The Executive Committee of the Miners' Federation committed on Friday,
October 15th, what was perhaps the worst of its long series of foolish acts. It formed itself into what it calls a " Central Council of War " and decided (though all this sounds almost incredible) to demand the restoration of the conditions existing before the general strike ; to try, after all, to induce the safety-men to leave their work ; and to _try, after to bring about an embargo on the importation of foreign coal, It was . also . decided to send speakers into the various districts " to intensify " the struggle. On Monday it seemed as though the policy of intensification was having some effect, as fewer miners were at work. In any case Monday (when there is always a good deal of absenteeism) is a poor day for a test, and on_ Tuesday there were more men at work than on any :day since the dispute began. The increase over Monday was nearly 20,000. On Wednesday there was a decrease of-about 4,000. On the whole Mr. Cook seems to be failing, for he must succeed at once if he is to succeed at all.
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