Reds Demonstrate Again In London: Eden Interrupted

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22761, 6 October 1948, Page 5

Reds Demonstrate Again In London: Eden Interrupted

(11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 5. A few minutes after Mr. Anthony Eden began speaking in support of the recruiting campaign from the Mansion House balcony, showers of anti-war handbills were thrown in the air in front of the rostrum and several men in the audience began shouting. Detectives began mingling with the crowd and mounted police immediately cut off all approaches to the Mansion House.

The words being shouted could not be heard and Mr. Eden continued speaking while the police escorted men from the crowd. Climbed 200 ft. Monument

After Mr Eden’s speech demonstrators climbed a 200 ft. high monument not far from the Mansion House and showered more leaflets bearing the imprint of the London District Communist Party depicting an exploding atom bomb.

In his speech, Mr. Eden said: "It is our duty to be strong enough to defend our people and our homes. There is one lesson which this century should have taught us—that weakness in our own island is not a contribution to peace.

‘We have, none of us, aggressive intentions towards any other country anywhere on the earth's surface, but it is our duty to be strong.

“The fact that the Western Powers have appointed commanders for their forces is a fair indication that while we in the West don’t want to hinder the way of life of any other nation, we will not yield our way of life. No Aid From Reds in 1940

“Hotherto, we have been able to use a breathing space in two great wars long enough to arm our people, and by so doing we have run to the very edge of risk.

“This is not an issue on which the Communists have a right to be heard. In 1940 when we stood alone, the Communists gave us no help, but if this country had gone down where would the world be now, and where would communism be now?" Eleven men and a woman were arrested in the anti-war demonstration during the speech yesterday by the Minister of Defence, Mr. A. V. Alexander, at the Mansion House. They appeared in Court today. The charge against the woman was dismissed and the men were bound over to keep the peace.