Both Sides Demonstrate m London

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 September 1934, Page 7

Both Sides Demonstrate m London

, MOSLEY AND HIS FOES.

POLICE MAINTAIN ORDER

LONDON, Sept. 9.

Sir Oswald Mosley’s Black Shirts, having planned a big demonstration at Hyde Park, and a counter-demonstra-tion having been organised for the same centre by anti-Fascist organisations, the authorities, fearing serious disorder, made the most elaborate police arrangements. The processions from all parts of London, both of demonstrators and counter-demonstra-tors, were headed by mounted police, and all assembled in an orderly manner, Altogether 6000 police were on duty in the park, over which a police autpgiro hovered, giving information by wireless to police cars throughout the park. Lord Trenchard, by wireless, directed operations from Scotland Yard.

Five thousand Mosleyites were present at the demonstration. The police firmly and skilfully kept the crowds of Fascists and anti-Fascists in separate parts of the park. No serious disorder occurred, and the police never had any need to charge or use their truncheons. It was only when the crowds were dispersing that a few minor clashes occurred, resulting in IS arrests. A few people were slightly injured in the crush. As’ no loudspeakers had been erected, only a handful of people nearest the platforms heard a /word of the rival orators’ harangues.

The Mosley- supporters, estimated at teu thousand, Including a thousand women;' began to march from the Embankment via Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly. Police lined the route and accompanied the marchers. When they reached the Park the Mosleyites met ivitih" a continuous roar of hoots, jeers, and shouts of “Go to Germany!" The anti-Fascisls converged on the Park from different directions. When Mosley appeared on the platform the ahti-Pascists left their own meetings and ran across the Park. The pressure was terrific, but mounted police closed up the gaps when tho cordons broke. Many were crushed in the wild stampede to avoid the horses. Tomatoes and other missiles werehurled at Mosley, behind whom stood lieutenants wearing Black tunics, breeches and *heavy high boots.

At tho conclusion of Mosley’s address mounted police forced a passage through the crowd, through which the Fascists marched to Chelsea, escorted by, pqlice cars. When they reached tho barracks Sir Oswald Mosley, surrounded by his bodyguard, reviewed his followers. Large crowds broke through the police cordon, but were scattered by mount cd police. Sixteen were arrested. The police autogiro contributed to the success in handling the crowds. It not only encircled the demonstrations, but flew to various points in London when the procession was eonvergihgon and leaving the Park, and reported the situation wirelessly, Mosley, in the course of his address, claimed that the great heart of Britain was behind Fascism. We are assailed by the power of old political parties," he said, “who cannot meet us in fair debate and seek $o cripple *S by legislation.”