RAILWAY WAR DECLARED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1210, 19 August 1911, Page 5

RAILWAY WAR DECLARED.

STRIKE SIGNAL GIVEN. LIVERPOOL ON-VERGE OF FAME AMD PESTILENCE. PROMPT ACTION ■ PROMISED.

By Tttleeranh—J?res9 AESociatioD-OoDyrlalit (Kec. August 18, 10.10 p.m.) London, August 18. : Tho railway strike has officially begun. It is already on a considerable scale, but how far it will become general remains to bo seen. Thousands more have already joined those on strike. After the abortive Board of Trade conferenco tho railwaymen's executives met , the Parliamentary Committeo of- tho Trades Union Congress and the Labour party in tho Houso of Commons. Afterwards the secretary of tho Amalgamated Society of Kailwaynien announced that war had been declared on the railways. Statement by Mr. AsqUith. . On tho refusal of tho proposed Royal Commission Mr. Asquith, in an address, said the Government would not allow tho paralysis of the railways. The railway men would incur a heavy responsibility if they did not weigh his words carefully., Union Manifesto. The joint union executives subsequently issued a manifesto in reply to Mr. Asquith, declaring his statement to bo an unwarrantable threat' against the railway workers, who for years had repeatedly asked tho Board of Trado and also Parliament to amend the conciliation scheme. The Signal Given. Fifteen hundred telegrams giving tho signal were, dispatched. / Tho Labour party and the Parliamentary Committeo of. the Trades Union Congress mot "and resolved to help the railwaymen. . Afterwards the position was discussed by tho Labour party's executive, and dissatisfaction was expressed at tho unsympathetic attitude of tho Government, and it was decided to give notice* of motion of censure. The ■ scene of action was then transferred to tho Houso of Commons, A Misunderstanding. Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor, of tho Exchequer, speaking in the House, Eaid he thought tho men did not fully appreciate tho character of Mr. Asquith's proposal, and had proceeded to recommend a great strike. He felt that if a conflict must conic',' it should only'coino: after a full understanding of tho character of the proposals. Ho was glad to announce that negotiations had been rcoponod, and parties wero considering this interpretation. Tho Government did not intend a roving commission for the purpose of staving off tho evil honr. The Commission would consist of three members, two representing tho companies and tho men, and tho third being an independent chairman. It would meet forthwith, and would arrive at a prompt de- ' cision. Labour Party Mollified. Mr. Ramsay Maodonald, chairman of the Labour party, said apparently there had been' a misunderstanding, but tho position was so grave, and keenly felt that ho had intended to movo a vote of censure on tho Government'for tho way it bad.conducted tho negotiations. Tho members of the Labour party would now do their utmost to bring about peace. An Immediate Inquiry, Mr. Lloyd-George said that if the commission was accepted it would be appointed on Saturday, and would meet on Monday. The Government woul'd take immediate administrative action on the commission's decision, and if necessary would summon Parliament. The railwaymen's executive eat late, considering Mr. Asquith's proposal, and adjourned until tho morning- without arriving at a decision. GENERAL TRANSPORT STRIKE FEARED. EXPECTED TO BE CALLED ON TUESDAY. (Rec. August 18, 10.40 p.m.) London, August 18. Late last night railway traffic was proceeding normally at the London terminal stations. Few of tho men had ceased, except at St. Pancras, the Midland Railway terminus, where five hundred goods department strikers endeavoured to induce tho passengermen to strike. I Tho Thames lightermen will striko today. N It is expected that the whole of the transport workers of the United Kingdom will be. called out by Tuesday.