POLICE VICTORY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 7

POLICE VICTORY

FASCIST DEMONSTRATION HUGE CROWDS AT HYDE PARK LAW AND ORDER WINS DAY CLASHES BETWEEN PARTIES MAJOR TROUBLE AVERTED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 9.

Though Fascists and anti-Fascists claim a demonstration in Hyde Park as a triumph for their respective causes, no doubt the victory went to the police, representing the forces of law and order. Such enormous crowds have probably not before been seen at open-air gatherings in England, the park being black with people. Though the majority were sight-seers, treating the demonstrations as an amusing spectacle, thousands arrived in a truculent temper. The sinister sound of mingled jeers and cheers could be heard far from the park. The police handled the crowds with consummate skill. They carefully segregated the rival- demonstrators, averting all possibility of a big clash. A solid cordon of police surrounded Sir Oswald Mosley’s supporters with mobile troops, and there were mounted police within the cordon, who galloped,to poin"- where the crowds ,threatened to break through. The speeches were inaudible owing to the incessant shouting of the supporters of both parties. The Mosleyites, estimated at 10,000, including a thousand women, began their march from the Victoria Embankment via Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly. Police lined the route and accompanied the marchers. When they reached the park the Mosleyites met continuous roars, hoots, jeers and shouts of Go to Germany.” The anti-Fascists converged on the park from different directions. When Sir Oswald Mosley appeared on the platform the anti-Fascists left their own meetings and ran across the park. The pressure was terrific, but the mounted police closed up the gaps when the cordons broke. Many were crushed in a wild stampede to avoid the horses. Tomatoes and other missiles were hurled at Sir Oswald Mosley, behind whom stood his lieutenants wearing black tunics, breeches and heavy high boots. At the conclusion of Sir Oswald Mosley’s address the mounted police forced a passage through the crowd through which the Fascists marched to Chelsea, escorted by police cars. When they reached the barracks Sir Oswald Mosley, surrounded by a bodyguard, reviewed his followers. Large crowds broke through the police cordon, but were scattered by mounted police. Sir Oswald Mosley in the course of his address claimed that the great heart of Britain was behind Fascism. “We are assailed by the power of the old political parties who cannot meet us in fair debate, but who seek to cripple us by legislation,” he said. Fearing serious disorder, the police made elaborate arrangements. Altogether there were 6000 police on duty at the park, over which a police autogyro hovered giving information by wireless to police cars throughout the park. Lord Trenchard, Commissioner of Police, directed operations by wireless from Scotland Yard. No serious disorder occurred. The police never needed to charge or use their truncheons. Only when the crowds were dispersing were there a few minor clashes resulting in 18 arrests. A few people were slightly injured in the crush.