ENGLISH SUMMARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 17 November 1887, Page 2

ENGLISH SUMMARY.

THE LONDON RIOTS

FULL ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

Per Electric Telegraph — Copyright

reuter’s telegrams

Per s.s. Cartharge at King George’s Sound.

Received Nov 16, at 8.30 p.m. London, Oct 14

After a comparative failure of the agitators on Saturday and Sunday it was expected that Monday would see the end of the demonstrations. This however was not the caso for by eleven o’clock on Monday morning fully 2000 men and youths assembled in Trafalgar Square and listened to the speeches denouncing the Government, the Lord Mayor, clergy and the money class. It was decided by the crowd to send a deputation to the Mansion House and that the remainder should await their return. This was accordingly done and upon the arrival of the deputation at the Mansion House it was found that the Lord Mayor was away, but the sitting Magistrate Alderman, Sir Henry Knight, received three of the deputation in the Justi.ee room. When questioned it turned out that all three men were not members of the unemployed, but wore master men, one being a toy-maker, another being a bootmaker and the third a painter. Sir Henry Knight listened attentively to their grievances and explained that he was unable to give them any assistance, but assured them of his sympathy, as long as they acted in accordance with and under the authority of the law. The deputation then returned to Trafalgar square, where a quarrel aroso between three of their number who had not interviewed Sir Henry Knight denouncing the others as capitalists. The latter wore much abused and one had to flee from violence. The crowd then decided to march in a body to the Mansion House to express its dissatisfaction, at the reply-to their representations. The police endeavored to prevent the procession starting, but the mob forced its way to Charing Cross where the police headed thorn. A serious scrimmage then commenced; the mob being ultimately driven back to the square, where several throating speeches were delivered. The police then ordered them to clear the square but this was not effected without much trouble, many of the police;being' seriously injured by stones and cut by buckles taken off belts. Eleven arrests wore made several of the prisoners being seriously injured by the police, altho’ the latter behaved with great forbearance.

Next clay the police allowed no one in Trafalgar square arid the agitators consequently moved to Hyde Park where about IKK) or 1000 of the rougher class assembled and after the usual seditious speeches were delivered the mob headed by an unkepfc lad 10 years’ old, carrying a rod flag, started to march through' the West End. They intended to leave the park by the gate on the Bay water side, but they were foiled in this by

the police, who blocked the gateway. The mob armed themselves with brandies of trees, pieces of iron hurdles and chair and vigorously attacked the police and a running fight took place over the outside area of the ground, the police ultimately cleared the ground, hive or six officers were severely inj urecl and many badiy bruised. On Wednesday a mob of 1000 stroug again assembled in Hyde Parkland marched from thence to the Thames embankment. They had frequent scrimmages on the road with the police, and many of the rioters wore trounchooned, but at iWvor Square they.sn-'-ossfully resisted the df-nds of tin police to stop their progress.

[During the last week London has been the scene of most disgraceful rioting on the part of a number of roughs, idlers and loafers in assisting the so-called demonstrations of the unemployed. The disturbance commenced last week, when a small knot of men started addressing the outcasts who take refuge every night in Trafalgar Square. This was followed by meetings in the daytime, and the delivery of many violent speeches. On Friday last the agitators marched -in procession to the Mansion House with a black flag prominently displayed, bearing the inscription “We will have work or bread.” The procession proceeded by way of the Strand, Fleet-street and st Paul’s Churchyard, greatly imped l ng the traffic in the city. A large force of police accompanied the procession to keep order. On the arrival at the Mansion House several leaders among tiie crowd wished to enter the building, but the Lord Mayor absolutely refused to see them. This caused much offence to the demonstrators, and several speakers roundly abused the Mayor. The rain which had been falling caused a great number of the crowd to disperse, but a large body marched back in procession through the city. On passing the Standard office the mob hissed and groaned on account of the leading article published in that paper which was unfavorable to demonstrations. Here the mob first came into actual collision with the police. Several constables were assaulted and a number of youth arrested. On Saturday there were further demonstrations in Trafalgar Square, the mob afterwards marching through the city to Stepney, where they dispersed without disturbance. On Sunday demonstrations assembled in Trafalgar square and marched to Westminster Abbey with the intention of attending, but divine service had commenced and consequently there was no room, and as they were unable to enter they marched back to the square whore they dispersed quietly. The chief political event has been the visit of Mr Joseph Chamberlain to Ireland. Throughout Ulster Mr Chamberlain was received with the utmost enthusiasm, and a large gathering of loyalists took place to do him honor. Hostile demonstration were very few in number. Mr Chamberlain boldly re-affirmed Radical opinions, but admitted that for the moment greater issues were at stake, and declared emphatically the opinion that the Union must be maintained at any price. A. new incident is reported which forcibly demonstrates the general insecurity of property in Ireland. Thirty horses, valued at over £2OOO, belonging to Captain Reed, a gentleman who has had no quarrel w [th anyone, have been poisoned wholesale at Clonsilla. Already over a dozen of the animals are dead.. ■ . ‘; j< ; ; • ;

It is considered likely an attempt will be made to strengthen the Ministry before the end of the year, and it is probable the Marquis of Ilartinglou will join the Cabinet, but it is difficult to say what position his Lordship would assume. It is believed the changes to be made will be mostly limited to the House of Lords, and it is stated Lord Cross will retire to give place to Lord Randolph Churchill.