THE ATHLETIC SUFFRAGETTE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12585, 16 August 1910, Page 3

THE ATHLETIC SUFFRAGETTE.

LITTLE WOMAN AND A BIG POLICEMAN.

A WONDERFUL JIU-JITSU EX-

HIBITION

_ A practical test of Suffragette jiujitsu took place the other evening (says tho London "Daily Mail") between Mrs. Garmd, an expert in the Japanese art, and policemen. Mrs. Garrud is one of tlio organisers of tho women athletes' branch of the Women's Freedom League, and^ her object is to make jiu-jitsu an additional weapon of woman's tight for the vote. The first policeman opponent -was not an interrupter at a meeting, nor had he offered a Suffragette any insult, other than a doubt that Mrs. Garrud could toss him over her head. In. explaining how it would be. possible for the Suffragettes in future to police their own meetings and forcibly eject any of their ono-time lords, Mrs. Gamicl had casually remarked that for her part the overthrow of an average policeman would bo a. simple matter. In no way did the constable resent her expression of opinion, but his doubts wore evident. A smile crept over his face as he stood regarding her. ■"Why," he said, "you're only a little dot of a woman." "Well. I'm not exactly a giant," admitted the Suffragette. "If you're sure you aren't frightened of getting hurt, I think I'll throw you." Again the big policeman smiled. It ! war, all so very, very foolish. His great rod hands played idly about his 42in. chest, and then in a moment of vanity lio clenched his right fist, so that the muscles of his forearm stood cut in heavy lumps. Mrs. Garrud is 4ft. Win. in height, and she, too. smiled. "I'm glad you're not more than thirteen stone," she murmured. STRUGGLE BEGINS. Then the struggle commenced. As a lingo mastiff would bond down upon an insolent kitten the man swooped on the woman. First he tried for a cateh-as-catch-can body-hold, but the Suffragette eluded his grasp. Their hands met, and the giant tried to pull her to him, but that was the very last thing she intended to allow. Pulling away from him, she- ran lightly backwards,, with the polisermaii pressing heavily after her. Desperately he exerted all his strength striving to push the woman off her balance and on to the mat. Then, suddenly, the thing happened. In ' a, flash the woman fell flat on her back, with the massive policeman towering abovo her. Up shot one of her feet to meet his diaphragm. Her little arms strained, and as he pulled against himself tho man lost his balance, swirled over her head, turned a somersault in ■ mid-air, and fell heavily on the back of his head. In less than ten seconds the Suffragette had thrown the policeman. Five minutes later, when he once mo.ro condescended to stand upright, the puzzled policeman again carefully regarded Mrs. Garrud. Contemplatively h»9 scratched his head. "If that had happened on the pavement instead of these mats the police force would beono man short at this moment," he said. "That fall would have cracked my skull." Another policeman awaited his turn. Lighter in build than the other, but more alert and more athletic in every way, the second man had" the further advantage of a sound knowledge of the secrets of jiu-jitsu. "Now, I shall have to do-something really decent," said the Suffragette. " That first bout was just child's pl.iy. I'll enjoy this much better." For a full minute they played for an. opening. At first the man tried for a catch-as-catch-can hold, but the woman was too wary. Just as the policeman's arms seemed to have locked about her she would slip away, and, clutching his wrists, attempt to pull him after her as she ran backwards to gain the impetus for the stomach fall which had proved tho first man's downfall. At last the man's superior strength and great advantage in weight commenced to tell. Desperately she tried for a side-hold, and then the end came. Just failing to effect the grip the woman was at the man's mercy. High in the air ho swung her and then down upon the mat she went. But even as she fell she made for a wrist-hold, missing it by an inch. Two taps on the floor as a signal that she was defeated and the woman rose smilingly for another bout. ' MAN THROWN SIX TIMES. The first position taught by Mrs. Gar, rud to her Suffragette pupils is tho "trip." After the theory had been carefully explained the two women gripped each other firmly by the upper arms. They swayed a little, and then Mrs. Garrud pressed her opponent back-. j wards a few steps, but out went tho pupil's foot against her shin, and down went the teacher. Lying as she fell, Mrs. Garrud explained the next positions —how to safeguard the face from being struck when bending over a fallen 'Combatant to pin her to the ground, then how to pin both hands to the ground. This was repeated several times-and another new "lock" added, which effectually quieted the instructress. "I do not often teach more than twe new features each day," said Mrs. Garind. "They are so apt to contuse th-eni unless they practise very diligently. To master tho art thoroughly reqnir?,'' about thirty-six lessons, but, of course, people can become efficient in les* than j a do7xm." . . - As these combatants retired a girl came forward —it would be neither fair nor sportsmanlike to divulge her identity—who is nearing the completion ot | her course. Judging from the lightI hearted and easy way' in which she i threw a man over her head half a dozen times tho London police force may well shake in their shoes at the ' prospect of what the future may hold.