Tag: 100 Years Ago

29 SEPTEMBER 1926

The House of Commons decided to continue the emergency regulations in operation.

Further discussion of the mining situation took place in the Commons.

The return-to-work movement among the miners has been considerably accelerated. The first break-away in Lancashire took place, as the result of a ballot at Atherton. The increase of men at work all over the country was over 10,000. The Executive of the Miners’ Federation asked the General Council of the Trade Union Congress to recommend a levy for the miners and an embargo on coal.

A statement on the position of affairs in China, with special reference to the satisfaction demanded by Britain for recent occurrences on the Yangtse, the strength of British forces in the Far East, the removal of the Canton boycott, and the security of British interests, was made in the Commons by the Prime Minister.

When fire broke out in an oil works and gas shade factory in Manchester, women employees were trapped in the building. Thrilling rescues were effected, but one woman was so severely burned that she died. Several other girls were injured.

Viscount Cecil, in an interview at Geneva, said that while the League was the greatest international instrument for pacification, it should not be made the tool of cranks and lunatics. The Assembly had been most successful in great achievements besides the admission of Germany.

The French Press comment upon M. Poincaré’s speech on the Franco-German relations is favourable. One paper declares that his remarks will bring back thoughts from airy generalities to cold hard facts.

28 SEPTEMBER 1926

The coal dispute was discussed in the House of Commons, the principal speakers on the Government side being the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

At question time in the House of Commons the President of the Board of Trade stated strong representations had been made to Spain regarding her action in increasing her Customs duties in contradiction of the spirit of the treaty reached with Britain.

In the House of Lords yesterday, the Lord Chancellor (Viscount Cave) said the latest proposal of the Miners’ Federation was impossible of acceptance, because it was founded on a seven hours day. He believed the end of the strike was in sight. What was called an “organised retreat” had begun. The motion continuing the Emergency Regulations was passed.

The miners’ leaders were engaged in a series of consultations to determine the policy and course of action to be taken. It was hoped that the debate in Parliament would produce some plan for ending the deadlock short of complete surrender.

To endeavour to speed up the work of its technical sub-committees, the League of Nations Preparatory Disarmament Commission directed these sub-committees to avoid political complications when studying the question from the naval, military, or aerial standpoints. A United States delegate urged that the problem should be tackled in a practical way without waiting for details of abstract principles.

M. Poincaré, addressing the Council-General of the Meuse, said France had never denied her liabilities to her foreign creditors, and was resolved to meet her debts loyally and in the full measure of her power, and within the limit of the possibilities of transfer.

27 SEPTEMBER 1926

Towards the end of the final meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva, news was received that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies had approved of the return of Argentina to the league. During the meeting Viscount Cecil referred to the difference between British and French mentalities as one of the difficulties of the work of the League.

No developments in the coal deadlock took place during the week-end. A national delegate conference of the Miners’ Federation has been summoned to meet on Wednesday, and the Miners’ Executive hope to meet the General Council of the Trade Union Congress to-morrow.

Mr A. J. Cook, the miners’ secretary, speaking at Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean, said they had reached the limit of their concessions. He would rather that every pit should shut down than that men should be driven back under conditions of longer hours and lower wages. At a previous meeting, near Radstock, in Somerset, Mr Cook said, “We have got to compromise now.”

Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P., addressing a meeting of railway workers at Manchester, pleaded for goodwill and co-operation in the railway service. He advocated the principle that in demanding the best from the other side they must be prepared to give the best in return.

Mr Frank Hodges, secretary to the International Miners’ Federation, has carried his controversy with Mr A. J. Cook a stage further. In a statement Mr Hodges asks the miners to exercise their inviolable right to a ballot vote, and to declare to the world that they are not mere pawns in the game.

22 SEPTEMBER 1926

The Miners’ Executive discussed the Government’s plan for the settlement of the coal dispute. The Government’s policy, the Executive state in a letter to the Premier, has created a new and grave situation. The four officials of the Miners’ Federation met the Prime Minister at Downing Street. The discussions were adjourned until to-day.

The attempt of the famous French “ace,” Captain René Fonck, to fly from New York to Paris resulted in disaster at the start, the giant Sikorsky biplane crashing in flames. Fonck and Curtis, the second pilot, had miraculous escapes, but the mechanic and the wireless operator were killed.

A cyclone swept the city of Encarnacion in Paraguay and over 100 deaths are reported.

The hurricane which levelled Miami and the pleasure resorts of Eastern Florida has exacted heavy toll at towns on the Gulf of Mexico in its onward sweep. It now appears that certain islands of the Bahamas group have also suffered badly. President Coolidge has received from the King a message of personal sympathy with the American people in the disaster which has befallen them, and the British Government has communicated with the White House in a similar sense.

Resolutions to be submitted to the conference on October 6 at Scarborough of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations call upon the Government to amend the law relating to Trade Unions. They state that present legislation does not safeguard the public against strikes, or the individual member against intimidation, victimisation, and the use of his contributions for purposes he does not approve. The Prime Minister will address a mass meeting organised by the Union on October 7.

Dutch troops mutinied following an officer’s refusal to comply with a demand for more beer. The guard fired on the mutineers, and one innocent non-commissioned officer was killed and a number of privates were wounded.

21 SEPTEMBER 1926

The Executive of the Miners’ Federation met in London to consider the Government’s proposals for district settlements and a resumption of work with a National Appeal Tribunal established by legislation after the return to work. No decision was arrived at by the Executive, who adjourned until this morning, when the discussion will be resumed. A member of the Executive stated that they had so far expressed no opinions either for or against the Government’s scheme.

A Court of Investigation has been set up to deal with the differences which have arisen regarding the national coal trimming tariff.

Latest reports confirm the appalling extent of the catastrophe which has befallen the pleasure cities of the East Coast of Florida. Miami and its consort towns have been razed to the ground, the dead number more than a thousand, and the whole area is isolated, making relief difficult and slow.

M. Briand is said to be confident of the approval of his tentative agreement with Dr Stresemann by his Ministerial colleagues, who meet to-day to consider it.

Messages from China state that the position of foreigners in Chunking, on the Yangste, further inland than Hankow and Ichang, is serious. Houses have been looted, and it has been decided to begin the evacuation of foreigners to Ichang. The two British boats seized at Wanhsien are to be surrendered, following negotiations at Ichang. The Cantonese Government have intimated to the British Consul-General at Canton that the boycott of British goods will end on October 10. The strikers will be compensated out of the proceeds from special taxes to be imposed.

Satisfaction was expressed in Australia at the announcement of the proposed visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to open the Federal Parliament at Canberra.

Racecourse bookmakers from all parts of the country, at a meeting in London to consider the collection of the Betting Tax, decided that the backer should be charged two per cent. on winning bets and winning stakes combined.

20 SEPTEMBER 1926

The Executive of the Miners’ Federation will meet to-day to consider the Government’s new offer for a settlement of the coal dispute. In a speech at the week-end, Mr Cook, the miners’ secretary, said that the situation had never been more critical. The Executive might come to the men with a recommendation they would not like, but it would be the best they could obtain in the circumstances. It is hoped in well-informed quarters that the Executive will accept the offer, but it is possible that the Executive may summon a delegate conference and allow it to decide.

In the North Cumberland by-election Captain F. Graham, the Unionist nominee, was returned with a majority of 1,396 over Mr R. D. Holt, Liberal.

In declaring open the Civil Service Sports Ground at Scotstoun, Glasgow, the Earl of Balfour remarked that games formed a great part of the public life of the people, and though he was not prepared to assert that games were never abused, he confidently believed they were one of the healthiest elements in our individual and public life.

The Earl of Balfour, speaking at the annual dinner of His Majesty’s Civil Service in Scotland, held in Glasgow, said the Civil Service ranked at least on an equality with the three great fighting Services — the Navy, the Army, and Flying Corps.

Many lives were lost in a hurricane disaster in West Florida.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York christened the new motor lifeboat the “John Russell” at Montrose. The lifeboat is the first of its kind in Scotland.

28 AUGUST 1926

The verbatim report of the conference between Ministers and miners’ leaders at Downing Street makes it clear that the Government have rejected overtures for further financial assistance to the coal industry.

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The men having refused Lord Vernon’s terms for a resumption of work at Poynton Colliery, in Cheshire, the ponies have been brought to bank as the first step in the closing down of the colliery foreshadowed by the owner.

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Austrian Trade Unionists have levied themselves in support of the British miners.

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The Ambassadors’ Conference have sent a Note to the German Government insisting on the fulfilment without delay of the demands of the Inter-Allied Military Mission in regard to Germany’s disarmament. Official circles in Berlin regard the Note as coming at an inopportune moment in view of Germany’s impending entry into the League of Nations.

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A Paris telegram states that French diplomacy has been taken by surprise both by the manner and the matter of the Spanish Note on the Tangier question.

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Elections are to be held in Greece on October 24.

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Further details have been received of the advance of the Cantonese “Red” Army in Central China. The “Reds” have taken a large number of prisoners. The important treaty port of Hankow is their immediate objective.

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Chinese pirates, who were disguised as passengers, have looted the Norwegian steamer Sandviken near Hong-Kong, getting away with booty valued at 20,000 dollars.

27 AUGUST 1926

A conference took place at 10 Downing Street between miners’ leaders and members of the Government. A bulletin was afterwards issued stating that the coal situation had been reviewed, and that a verbatim report would be published to-day.

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A six hours’ conflict between police and miners in the St Helen’s district is reported. Several baton charges were made, and the police were stoned, several mounted men being struck by missiles. Two photographic pressmen were mobbed and threatened with immersion in the canal, and their cameras were smashed.

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There is a probability of a withdrawal of safety men in the South Wales coalfield, and the Bentley (Doncaster) Branch of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association have passed a resolution withdrawing authority to 300 of their members to continue working as safety men.

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A party of miners and miners’ wives leave for Russia to-day, under the auspices of the Miners’ Federation, with the object of collecting funds.

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One of the most terrible accidents in the history of motor racing occurred at Boulogne. Captain R. Howey, a well-known British motorist, and a spectator were killed. Three other onlookers were injured.

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An inquest was held at Weybridge on George L. Parkes, Norbury, a racing motor cyclist, who was killed at Brooklands. Parkes was hurled forty yards from his machine.

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A Geneva message states that M. Ninchitch, Foreign Minister of Jugo-Slavia, will likely be the President of the seventh Assembly of the League of Nations.

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A Greek Cabinet has been formed by General Kondilis.

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Four of the accused in the conspiracy trial at Angora were sentenced to death.

26 AUGUST 1926

At a Privy Council at Balmoral, a new Proclamation of Emergency was signed. A second Proclamation summons Parliament to meet on Monday next, August 30.

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The miners’ leaders have asked for an interview with the Minister of Labour, who has been left in charge of the coal situation by the Government.

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In order to prevent intimidation of returning miners, the Home Office has made elaborate police provision.

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A meeting of the National Joint Trimming Committee failed to reach an agreement in connection with the coal-trimming dispute. It was decided to invite the Ministry of Labour to appoint a Court of Inquiry.

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Mr Lloyd George, in an address to the Inter-Jewish University Federation delegates at Bangor, paid a tribute to the patriotism of the race during the war. He revealed how a discovery by Dr Weizmann, a Zionist leader, had helped the Allies to win.

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The officers of the Spanish Artillery are reported to have demanded the dismissal of General Primo de Rivera, the Prime Minister.

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Considerable dissensions have manifested themselves in the Air Sub-Committees on Disarmament at Geneva.

100 YEARS AGO

His Majesty the King has arrived at Balmoral Castle.

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The Rev. Dr Norman Maclean, St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, has been appointed one of the Chaplains-in-Ordinary to His Majesty in Scotland.

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The Privy Council meets at Balmoral Castle to-day to recall Parliament for Monday next to confirm the Emergency Regulations.

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Following Mr Cook’s hurried week-end tour to “stop the rot” in the Midlands, a considerable falling-off in the number of miners who had resumed work is reported. A serious feature of the situation is an outbreak of violence and intimidation.

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Admiral Koundouriotis has definitely decided to reassume office as President of the Greek Republic till the new elections have been held. A Coalition Cabinet is to be formed. General Pangalos has been transferred from Athens to the island of Ægina.

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The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs stated at the close of a meeting of the Cabinet that he would not be attending the forthcoming League meeting at Geneva. The problems of Tangier and the League of Nations were discussed at the Cabinet Council.

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According to news received in Paris, there is danger of another seditious movement in the Spanish Army owing to the dissatisfaction prevailing with the new conditions in regard to the promotion of Artillery and Engineer officers.

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Dr Marx, the German Chancellor, speaking at the Catholic Convention at Breslau, complained that the various sections of the nation were too much under the spell of a spirit of individualism.

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Mr Charlton, the Australian Labour leader, in a speech at Weston, New South Wales, expressed himself opposed to the proposed constitutional alteration giving the Government special powers to protect the interest of the public in case of an actual or probable interruption of any essential service.

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A man exploded a bomb in a bank at Pittsburgh, U.S.A. The interior of the building was wrecked. One person was killed, and many were injured.