SQUATTERS IN LONDON

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24982, 17 September 1946, Page 7

SQUATTERS IN LONDON

PRECAUTIONS BY POLICE COMMUNIST LEADERS CHARGED (NJS. Press Association—Copyritht) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept 18. Scotland Yard’s anti-squatter precautions were put into force last night when the Yard received an anonymous telephoned warning that squatters intended invading empty houses in a row facing Regent’s- Park, says the “Daily Mail.” Only one of this row of dilapidated Regency period mansions is at present occupied. Two hundred special constables posted around the row kept a night watch. Represehtatives of squatters from the Bedford House, Fountain Court, and the Ivanhoe Hotel attended a mass demonstration in Hyde Park organised by the Communists, after which 1000 sympathisers marched through the West End to Leicester square. Mounted police headed and followed the procession, which was noisy but orderly. The marchers carried banners calling for the requisition of empty mansions and luxury flats. They shouted the slogans: "Stand by the Squatters” and “Stop Black Market Repairs.” The Communist Party has issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of writs and warrants against the squatters and their helpers and protesting against the "soulless degrading circular" issued by the Minister of Health, in which he requested the local authorities to refuse admission and essential services to squatters. The rector of Marylebone, the Rev. Hugh Matthews, accepted an invitation to conduct a service for the Abbey Lodge squatters. He said afterwards that there were about 100 persons Inside the building. AU were sleeping on the bare boards. They seemed fairly happy, but their situation was very difficult. Neither he nor the church condoned their action. The five prominent Communists who were arrested on Saturday were charged with inciting persons to trespass on private property and were remanded on bail till next week.