The Prime Minister on Friday, April 8th, urged the miners'
leaders to meet the coal-owners, on the understanding that they should first discuss the means of saving the mines from destruc- tion. The miners again replied that they would go into a conference to discuss all the questions involved, but that they would not agree to talk first about the pumping of the pits. In announcing his failure to the House, the Prime Minister said that the Government must save the mines from destruction. They would call for volunteers to man the pumps, and they would raise an emergency Defence Force of loyal citizens. The Prime Minister brought a Proclamation signed by the King, calling out the Reserves of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. The same night the War Office appealed to loyal citizens, including the Territorials, to enrol themselves in " Defence Units " for ninety days' service in Great Britain. The respOnae was immediate and enthusiastic.
Previous page
