The threatened strike of waterworks coolies for seven coppers extra a day thas been followed by other developments, and it is believed that a general strike of both skilled and unskilled labourers has been planned during the last few d Early on Thursday morning laundry workers came over in force from the French Concession with the intention of calling out their fellow-workers in the Hongkew district, after gathering up some of their brother professionals in the Sinza neighbourhood, from which about 150 more men joined in the demonstration. The men were tactfully handled by the police and Detective Sergt. Ross interviewed the leaders. Shortly afterwards, through his efforts, the procession dispersed quietly, the French contingent returning to its headquarters. Simultaneously with the action of the washermen, house carpenters on the other side of the Yangkingpang "downed tools."" latter strike was spreading. If it grows any larger, building operations will be seriously handicapped. A centre of disaffection lies, it is believed, in the French Concession, where the Guild has its headquarters. At] present the laundryman receive $8 to $10. a month. Among their demands they are asking for overtime at the rate of a dollar a month, when working from 8 o'clock in the evening until midnight. The men also say they will not work for more than half a day on Sundays, and want a full day off on National and Labour holidays. Laundry _proprietors are said to be unorganized.
Further inquiries made on Thursday evening revealed that the masons have also threatened direct action, Loca representatives of the Chinese Navy are much perturbed about the state of their finances. The treasury is empty and all efforts to move Peking into a compassionate remittance have failed. Another effort is being made to touch the Ministry of Marine for a few dollars before Dragon Boat festival. The arrears of pay are said to we very extensive. Chinese naval officers and men have sent another telegram to Peking demanding that their salaries From inquiries made on Thursday which have been for some months afternoon it was learned that we owing be paid within ten days.
The Waterworks Strike The strike of casual coolies employed by the Shanghai Waterworks Ca. came to the notice of Washerman's the Mixed Court on Tuesday, when a coolie was charged with intimidation. Detective-Sergeant Kiloh said that the strike had been in progress since last Sunday, the men demanding a daily increase in pay of nine cents. The accused tried to persuade another coolie to join the strikers and, when the man refused to do so, he was assaulted.
Mr. W. W. Monk said that the company had been having a lot of trouble lately with men like the accused, A fine of $3 was imposed, or three days' imprisonment in default of payment.
OrricraL inquiries which have been made with reference to the recent importation of 120 boxes of copper coins on board the str. Kiangfu, disclose the fact that a Customs' hu chao authorizing their removal from Ichang to Shanghai was issued and accepted by the authorities at Shanghai, the coins being consigned to the Bank of China. It is understood that the order prohibiting the import of copper coins, under article 5 of the regulations, has now been reissued.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.