DOWNING STREET RAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15377, 12 August 1913, Page 7

DOWNING STREET RAID

WOMEN FIGHT THE POLICE. "VIOLENCE BOUND TO WIN." TRUNCHEONS FREELY USED. SCHOOLS SET ON GRIEVANCE OF PRISONERS. HATRED OF MILITANTS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received August 11, 11.20 p.m.) London, August 11. A DEMONSTRATION in favour of free speech was held in Trafalgar Square vesterday, addresses supporting the suffragette propaganda being delivered by Mr. J. C. Wedgwood (Liberal M.P. for Newcastle-under-Lyme), Mr. Will Thome (Labour M.P. for West Ham, South), and Mr. George Lansbury (ex-Labour M.P. for Bow anct Bromley). The meeting culminated in Miss Svlvia Pankhurst, who is at liberty under license, leading an attack on the Premier's residence in Downing Street. The promoters of the demonstration were dismayed at Miss Pankhurst's appearance. Mr. Wedgwood, who was presiding, discountenanced any attempt at disorder. r

" Deeds Not Words." Suddenly, Miss Pankhurst climbed the plinth and unfurled a flag inscribed with the motto: "Deeds not words. The argument of sticks and stones is going to win women's freedom," After a violent tirade, closely attended by her bodyguard of East End youths, Miss Pankhurst ran off towards Downing Street. Hand-to-hand fighting followed, the police using their truncheons on the male followers of the suffragettes before the attack was beaten off. The police managed to arrest Miss Pankhurst, 10 men, and 11 women. A party of militants in Westminster Abbey on Sunday chanted the Pankhurst "Litany," beginning " Save Emmaline Pankhurst." They refused to desist and the escorted them outside. Incendiaries at Work. The suffragettes yesterday set fire to the higher grade schools at Sutton, Ashfield, sprinkling paraffin throughout the rooms, and leaving cans of explosives in the building. The police were in time to cut the fuses, and the brigade extinguished the fire before serious damage had been caused.

When a number of suffragettes attempted to horsewhip a man named Pearson to-day, a party of women, just released from gaol after serving sentences for offences not connected with the militant movement, ran to his rescue.

A sharp melee followed, the suffragettes being quickly worsted. They were having a bad time when rescued by the police. Threat by Miners.

Ordinary prisoners express strong antipathy to the suffragettes because the latter are released, while the rest are obliged to serve their sentences out. The women were obviously delighted at the opportunity of ventilating their grievance in a practical manner.

Mr. Lloyd-George, during an address to 10,000 miners yesterday, was much interrupted by suffragettes. The chairman threatened that the audience might duck them in a pond if they did not desist, and this had the desired effect.

SUFFRAGETTES OUTWITTED.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE ESCAPES. Times-Sydney Sun Special Cable. (Received August 11, 6.30 p.m.) London, August 10. Mr. Lloyd-George, on his return journey to London, suddenly altered his plans and had the express in which he was travelling stopped at a wayside station, where he alighted. Later, he proceeded to town by another route, thus frustrating a plot by the suffragettes to waylay him at one of the stopping places on his scheduled route.

HOW THE STRINGS ARE PULLED. Secret letters from the headquarters of the Women's Social and Political Union recently discovered, show how suffragette enthusiasm and public indignation maybe simulated. A letter given below is a revelation of how the agitation is fomented. It was sent to a few organisers throughout Britain. The text is as follows:—"We hope that you will do all in your power to carry out the following schemes with regard to the Cat and Mouse Act: (1) Get many letters of protest written to members of Parliament in your district on this question. (2) Deputations ought to go to members (suffragist or anti-suffragist) of Parliament on. the question. (3) All political organisations and all women's organisations ought to be approached. (4)" Meetings of protest oucrht to be held in every town and city with some prominent person in the chair, even though ho does not approve of our methods. (5) Perhaps you could get ono or two peonle from your centre to come up to London to lobby. (6) All progressive groups, such as tho Fabian Society and Socialist groups, should be approached. (7) The press should be flooded with letters and articles, and all editors should be called on. (8) Special work should bo done among the clergy, doctors, and all prominent people, who should be urged not only to write letters to the local press, but to use all their influence with members of Parliament, also with Mr. McKenna and the Prime Minister."