"The General Council had no knowledge of any such acts having occurred, and the decision taken by them definitely forbade any such independent and unauthorised action.
The Council are not aware of the circumstances under which the alleged acts have taken place. It cannot accept any responsibility for them, and is taking prompt measures to prevent any acts of indiscipline.
"The Council regret that they were not given an opportunity to investigate and deal with the alleged incidents before the Government made them an excuse for breaking off the peace discussions which were proceeding.
"The public will judge of the Government's intentions by its precipitous and calamitous decision in this matter, and we deplore with the General Council that the sincere work which the Council has been engaged in to obtain an honourable settlement has been wrecked by the Government's unprecedented ultimatum.
"Yours faithfully,
"(Signed)Arthur Pugh.
Walter M. Citrine."
The T.U.C. also made preparations with J. R. MacDonald and Arthur Henderson to have the question discussed in the House of Commons. (I have failed to inform my readers, previously, that the T.U.C. had decided to co-opt two representatives of the Labour Party, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and Mr. Henderson, to attend all meetings of the General Council). On Monday evening the Prime Minister made a statement, which was replied to by Mr. J. H. Thomas and Mr. Ramsay McDonald. I need only refer readers to Hansard, of May 3rd, where in a verbatim report of the speeches of Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Thomas they will be able to judge for themselves the attitude of these leaders. No word of defiance to the Government; no attack on the Government for acting on behalf of the coal owners, for trying to reduce wages and lengthen hours. (How could they attack the Government for this, when they were playing the same part themselves?). No encouragement to the rank and file to stand by the miners; no advance of the miners' claim for a living wage, but the most humiliating crawling and pleading such as has never before been witnessed.
I appeal to all readers to purchase Hansard for May 3rd. This report in Hansard will prove far better than any words of mine the attitude adopted by the leaders of the Labour Party during the greatest struggle ever undertaken by a section of the workers for the right to live.
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