Meanwhile the prolonged stoppage of coal mining is having a paralyzing effect on the principal industrial districts. Manchester is described as presenting an unparalleled appearance. Many shops and warehouses are closed, and business is gradually coming to a standstill, despite the revival of textile orders from overseas markets and British steel-makers' more advantageous position owing to the improvement in the exchange value of Belgian currency. On the other hand, the prospect of an improvement in railway services is indicated by the announcement thatthe London and South-Western Railway Company will increase and accelerate its train service from Monday.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.