“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3061, 13 November 1912, Page 79

“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

“WITH THE WOMEN.”

September 27. The state opening of the village institute, presented by Mr Lloyd George to the place •where he lived as a boy (called Llanystymdwy), was the scene on Saturday of another disgraceful and brutal attack by Welshmen upon women whose only offence was to ask for the vote. In Ids native village the Chancellor of the Exchequer is looked upon as a little god, and quarrymen and farmers and others gathered from miles around; but the Metropolitan and local police, who were guarding Mr Lloyd George at the Welsh hamlet from the suffragettes, feared that if any of these brave women put in_ an appearance it would be at the risk of their lives, and the trains were watched. It was ascertained that on the day previous to the opening a number of suffragettes had arrived at Criccieth (about two miles from Llanystymdwy). There was an enormous gathering of Welshwomen as well as Welshmen at the opening of the institute, and the crowd was intoxicated with hero-worship. For two hours Mr Lloyd George was extolled' in verse and prose, and hailed as “ The Star of Britain ” almost as the light of the earth. There was Welsh singing and speeches. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer was in the full flow of his eloquence a voice said “Votes for Women!” for which everybody had been listening. In an instant there was an uproar. Mr Lloyd George was angry, although he asked the crowd not to hurt the woman, who, surrounded by the police, who had been quicker to protect her than the men to injure, was conducted into safety through a yelling mob, in which the women were as fierce as the men. Quieting the crowd, Mr Lloyd George proceeded with his speech. Again from another part came the cry “ Votes for Women!” The police who surrounded the woman were struck and buffeted by the crowd, who tried to get at her. Women, in a panic of fear, rushed on to the platform beside Mr Lloyd George, who was guarded by detectives. He sprang on to a table, and started the singing of “ Land of Our Fathers, 5 ’ in which the crowd joined, then proceeded again with his speech. Right in the middle of the crowd, unprotected by the police, another courageoffs woman demanded “Votes for Women!” and then a fourth. The crowd got at them, and instantly their clothes were torn off them to the waist, their hair torn, out in handfuls, and undoubtedly they would have been beaten to death with sticks and fists had not the police got to their protection and took the blows themselves. One woman was thrown over a hedge, and would have been killed but that a stalwart policeman caught her. The women were finally got to a cottage, where clothing was supplied them in place of that which the noble specimens of manhood, had stripped from their bodies and were distributing in fragments among the crowd as tokens of their valour. Then the bruised and bleeding suffragettes, who had risked their lives for their convictions, were driven off in a motor car. Mr Lloyd George finished his speech, and there was more praising and singing. There is no indication that the past rough handling will deter the suffragettes from their militant tactics in the future ; indeed, with every victim to the treatment to which it is now becoming common to subject these women a dozen others join the ranks. Moral courage has always been allowed to women, and many women who shrink from and sicken at a phvsical blow have home blow after blow ‘ mentally with unfailing courage. Of later years it is a sign of the times that a new physical courage is being developed in women, which does not among the younger generation flinch so sensitively from physical hurt and danger. The daughters will risk what the mother's shrink from. But the new body is the evolution of the new mind, the now outlook of the woman on life, which is partnership with, man-partnership with his dangers where she cannot have his protection. That the large part which snort and outdoor amusement takes in the education of the girl of to day undoubtedly strengthens her nerve and develops physical endurance and “pluck” there can" be no denying. But it does more than th : s; it teaches her honesty and honour in “playing the game,” and if man’s chivilv is on the decrease—which I doubt, except in the unessential nothings pertaining to the helpless days of crinolines and curls—-a new chivalry is evolving, that of woman for woman, which has been long lacking. Among tire best o' women it ,is no longer “cricket” to steal from another woman bv detraction, and tbe woman who does so is marked as “not the right sort.’ No flower or fruit is gained but by something lost in the transition stage. Autumn lo=es Hie charm of the spring, and if woman loses something of her charm in gaining her strength—well, the world to-day needs strength-woman’s part in it anyway : and any union, either in game or in cause, that must be played as one in aim and sympathy and know ledge, is o distinct gain in chivalry and fair-play from woman to woman. Woman’s essential femininity does not change with the fashions of thought 'and action —the wife, the mother, is always there for the man. The true sympathy and understanding and generosity and graciousness of deed do not always come from ihe women of softest skin and most charming manners, but from the women who have known rough roads. I should like to draw the attention of readers to the volume “The Poems of Rosamund Marriot-Watson,” the late wife

(Specially Written for the Witness Ladies’ Page.)

I of Mr Marriott-Wateon. The hook is published by John Lane. Mr Watson in a preface says that in his judgment they possess ‘‘beauty and immortal quality.” Beauty they most certainly possess; beauty of vivid colouring and expression, and if the “immortal quality” be the power of expressing humanity and human love, hope, sorrow, wistfulness, and courage, then that quality is here. The last verses in the book arc sad with the weariness of autumn life— I shall be glad when all the leaves are gone, j These rich and glittering vestments of cle- | cay— I Summer is dead, and autumn passed away; Why should the funeral pyre still smoulder I on? I shall be glad wlicn all my days are done, 'l To make an end of Hope, and Fear, and I . Grief—- | As the kind earth takes back the fallen 1 leaf. So may she take, and keep, this weariest one. Amid the medley of ironic things We break our hearts upon from age to- age Glimmers a question, —Had tho bird no j wings, Who would have taken thought to build a j cage ? Those who want a book for a grim or ' tired or grumpy hour should ask for Helen Mar’s “May I Tell You a Story?” which provides a generous shilling’s worth of smiles. Here is one smile; —-“Can you tell a feller how to learn a girl to swim?” said a boy. “Oh” said the other kiddie, “you goes up to her gentle like, takes her hand gentle, leads her gently down to the water, puts yer arm gently round her waist. . . .” “Oh, gam,” interrupted the boy, “what’s the matter wid yer? She’s my sister.' 5 “Yer sister’: Oh, shove her in!” j The Court is still at Balmoral, and the ' Scottish season is in full swing. While the King was at Cambridge last week Queen Mary," among other visits, paid one to Fyvie with Princess Mary, motoring from Balmoral. Fyvie Castle is said to be one of the finest bits of baronial architecture in Scotland, and was a Royal residence in the time of King Robert ill, and in the time of James I passed into the hands of Lord Fyvie. Mary Queen of Scots was tho last Queen Mary to visit Fyvie till the other day, when our present Mary was the guest. Her Majesty planted a copper beech, as a memorial of her visit, among the trees planted by Queen Victoria, King Alfonso, and other Royalties. The castle is surrounded by most beautiful country, and the drive through woods of firs and larch and sycamores very enjoyable. Queen Alexandra is still among her own people of Denmark and Norway, but will return to her home in Norfolk” in November. It has been a consolation to the bereaved house of Denmark to have her Majesty with them. Next spring it is expected that the widowed Queen will partially resume her place in society and entertain at Marlborough House. There has been a decided improvement in the weather this week. The sun has actually been visible, although keen northcast winds make fires and furs a necessity. Rapturous headlines in the newspapers have heralded “A Return of Summer !” “A Second Summer!” although the person cannot bo found in England who has acknowledge of a summer past or present, second or first, this year. Bat it has left off raining.