whe-coal-loading for" Britain and not to work ther the Chancellor's statement meant vessels entering Nieuwewaterwey for the

Samo dozen or Afteen men

were auble- quently caught und beheaded for the piracy One of the singular features as regards Mr. Mundy was that one of the gang was caught wearing a ring which had been taken from his victim's finger. This ring was an heirloom in the family, and at one time had been lost in a barn for a period of forty years.

:

HOME ON LEAVE. THE CHINA STATION AND EXPENSIVE TASTES.

A young naval officer, named Nevill the China StЯtion," went to a Brighton Lionel John Pisani, home on leave from dance hall, where three five-pound notes him disappeared. and a gold wristlet watch belonging to

On March 8th Frank Nicholas Bruff, 31. described as a professional dancer, was committed for trial charged with stealing them. In the Court Pisani said: I think I cannot tell you what happened. It was my first experience of the kind, and I cigarette ends were put in my drinks. have been in many ports between Peking

and Port Said. I do not assert that this man robbed me.

Mr. Grabam Hooper (for the defence) : Are you a man of expensive taster?- Probably, many people would be after three years in Chinn.

Mr. Graham Cooper asked Pisani if he danced with a girl and he replied, “I don't remember."

He was also asked, "Did you give" £3 to keep the change." He answered, "I for a box of chocolates and tell the boy

out his wallet and threw Treasury notes" about the table, he answered, “I don't remember,"

the Report with a view to placing the in that if the general strike netices were purpose of bunkering which are normal-don't remember." Aaked also if he took

withdrawn the Government would see Mr. Thomas intimated that he did not that the roal notices were withdrawn..

expect an immediate answer.

The House melted following Mr. Thomas's query, and immediately after,", Mr. Baldwin was in contact with In-

Miners' Executive held a special meet- dividual Trade Unionists, while the

GENERAL STRIKE BECOMES EFFECTIVE.

dustry on an efficient and self-governing that the miners' representatives were not basis. Last Friday night the position was prepared to consider any immediate re- duction of wages or an increase of hours, which meant that the industry could not be carried on without a continuation of agree to continus paying, indefinitely, the subsidy. The Government could not wages to miners. and profits to mine-ing in the House, Negotiations broke down on Friday owners at the expense of the tax-payers. night. On Saturday, the General Coun PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

cil of the Trade Union Congress, express Commander B.. M. Eyres-Menselled their willingness to discuss matters.

with him, and he invited their Com moved the adjournment, whereupon Mr. Baldwin, who was given an ovation by mittee to come and see him that night. Ministerialists, made a statement. He He did so despite the threat of a general declared that the occasion was one of the strike, which he ignored for the moment. So anxious was he to see if even at the Kravest on which the House had ever met. He reviewed the difficulties of the coal last moment a way might be found out industry-largely due to its own extrá-

of a position which had become almost ordinary machinery for the adjustment

of wages.

Mr. Baldwin gwelt on the risk he ran by negotiating to the last minute under the threat of a General strike.-(Minin terial, cheers.) The situation changed acts in anticipation of a general strike, materially on Sunety when certain overt involving interferenze with the freedom of the press, occurred at 11.30 p. (Labourite laughter.) That made a con- tinuance of the negotiations impossible, for the Government found itself chal lenged with an alternative government.

LONDON, May 4th. In orderly and deliberate manner the Reneral strike of workers in the trans- port, printing, building and various other industries became effective ak midnight.

The men whose shifts began before midnight finished their turns of duty, and thus the night omnibus and rail Why services were concluded, and vehicles taken to depôte

The men did not hook on midnight.

SOME PRESS VIEWS.

after

insoluble. He paid tribute to the efforts which all had made to reach a settlement

LATER. and said they endeavoured to reach a position where the Trade Union Council,

With the pre-midnight shifts working. on behalf of the miners, would give an assurance to the effect that they felt con-most of the morning newspapers survived fident that, given another fortnight, a the strike barrage, but they appear of the Coal Commission's report. If the explained by such notices as "Emer settlement would be reached on the basis in the smallest dimensions, which is Government had been able to get that geney Edition, and Special Strike Assurance, they would have risked a Number? other, fortnight of negotiation. Discu"The pages are almost exclusively de sions were resumed on Sunday evening, voted to the momentous happenings fol and another effort was made to obtain lowing the coal stoppage, and most echo that assurance. Meanwhile, he had the Premier's exhortation for steadiness. learned that certain overt acts had al-

bunkered in Britain.

** ESSEN.-May 3rd The German Miners' Federation has issued + 'manifesto adhering to the Brussels agreement, and recommends the miners not to work overtime.

[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE] REACTION IN AMERICA. ·

NEW YORK, May 3rd. There has been a sharp decline in stock prices and a drop of over half a cent in sterling exchange. New low records for French. and Belgian currencies were Wall Street's reaction to the, British labour crisis.

(THROUGH REUTER'B'AGENCY.] ̧

COMMUNIST M.P. ARRESTED. TO BE CHARGED WITH UTTERING SEDITIOUS SPEECH.

1)

LONDON, May 4th Mr. Saklatvala, the Communist M.P bas arrested, and will, charged at Bow Street with uttering a seditious speech at Hyde Park.”

¡THROUGH HAVAS AGENCY.]

FRANCO-SYRIAN WAR. „

BEIRUT, May 4th. Several villages around Sueida have submitted to the French forces.

(THROUGH ZETTEE'S AGENCY.]

SCULLING.

TITLE.

MISSIONARIES FOR CHINA. APPEAL TO THE MEDICAL AND. NURSING PROFESSIONS.

The under-staffing of many mission hospitals has prompted the missionary societies to embody this year in their re- ports a call for service, addressed to the medical and nursing professions.

A list of typical posta is published by the Student Christian Movement, in collaboration with the Conference of Missionary Societies. Women doctors, it is stated, are wanted, particularly in China, for women's hospitals, general hospitals, and for pioneer medical work in populous areas.

The China Inland Mission is asking for six women to undertake district and pioneering work in Hankow. The Charch Missiondry Society is asking for. nurses for China and Japan. twenty-six medical women, teachers and

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS. GREGORY MAKES CENTURY AGAINST LEICESTERSHIRE.

LONDON, May 3rd. At Leicestershire to-day, ia fine wea ther, before a crowd of ten thousand, the Australian team, batting first against Leicestershire, scored 305 ruas for nine wickets.

Collins, the captain, was at the wicket for three hours and scored only 44 in eluding four fours. Bardsley made a3, Ponsford 50, while Gregory in an ex- hilarating display nit up a splendid. 102. pot out.

The rapidity with which he scored can, be judged by the fact that the century included a six, and fifteen 4's.

AMATEUR REAL TENNIS. HOLDER RETAINS SINGLES"

TITLE.

That machinery required radical overhauling, which would be que of the first things that must be tackled when the atmosphere was calmer. Owners. and miners must find or have found för them some way of managing their own business independently of Government The Broadcasting Company in func intervention, just like the other great in tioning for the issue of official communi-dustries. cutions, which the Governmsat decide to broadcast and the Government announce it is considering the important question of supplying the public with news in newspaper form. In the meantime, it will be broadcasting news five times a

The Daily Telegraph declares the MAJOR GOODSELL RETAINS WORLD day at fixed hours.

The Postmaster General notified that

SYDNEY, May 3rd. no foreign and colonial parcels will be

ready taken place in anticipation of a general strike is bound to fail, and fail general strike. They were acts interfer-soon. The Daily News opines that

Over a course of three miles, one hun-

LONDON, May 3rd: accepted, while inland packages must be restricted to a maximum of eight ounces.

He did not believe there had been aing with the freedom of the press, and when this miserable and unnecessary No parcels will be delivered within the London: postal area. The public are thorough-going consultation with the the Government found it impossible to struggle is over" the Government and dred and sixty-seven yards; on the Parra. At Manchester to-day, in the challenge arged to economise the use of telephones, rank and file before this despotic power pursue the negotiations further. The Parliament will have to tuyn to the matta Biver e-day, Major Goodsell re-round for the Amateur Real Tennis

tained his title of world's willing telegraphs and postal services.

Coal Commission's report.

The Daily Herald says that whatever champion by beating Tom Baul by Raven the outcome is, it will certainly mark lengths. The time given was 23 minutes the dismissal of Toryism to limbo. The 11 seconds. Festminster Gazelle has reason to fear that Mr. Baldwin has suddenly put down

ATELE, May 3rd. his foot at the wrong moment on the wrong point. The Daily Expres asserts the strike will fail speedily. The

Thres Majors who were sentenced to danger is it will result in such a crushing victory for the Government as to create death as leaders of the Salonika mutiny the possibility of reactionary influences have been granted an amnesty and re- seeking to exploit

was put into the hands of a small Execu

A Board of Trade order establishes ntive in London. (Ministerial cheers) Government found itself challenged by milk pool for London and the provision This was a gross travesty of every demo of an exchange. It is agreed that last cratic principle and the Labour leaders an alternative body which was incapable Friday's market prices be made the did not seem to realise that they were of arresting disobedience, to its cam threatening the basis of ordered govern- mands. He became convinced, last night, maximum prices until further notice.

that the General Council of the Trades Government spokesmen addressing pressment and going nearer to proclaiming men at noon, reported that the news civil war than we had been for centuries: Unions was not in control of the sitga from the country was eminently sati The only light hearts in the country to factory. There was no excitement and day were, those which either envied or tion and that it would be wrong for everything was normal. Offers of services bated, us, because they saw the whole de him and the Government to continue were pouring in from all over the mocratic freedom entering on a course negotiating unless they got an immediate country. Foodstocks were normal on the which, if successful, could only substitute and unconditional withdrawal of the or-

der for a general strike. whole and in many cases above the tyranny. It was not wages, hat the very

veragestock Exchange is disorganized with practically no busincas Prices have been precautionarily marked down but Home there is no selling pressure...- rails are one or two points down.

freedom of our Constitution which

inperilled. EverClang der ehhe was worked and cared for two years had been smashed to bits, but that had not shaken his faith or courage, or his aima (Ministerial cheers.):

Sir Robert also among

speaker bird Horne, was 200 mg the action of the Trade Union Council in threatening a general strike. The Coud cil had taken action, he said, without consulting their constituents.

THE GREEK MUTINY. MAJORS SENTENCED TO DEATH NOW RELEASED.

Teased:

Singles title the holder, Mr E M Berlin, defeated the Hon. O. N. Bruce by 02, 6-0, Coed, tha

Last year Baerlin also carried off the

M.C.C. prite.

DAVIS CUP TENNIS: PORTUGAL ELIMINATED BY SOUTH AFRICA

Bouth Africa eliminated Portugal from the Davis Cup Tournament in the first

The matches were played at Sutton, tria in the second round by winning three out of the first four matches-played and South Africa qualified to meet Aus

at Button to-day: