Of late both sides have shown a disposition to settle the strike,
because many of the big contracts for work have had to be given out in
foreign countries, owing to the duration and strength of the strike; but
as neither side seems willing to give in, matters are at a standstill.
The Prince of Wales and Mr. Gladstone have both been asked to arbitrate
the strike, but both of these great men have declined to interfere in
the matter.
The engineers, however, realize that something must be done, so they are
trying to bring the matter to an end by calling out such a number of
other workmen that the trade of the country will be brought to a
standstill.
There was a rumor that the engineers who work on the steamships would be
called out and forced to go on strike. If this should prove true, every
kind of business would be interfered with, for no steamers could leave
the English ports without properly certificated engineers to run them,
and no foreign mail of any sort could be sent out or brought into the
country.
The agents of the great lines running between this country and England,
which are nearly all owned by English firms, declared that they were not
afraid of the strike hurting them.
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