Scientist Arouses Ire Of Protest Marchers

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28556, 9 April 1958, Page 7

Scientist Arouses Ire Of Protest Marchers

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, April 7. Thousands of angry demonstrators today attacked a loudspeaker van which told the anti-H-bomb marchers that they were “voting with their feet” for Soviet domination. The attack came when the marchers, many of whom had tramped the 50 miles from London to the Atomic Weapons Research Estaolis ment at Aldermaston, neared the end of their trek. The van drove ahead of the thousands of marchers with the speaker shouting- “You are increasing the risk of war.” The van drove into a field near the research centre, where the final rally was being held, and was surrounded by demonstrators who unplugged the loudspeaker and pulled it from the top of the car. Marchers rockeu the van from aide to side. The boot was dented and a rear light smashed. Banners on the van reading: “Khrushchev’s Bunion Derby” were torn off. The driver was punched and men tried to drag him on to the grass. Someone threw a stone at the x_n while police and officials fought to keep the crowd oack. People ’-renched open the back door and tore up documents which were inside. Making the broadcast from the v-a was Mr Kennedy McWhirter, an Oxford scientist, who said he represented no political party. His brother, Mr Norris .McWhirter, was driving. Mr Kennedy McWhirter said

afterwards: ‘‘lt was extremely interesting to see this supposedly non-yiolent organisation turned to violence when the opposite point of view was put in words to them.”

The marchers left London on Good Friday after leaders of the campaign for nuclear disarmament had addressed them in Trafalgar Square. About 5000 started out, but the numbers dwindled along the road. On Saturday about 500 set out in the snow, which later turned to rain.

Sunday was cold but dry, and the procession swelled to about 1000 again. It grew to about 2000 during today’s final 10 miles to Aldermaston.

The public meeting near the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment attracted a crowd of about 12,000 people, xr*e meeting approved a resolution which will be delivered tomorrow to the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) and to the United States and Russian Ambassadors in London. It reads: ‘‘We urge the Governments of Britain, Russia and America to stop the testing, n nufacture and storing of nuclear weapons immediately.”