This created consternation among many of the General Council, and some of them were ready to immediately disown or to protest against the action of the "Daily Mail" printers. The Negotiating Committee were instructed by the General Council to again see the Prime Minister to explain to him the position, etc., but they found that he had retired. And we were politely informed that our presence was undesirable as everybody had retired, so at midnight or just after we left Downing Street for Eccleston Square, where J. H. Thomas by my side told a pressman "That the Government had declared war"; and he said to me "We must now, Cook, fight for our lives."
As is now well-known, the T.U.C.'s reply to the Prime Minister's letter breaking off negotiations ran as follows:—
"Your letter of the 3rd inst., announcing the Government's decision to terminate the discussion which had been resumed on Saturday night was received by the General Council with surprise and regret.
"The negotiations which had taken place between the Industrial Committee of the T.U.C. and representatives of the Cabinet had been adjourned for a brief period in order to allow the Industrial Committee to confer with the Full General Council and representatives of the Miners' Federation, who were on your premises, in order to advance the efforts which the Industrial Committee had persistently been making to accomplish a speedy and honourable settlement of the mining dispute.
"The Trade Union representatives were astounded to learn that without any warning the renewed conversations, which it was hoped might pave the way to the opening up of full and unfettered negotiations, had been abruptly terminated by the Government for the reason stated in your communication.
"The first reason given was that specific instructions have been sent under the authority of Trade Unions represented at the Conference convened by the General Council of the T.U.C., directing their members in several industries and services to cease work.
"I am directed to remind you that there is nothing unusual for workmen to cease work in defence of their interests as wage-earners, and that the specific reason for the decision in this case is to secure for the mineworkers the same right from the employers as is insisted upon by employers from workers, namely, that negotiations shall be conducted free from the atmosphere of strike or lock-out. This is the principle which Governments have held to be cardinal in the conduct of industrial negotiations.
"With regard to the second reason, that ’overt acts have already taken place, including gross interference with the freedom of the Press,' it is regretted that no information is contained in your letter.
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