At our word, every coal pit in England would cease work, every furnace fire would go out, every factory would stand empty.

The trains would remain on their sidings, or wherever they might chance to be when the edict was pronounced.

The same with the 'buses and cabs, the same with the Underground.

Not a ship would leave any port in the United Kingdom, not a ship would be docked.

Forty-eight hours of this would do more harm than a year's civil war.