WOMEN’S FRANCHISE

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 26

WOMEN’S FRANCHISE

RENEWAL OF INCENDIARISM

LONDON, August 5

The residence of the late Sir George. Newnes, at Lynton (Devonshire), valued at £12,000, has been destroyed by fire. Several bombs were found, and the suffragettes are suspected. , Suffragettes set fire to Heathdown Mansion, at Waldingham. The gardener, with other servants, extinguished the flames, but the staircase was destroyed and other damage done. August 10. The suffragettes set fire to two highergrado schools in Sutton and Ashfield, using paraffin and explosives. The police cut the fuses, and the brigades extinguished the fires before serious damage was done. When some suffragettes attempted to horsewhip a policeman a party of women who had just been released from gaol ran to his rescue. A sharp melee followed, the suffragettes being quickly worsted, and had to be rescued from the police. The ordinary prisoners display a strong antipathy to the suffragettes, because they are released while others are obliged to serve their sentences. These women were obviously delighted at the opportunity of ventilating their grievances in a practical manner. OTHER ACTIVITIES. LONDON, August 5. Mrs Pankhuret, looking very ill, held a meeting in Kingsway Hall. The police did not attempt to arrest her, though her license has expired. Her license was sold at auction for £IOO. Miss Annie Kenny's license realised £l6. August 7. Mrs R;gby, the suffragette, has been released as the result of a hunger strike. August fl. The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies waited on Mr Asquith. They pointed out the great advance the demand had made and the favourable opinion with which it was now regarded. It was becoming a matter for the democracy rather than a sex. Mr Asquith said he had received the deputation because of the very impressive law-abiding demonstrations in Hyde Park on a recent Sunday. He advised the deputation to proceed on non-militant lines, and asserted that if they converted the public nothing would prevent their final success. One hundred and fifty Anglican clergymen petitioned Mr Asquith with reference to the “ Cat and Mouse” Act, against the cruel and unprecedented pro■cedure of the law. August 10. A free-speech demonstration in Trafal-

gar square, at which Mr J. C. Wedgwood, M.P., Mr Will Thorne. M.P., end Mr G. Lansbury, ex-M.P., spoke, culminated in Sylvia Pankhurst’s arrest for leading an attack on Downing street. A hand-to-hand fight ensued, in which the police used their truncheons. August 11. The promoters of the Trafalgar square demonstration were dismayed when Mies Pankhurst made her appearance. Mr Wcdgewood, M.P., who presided, discountenanced any disorder. Suddenly Miss Pankhurst climbed on to the plinth of the Nelson column, and unfurled a flag which was inscribed as follows :—“Deeds not words; the argument of sticks and stpnes is going to win women’s freedom.” After making a violent tirade and closely attended by her bodyguard of East End youths she ran to Whitehall. The police arrested Miss Pankhurst, 10 men, and 11 women. A party of militants went to Westminster Abbey and chanted the Pankhurst litany. They refused to desist, and the vergers thereupon escoi'ted them outside. When Mr Lloyd George was returning to London he altered his plans. He stopped the express at a wayside station, and thus frustrated a suffragette “ holdup.”