THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1875, 20 March 1913, Page 5

THE SUFFRAGETTES.

McKENNA'S DILEMMA. FANATICS WHO COURT DEATH Press Assn—By Telegraph—Copyright Recieved 11 p.m. Loudon, March 19. In the House of Commons during the debate on the Home Office vote the Rt. Hon. McKenna's ineptitude in dealing with the suffragettes was severely criticised. Lord Robert Cecil advocated deportation ; otherwise he said Lynch law would become inevitable. Forcible feeding was futile and disgusting. If the Government was unable to solve the problem they must resign. Mr McKenna denied that the lawhad broken down. Of 66 ponvicted since the New Year 37 had served their sentences, and 21 were still in prison. Eight suffered from diseases preventing forcible feeding. The fanatical character of the women must he remembered. Some pretended to take fooijl, but surreptitiously starved, hoping to die. One sponged herself and lay without bed clothes during the wiiole of a cold night. Some refused water in addition to refusing food. If one of them were allowed to die scores would follow their lead. These fanatics no more feared death than did the savage followers of the Mahdi. The Home Office proposes to ask for power to release the hunger strikers.