WOMEN’S FRANCHISE

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 34

WOMEN’S FRANCHISE

SUFFRAGETTE ARMIES. LONDON, December 1. Two suffragette armies are now ready for action. The people’s army, under Miss Sylvia Pankhurst, had their first drill at the Bow headquarters. The volunteers shaped like awkward school children, and most of them were unable to take the business seriously. Detectives watched, laughing throughout, but did not interrupt the proceedings. The other army, under General Drummond, was raised to protect Mrs Pankhurst and Miss Kenny from re-arrest. Large numbers have joined, and secrecy is observed as to what weapons will be used. MRS PANKHURST ARRESTED. LONDON, December 4. Mrs Pankhurst w r as arrested on the arrival of the Majestic at Plymouth. The police boarded the Majestic off Plymouth, and conveyed Mrs Pankhurst unresisting to Devonport, whence she was taken by motor to Exeter prison. The militants had engaged a tug to pursue the police, but the tug was forbidden to approach the steamer. Suffragettes from all parts of the United Kingdom congregated at the Plymouth docks, and they were greatly exasperated when they found that they had been eluded. A number of others had kept vigil throughout the night at the Bristol prison, where a crowd gave them a hostile reception. December 5. The police carried out the arrest of Mrs Pankhurst in a rather humorous fashion. They issued passes to a number of journalists and suffragettes, permitting them to go out in the tender which was to bring back the passengers and mails. The journalists were elated, thinking they were going to witness the arrest and get come “ copy ” of a racy kind. When within a mile of the Majestic a bout approached the tender, and a police inspector, who was aboard, informed the White Star officials that they must not proceed until a signal was given. 'The White Star officials received the intimation with mock indignation. The tender waited half an hour, effectually screened from the Majestic by two warships, which apparently were so placed with set purpose The police boat was shortly seen to be steaming away towards Devonport, and the tender was then allowed to approach the liner. The passengers aboard the Majestic related that at dinner time the previous evening Mrs Pankhurst was advised to make the most of matters, but she only smiled dismally. December 6. Mrs Pankhurst has entered on a hunger and thirst strike. A picket at Exeter was arrested on a charge of obstructing the prison doctor’s motor car, believing that Mrs Pankhurst was a passenger. December 7. Mrs Pankhurst was released to-night, it having been found impossible to forcibly feed Iter, owing to the state of her heart. A great meeting of suffragettes in London wildly cheered the news of the release. The Bishop of Kensington presided at a clergymen’s demonstration at Queen’s Hall to protest against the forcible feeling of women who refuse food. The meeting was largely attended by suffragettes, who broke into shouts and abuse and interruptions when the chairman reproved the militants for burning and wrecking property and trawling in churches. Finally, a resolution was passed to the effect that forcible feeding was wanton torture, ineffectual in preserving the health, and a method unworthy of a Christian community. December 8. Mrs Pankhurst has been granted n week’s license. She is very weak, and it is rumoured that she is suffering from pleurisy. The Dean of Exeter, at the instance of a suffragette deputation, introduced Mrs Pankhurst’s name into the prayer for those distressed in mind, body, or estate. Mrs Drummond, speaking at a meeting at Earl’s Court, stated that they swore that the Government would never again get Mrs Pankhurst, as their bodyguards would protect her. A collection at the meeting realised £15,000, including £4600 from Mrs Pankhurst’s American tour.

MANSION DESTROYED BY FIRE. LONDON, December 5. The suffragettes burned Kelly House, a fine mansion at Wemyss Bay, and others picketed the prisons where they thought Mrs Pankhurst was likely to be sent. After the fire at Kelly House some note paper was found in the street inscribed as follows:—“The reply to the ‘Catand Mouse’ Act.” The house, which cost £60,000, had been unoccupied for six months. DESTRUCTION AT MANCHESTER. LONDON, December 7. The stiffragettes marked their appreciation of Mr Asquith’s visit to Manchester by burning the Ruhholrae Exhibition Hall, South Manchester, doing damage to the extent of £12,000. They also fired the Liverpool Exhibition and damaged the scenic railway, and attempted to burn the grand stand on the Aintree racecourse. MISS PANKHURST IN ITALY. ROME, December 1. Owing to the hostility of her audience, Muss Christabel Pankhurst was compelled to abandon her lecture in Milan. CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA. WASHINGTON, December 1. The American Women’s Suffrage Association has launched a week’s campaign to secure women’s suffrage throughout the United States. Several women and legislators have addressed mass meetings urging that a petition bo sent to the President asking him to- introduce a -Message to Congress recommending the granting of the suffrage to women. December 3The Women’s National Suffrage Convention is much disappointed at President Wilson’s failure to introduce the suffrage question in his Congressional Message. December 4. Tire suffragettes appeared before the House Rules Committee and asked for the formation of a House Committee to deal with the whole question of women’s suffrage throughout the United States. , The opponents of the proposal were also heard. They declared that working women wore likely to lose more than they would gain through the suffrage. The operation of women’s suffrage in other countries, including New Zealand and Australia, was quoted in favour of the proposal.