THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, MAT: 10TH,
1920
༢
THE GENERAL
STRIKE.
GOVERNMENT TO AFFORD PROTECTION TO LOYAL
WORKERS.
BERWICK-NEWCASTLE TRAIN ATTACKED BY MOB.
(THEOBOK REUTER'S 'AGENCY. Į
THE GENERAL STRIKE SITUATION IS UNCHANGED. · THE WORK OF FEEDING THE FEOPLE AND MAINTAINING ESSEN- TIAL COMMUNICATIONS HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. LORD OXFORD POINTS OUT THAT THE PEOPLE SUFFERING THE LEAST ARE THE CAPITALISTS: THE REAL VICTIMS ARE THE WORKERS WHO, IN THE LONG RUN, BEAR THE BURDEN A SPEECH BY SIR JOHN SIMON ON AND PAY THE PRICE. THE FUTURE OF TRADES UNIONISM, BAS ATTRACTED GREAT ATTENTION A GENERAL STRIKE WHICH DISREGARDS ALL CONTRACTS IS, HE SAYS. AN UNLAWFUL ACT, AND APEAR- ENTLY TRADES UNIONS OFFICIALS ARE LIABLE TO BE SUED IN THE COURTS BY PERSONS WHOSE TRADE THEY ARE SEEKING TO INJURE A CHEQUE - FROM MOSCOW HAS BEEN RETURNED BY THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS
The
BERLIN, May 8th.
General Federation of Trade Unions has decided to support financially the British strikers as far as possible by means of voluntary "contributions from the workers of Germany.
AMTLE FOOD SUPPLIES.
LONDON, May 8th.
+
COMMUNIST SENTENCED.
Numerous factories are beginning feel the lack of raw materials.
to
A destroyer was sent to Manchester where two food ships were unloaded by patrol naval motor-boats.
Three hundred combine omnibuses are
The manifesto after emphasising the origin and abject of the struggle as purely Industrial, says the struggle will continue until the Government, àre willing to re negotiations for an honourable termination of the mining dispute.
sume
BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE} THE LABOUR" ATTITUDE.
Rraby, May 7th.
MORE NEWSPAPERS.
The British Worker appears half ye terday's size, and declares that the No development giving promise of Cabinet has stopped the supply of newr- bringing the strike to an and has occur-print.
(THROCON REUTER'S AGENCY.] FOREIGN SUPPORT. :
COPENHAGEN, May 7th
The Executive Committee of the Danish ' Trade Unions to-day gave the Em ployers' Association preliminary notice. of a strike in support of the British
LATER.
red since the stoppage began on Tuesday Twenty-one leading suburban news- morning..
papers in London have published prae-strikers. tically in usual form.
.
CHEQUE FROM RUSSIA.
The General Council of the Trades The Trade Union Congress states that reports from the greater part of the Union Congress is in constant session country to-day show that solidarity is and the Excentive of the Miners' Federa- being maintained and men are still comtien met for a time this morning, alter ing ont in "Our second line of defence." which several members proceeded to con- The T.U.C. is of the opinion that the sult with the General Council and others argument of Sir John Simon and the went to the House of Commons.
a lair
ין
Moscow, May 7th The Soviet, General Council of Trade roubles to the T.U.C. as the second in- stalment of a collection among Soviet
aions."
Mr.. Poultas, the Publicity Chairman of the T.U.C., states that the Council has heard nothing about "Red" inter- possible to say what would be the at- national financial assistance. It was ime, iitude of the Council if the gift were offered."
The British Gazette was the subject of a it is explained that the Dhaish sym discussion in the House of Commons,pathy strike cannot be fixed for a week! initiated by Commander Kenworthy, who and could not begin for a fortnight at
SOVIET HELP. alleged that the British Gazette, of which the earliest. he understood Mr. Winston Churchill was editor, was not publishing summary of the proceedings of Parlia Unious has transferred two million
He also complained that the "reproducing opinions Gazelle was
newspaper correspondents of obscure abroad, saying what the Fascists would do in this case." He said this was an official paper; and it should attempt to give the news fairly and should not try to infame passions. There were booli- gas on both sides Trade Union leaders were keeping hooligans at Hull and in the East End quiet, and nothing should be put in this official organ to inflame the passion of the hooligans of the Right to nets which would bring reprisals and lead to things which we would regret in calmer times.
Cabinet that the T.U.C. are attempting In to-day's issue at the strike new to overthrow the Constitution and under-paper, the British Workery which is pub-ment. mine Parliamentary institutions is a willished by General Council, reply is made ful and deliberate attempt to confuse the to the statement of the Prime Minister issue and, prejudice the position of the that the Government was prepared to re- Trade Union movement by the allegation sume negotiations immediately the gen- that we have received money from Mos. eral strike is called off. The reply states cow. This morning a cheque arrived from that at this stage, with no knowledge of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade the subsequent line of policy that the pursue, the Unions, Moscow, running to some thoir Government intends to sands. We fully considered the matter, General Council cannot comply with and decided to send a courteous reply the Prime Minister's request for an un- expressing appreciation, but inability to conditional withdrawal of the strike notices. It indicates its readiness to re- necept the cheque which was returned.
The T... points out the Secretary sume negotiations for an honourable set- of the Free Church Council has refuted tlement, but adds that any preliminary a statement that the organisation has parleys with a view to discovering -placed" itself at the disposal of the basis for the negotiations can only be undertaken in a free and unfettered at- mosphere.
Government.
."
It also says the London pickets report that 90 per cent. of the goods coming to London are coming by road, and not rail. The T.U.C. has decided to instruct the
running in London, and Welsh and York-Unions that all men working are liable to per cent, of their wages as Strike shire newspapers are selling in London. It is officially stated that the situation
The Trade Unions Council have in- Levy. The Council is appealing to the Trade Unions and sympathisers abroad all over the country is satisfactory.formed Trade Unions that shipments from
for "financial help. There are ample supplies of foodstuffs in Ireland to Britain should cease. Isolated practically every district. The country is hooliganism is proceeding. The Miners” quiet. There were no disturbances in the conduct is exemplary, the transport mea last 24 hours, except a few minor in-only bring troublesome.
cidents.
"CIVIL CONSTABULARY.: The Government appeals for recruits for *the*"* Çivil Constabulary Reserve," who will be paid as 3 whole-time force. Special constables are being organised into units, wearing plain clothes, and are supplied with armlets, steel helmets and truncheons, and are formed from ex- Service men, the age limit being fifty, and Territorials and Training Corna officers:
THE MAILS.
INTERNATIONAL MINERS.
OSTEND, May 9th.
Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Hofland, Spain, Luxemburg and Czecho- Slovakia were represented at a meeting of the International Miners' Committee. The British representatives, Mesars, Richardson and Frank Hodges, arrived by aeroplane, and explained the situation
in Britain."
M. Brown, the prominent Communist of Doncaster, who recently returned from three years' Moscow was sentenced to imprisonment for a seditious speech.
"The Einancial Secretary to the Trea. sury in 1. letter to a mecting at Canter bury said every day the conflict lasts it must increase the danger of an outbreak of violence, which will have to be met by the armed forces of the Crown, in con- sequence of which it is impossible to fore-carried, out by cther countries. see the famous picturesque mounted ser tries and horseguards at Whitehall re- placed by dismounted men in service s.s.dress, bearing rifles, and similarly at
Buckingham Palace."
Three hundred and five passengers landed at Southampton by the Leviathan, and proceeded to London in charabanes. 9,500 bags of nail were also despatched.
Pickets of the Portsmouth Corporation! Electricity Works who endeavoured to persuade men not to go in, have they themselves now been finally cajoled to work.
ments.
DUTCH SUPPORT.
AMSTERDAM, May 6th.
of
الايم
Efforts were made yesterday to rush the London, Midland and Scottish Rail- way office at Crewe, owing to the railway The refusing to pay strikers wages: Police dispersed the crowd. No damage was done.
A WELSH VIEW.
Sir John Simon's speech in the Com mons at the close of the debate on Thurs. The Netherlands Trade Unions Conday night has received much attention gress has voted E3,000 to the British
in political and Labour circles in view of strikers, payable in three weekly instal Sir John's position as a legal authority and his past championship of Traile 4 ZURICH, May 8th.
Unionism. A joint sitting of the International
The Cardiff Weitern Mail (one of the Socialist and Labour Bureau Committee
prominent provincial papers whose eight and the International Federation Trades Unions will be held at Amsterdam Page production is widely circalated in on Tuesday to discuss the international London) in a editorial says as the result situation in relation to the strike in of the speech Trade Union officials cop- cerned in the general strike must under- Britain.
stand they are liable any moment to be sued in the Courts by persons they have wronged and whose trade they are seek ing to injure Probably 75 per cent. of the strikers struck unwillingly, and these are now assured by Sir John Simon that the protection of the law will be accord- ed to them if they have courage enough to disobey the unlawful and tyrannous orders of the Trade Union officials, and return to work.
NO RUSSIAN MONEY.
LONDON, May 8th. The British Worker states the Council of the Trades Union Congress have de- clined the offer, of aid from the Russian Trade Unions, and have returned their cheque.
MINERS MEET.
THE WORKERS' RIGHTS.
It was announced that the decision of the recent Brussels conference that no coal be exported to Britain had been fully
:
SWITZERLAND TO SUPPORT STRIKERS.
BERNE, May 9th. "At a meeting at Oiten the Committee "of the Swiss Union of Syndicates decided to appeal to Swiss workers to support the strike in Britain. The Unions have undertaken to contribute at least a franc for each of their members for the British strikers.
FRENCH MINERS.
DOUAI, May oth At a meeting with delegates of the miners at Nord Pas-de-Calais the repre- sentatives of the coal-mining companies agreed to increase by 10 per cent. wages and award a fifteen per cent cost of living bonus.
"
COUNTRY GENERALLY QUIET." LONDON, May 7th. The Home Office this afternoon an nounced that the situation
was-un-
changed. The country generally is quiet Concerted action by strikers in Loudon to prevent the transport of food by road continues but the situation is being dealt with.
AN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.”
An official communiqué issued by the Government says that there have been no serious disorders in any part of the
country.
The work of feeding the people and maintaining light and power and essen- tial communications, has been successful ly accomplished.
Over 2,000 trains ran yesterday, which was nearly double Wednesday's. There is a substantial improvement in main line and suburban services being ar ranged.
Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, the Labeur I am not tender, made a statement: letting a moment pass unused for some attempt to devise ways of peace and ac- commodation."
THROCON REUTER'S AGENCY.}< THE CROWN FORCES.
LONDON, May 7th. The Government has broadcast an in- timation to all ranks of the armed forces of the Crown that any action they may fnd it necessary to take in an honest now and afterwards the full support of effort to aid the Civil Power will receive the Government.
The War Office states that no troops have yet been called up to aid the Civil Power, except as guards at vulnerable
points.
announces that no further volunteers are The Ciril Commissioner for London required for the mounted police.
STRIKE LEADERS' STATEMENT.
The British Worker; the new organ of posts to the effect that the stoppage the strikers, to-day publishes district re- Complete Workers are calm and orderly and their solidarity is unprecedented.
The journal gives prominence to a de claration by the Council of the Trades Union Congress repudiating the state- ments that the trade union lenders have attempted to re-open negotiations to end the general stoppage. It declares that the complete control of the negotiations is vested in the General Council, who have had no direct or indirect communication with the Government. The council is ready to enter into preliminary discus- sions regarding the withdrawal of the lock-out notices but these must be free of any cotidition. It concludes that it is fantastic for the Prime Minister to pre- tend that the Trade Unions are attacking the constitution, as the sole aim of the Council is to secure for the miners a de cent standard of life.
CONSTITUTION NOT
CHALLENGED.
A Trades Union Congress official state- mant says that the local strike organisa tions have been authorised to meet em- ployers and offer to supply light and power for houses, streets, shops and social services. The statement emphasizes that the Council does not challenge the Con- stitution and is not desirous of under mining parliamentary institutions.
The Trade Union leaders have cancelled their continental engagements and Mr. Cook is not going to Ostend.
.
Mr. Serymgeour and Mr. Jack Jones supported Com. Kenworthy's plea. The latter declared that the Government was using public money to libel the Trade Unionists. The workers would stop "this poison-gas factory."
PROTECTION FOR LOYALISTS.
LONDON, May 7th. The British Gazette officially notifies all workers that every man doing his duty by the country in the present crisis will be protected by the State from re- prisals and less of benefits or pension, and that legislation, for that purpose will be proposed at an early date.
SHIPPING NEWS.
A return to normal shipping conditions is gradually being make both at Liver- pool and Southampton, says the British Gazette.
The position at Liverpool has improved to such an extent that eighteen vessels were docked and ten others undocked on Thursday.
Volunteer labour continues to pour in. Sixteen vessels were discharging on Friday by three thousand men.
1)
Many of the dock strikers have now reported for duty.
Ship's crews are continuing to sign.on
FURTHER ROWDYISM. Failing to suppress a strikers' attempt to interfere with a volunteer bus at Cardiff, the police charged with trun-in large numbers. cheons Some women were trampled in the stampede. Two persons were injured and one arrested.
There was farther trouble at Hull to-day. The police with batons charged were injured and seven were treated at strikers in the City Square. Several
the Infirmary."
HOSPITALS LACK ELECTRICITY:
Attempts have been made in the pro- services by calling out the men at the vinces to cut off electricity and essential
successfully replaced. The position in power stations, but the strikers have been the 74 power stations in Londos is quite satisfactory with the exception of Batter C, Bermondsey Poplar, Stepney and West Ham.
Three important London hospitals lack electricity, owing to the Stepney power station qutting off the supply. The British flazette in this connection saya this shows the incompetence of the Trade Union Congress, who promised no inter- ference with hospitala.
STRIKERS: SENT TO PRISON. Numerous strikers have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour for interfering with the police.
TRANSPORT FACILITIES.
More engine crews have resumed on the Great Western and a fuller train service
running.
is
There is an increase in the train, bas and tramway services of Lancashire.
COTTON MILLS CLOSE.
Several cotton mills in the Preston dis- trict closed to-day, and others are ex pected to follow. H...
A WARNING. Messrs Lyons, the caterers, have post ed up notices at their London Head quarters warning that Members of the staff not reporting for duties before noon on May ath, will have their jobs filled." The cut-going Australian, Indian and South African mails this week, have been delivered to the ports of departure by
road.
COAL FREIGHTS.
AMSTERDAM, May 7th Coal freights to the Mediterranean have been reduced fifteen per cent
· LORD OXFORD'S MESSAGE.
Freights bave alumped despite the rush Lord Oxford and Asquith has issued a and the vast tonnage available. The message through the British Gazette say fug that while strikes and lockouts may price of bunker coal at the new water-
CHURCHES RECOMMENDATION. be, and often are, in the last resort just way for ships in ballast has risen to fiable and even necessary, the challenge 21/8 and for loaded in ships 2/-.. ow thrown down and taken up is totally
LONDON, May 7th. different. The present generel strike is
After a full conference of the Christian directly aimed at the daily life of the whole community: The people suffering Churches of Britain, the Archbishop of all parties in the resume negotiations, the least are capitalists and plutocrats, Canterbury appeals and the real victims are the workers who, in the long run, bear the burden and pay urging that simultaneously and concur the price. We should have lost all sense rently; firstly that the T.U.C. cancel the of self-respect if we allowed any section general strike; secondly that the Govern of the community from whatever motives, ment renew its offer of assistance to the to bring to a standstill the industrial and ecs industry for a short period; and, social life of the whole nation, and it thirdly, that the coal-owners withdraw would be to acquiesce in the substitution the new wages scala recently issued. of a dictatorship for free government. This, the British would never do. We desire the earliest resumption of negotia- tions but the anti-social, weapon must Brat be sheathed.
present crisis to
The protection of London motor-buses At a meeting of the Miners' Executive
is most satisfactory and there are con stantly increasing numbers, but the situs Mr. Cook declared there was no change
tion in becoming intenser and the climax and no sign of any peace moves. *.
has not yet been reached. Orders have been issued by the leaders for the Rail- FUTURE OF TRADE UNIONISM.
Sir John Simon's speech evoked a replyways and Transport Unions to do their
(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE. } Towards the close of the debate on from the British Worker, the official utmost to paralyse and break down the
POSTAL SERVICES. Emergency Regulations in the House of strike Dews bulletin," which in a mani supply of food and the necessaries of life. Intimidation by disorderly crowds and
RUODY, May 7th picketing has occurred at many places, Commons on Thursday evening, Sir John festo headed Misleading the Nation",
and may soon occur at many more. The
The postal services, which at first, "There is no attack on the Simon made a speech which led to B declares
suffered some delay have improved to Government has directed the authorities
MUTUAL ACCUSATIONS. lively discussion in political Labour community, no attempts to set up a to repress and overcome these criminal
The British Gazette contends that the such an extent that the London Post obstructions. - ⠀ circles, as regards the future of Trade rival government, no challenge to the
The recruitment of special police all fact that the British Worker is published Offices were reported at five o'clock this Unionism. Sir John while not denying Constitution. The workers have czer.
over the country is being vigorously and entirely by Trade Unionists proves that afternoon to be practically clear. "the workman's right to strike said the cised their legat and long-established rapidly pressed forward. It is proposed the strike is purely political, and aim-With regard to fish supplies 182 vesale present general strike, which disregarded right to withhold their Labour in order to raise as soon as possible 50,000, and ed at newspapers of whose opinion the is all have landed to-day at various ports other important measures to increase the Trade Union Congress, disapproves. It and their total catches will not be less all contracts of employment, was not a to protect the miners against the de forces at the disposal of the Government states that apart from the miners, the than 2,000 tons, Emergency transport has to enable widespread protection are also strikers do not exceed one million of been organized almost entirely by the whom vast numbers ordered to strike fishing industry itself and is working lawful act and from this viewpoint the gradation of their standard life, which is future of Trade Unionism was in a tragic a menace to the whole world of Labour. being taken.
Owing to lack of teacher transport a An organised attempt is being made to were not consulted. The issue had ceased efficiently. If in exercise of that right contracts bayo
starve the people and to wreck the State, to be industrial and had become political. situation. Labour leaders were abusing been broken, that incident as Sir John
eral Headquarters was Mr. Bevis, of the ratious parts of England was conveyed the power given to them by the Trade Simon must well be aware, cannot with and the legal and constitutional aspect The Chief Apostle of Labour at the Gen- considerable consignment of mails from
Newspaper services are
Liverpool. mander-in-Chief of the general strike. present struggle the sinister character which he has chosen to ascribe to it."
proving.
Dispute Act, and unless they were careful ady, show of reason be used to give the is entering a new phandily im-Transport, Union and he is the real Com- to: Beifist to-day by destroyer from
there might be a terrible reaction.
A sufficient supply of volunteer labour is available at Southampton.
The Norddeutscher Lloyd liner Colum- bus and the Cunard liner Ascania sailed according to schedule.
Many ships are discharging cargo. The Southern Railways cross-Channel boats are running as arranged.
The Union Castle liner Kildonan
ready to sail. Cette in fully hunkered and stored,
STRIKERS ATTACK TRAIN.. The Berwick-Newcastle train was at tacked last night.
The driver noticed the level crossing gate foul of the line and slowed up.
Suddenly a mob of 300 or 400 men sp- peared on both sides ot The line sið bombarded the train with heavy stones. A big stene smashed the glass of the driver's cabin, grazed the driver's neck, and hit the stoker
Regent's Park has been closed to the public, and the Police are guarding the entranceR.
FRENCH COMMENTS.
PARIS, May 7th. The Press comments on the general strike in Great Britain emphasise its political aspect. as a step toward social
revolution
They are of opinion that Great Britain's resistance to it will be victorions.
IS
The Communist newspaper Humanite publishes a manifesto from the General Confederation of Labour announcing its decision to open a national subscription list in support of the British strikera
FASCISM OR COMMUNISM?
LONDON, May. Sth The issue now is not what wages. the miners should be given but whether democratic Parliamentary Government is to be overthrown," says Viscount Grey in n'message to the British Gazette in which he points out that the alternatives are Fascism or Communism which are both hostile and fatal to liberty.
Meanwhile, he states, every day of the strike is making the future worne for everybody. Two things are clear frst that the community must work together: at all costs to avert a revolution and to:" preterve constitutional method and the second that the only counsel to save our industries and end the strike is to get back to negotiations"
MORE DISTURBANCES,
LATER.
Further disturbances occurred in Glas-/* gow last night. Forty-eight arrests had been made up to midnight.
Pickets stopped petrol lorries at East. Stanfordlehope. Three arrest were made as the result..
A number of telegraph wires between Newcastle and Hexham were cut.
The strikers at the Yarmouth Corpora tion Electricity Power Station have re sumed work.
The city of London to-day was almost like Sunday, Many of the offices, and shops closed in order to give a rest to their employees, many of whom had to walk long distances.
RAILWAYS IMPROVING.
The improvement in the railway situa tion is further indicated by the fact that the numbers of trains running yesterday were-London, Midland, and Beottish Railway, 760; London and North- Eastern, 780; and Grest Western 478.
The Ulster Government has issued a proclamation declaring that a state of emergency exists in North Ireland.
[BLUTER'S AMERIČAN BERVICE]✨. CANADA'S '' MORAL” SUPPORT.
OTTAWA, May 8th, The Trades and Labour Council, after a beated discussion in which objection.
decided to offer."' moral” support to the British strikers was taken to the general strike in Britain,
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