Osaka, Feb. 28.
Life is gradually returning at Yawata. The troops which had been sent to preserve order took no action but merely stood by. Thanks to the intervention of members of the "Society for the Maintenance of Japanese National Ideals" a temporary settlement of the matters in dispute has been reached. This society consists ut the "Kyokaku" who are a class to themselves and are very influential among working men. The officials, though non-committal, showed willingness to concede a 10-hour day and an increase of wages. The latter point, however, is a difficult one, as the dissolution of the Dist has delayed the passage. of the Budget, but the officials will no doubt devise a means of meeting this demand.
Commenting on the situation the "Yawata Mainichi" says: "Tt is very doubtful if the workers will remain quiet long. When the, last strike ended we were afraid that it was an armistice and not a permanent peace. An armistice based on mutual understanding may last and even lead to peace, but an enforced armistice. never. From many sources we gather that the authorities showed a lack of sincerity towards the workers' demands and that their - ambiguity and evasion, which were not unaccompanied by a high-handed policy, utterly disappointed the workers, driving them to desperation. The authorities seem to believe that the voice raised by the strike leaders docs not represent the whole of the workers. How can we know if this is so? In a country like ours, where there are no trade unions and no labour organizations for the purpose 2f conducting collective bargaining, it is inevitable that the few should lead and the many follow. On the other hand, the workers must retrain from' violent actions. Strike they may, but it must in an orderly manner. That is the only way to win. Otherwise the public will not sympathize with them. The public knows whether their claims are just or not. No government is strong enough to withstand public opinion, when it is behind a just cause. We sincerely hope that the Government will try to meet the workers' demands, if they are just and reasonable."
Work was partially resumed at the Yawata Ironworks this morning.—Reuter.
Osaka,' March 1.
The ironworks here have temporarily suspended work owing to labour trouble.
Complete resumption of work at Yawata is expected to take place to-morrow. The total losses caused by the two strikes are estimated at one million yen-
Movies axp Crass Harpe.
The prefectural film censors are alarmed at the increasing importa.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.