The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-23
FOR THE SPANISH PRISONERS.
a London Meeting In Their Behalf Results IN
Much Oratory and oBS Relief
Special Gable Despatch to TT

Special Gable Despatch to TIE SUN.
LONDON Aug. PA mass meeting WAS held
in Trafalgar square this afternoon to protest
against the cruel treatment Of prisoners in the
Spanish jalls. 1t was thought that the meeting
might be provocative of an Anarchist demon-
s%tration, but this did not provo to BIO the case,
although there was some trouble growing out OF
an improvised pro-Span meeting that was
held close to where the anti.Spain speakers were
holding forth.
There were perhaps 5000 persons assembled
at the time set for the meeting, a majority Of
whom had been drawn to the scene by curiosity.
and who were completely indifferent to the OBJ
ject of the promoters of the gathering. A large
number Of detectives and policemen were scat
tered through tho crowd. but they had little to
do beyond listening to the speakers. The con-
ductors Of tho meeting were chiefly London
Socialists who are not known TO fame. and who
seemed to be consumed with q desire to disavow
any connection with the Anarchists.
One speaker who had the temerity to declare
that he was an Anarchist found himself inter
rupted by one of his companions on the plat
form, who vigorously pulled his coat tails and
apparently warned him not to further commit
himself in that direction.
Only two or three of tho Spaniards who were
recently deported from their country on tho
NaeAe . taA' hhNJ u
in the meeting. 1t is said that tho remainder Of
them have already left England. Letters of
sympathy were read from Henri Rochefort, edi-
tor of the Paris IntrdnsiOednt, James Keir
Hardie, an ex-member of Parliament, and
others.
The best speakers earnestly and effectively
denounced the c~ruelties perpetrated by the
Spaniards, while tho others INDUCED In rodo-
montades. declaring their intention to make
England ring and to set Europe alame. This
tickled the crowd. with the exception Of some Of
the less enthusiastic.
A single yelled reference by ono of the speak.
ers to Golli. the Anarchist who killed Prime
Minister Canovus. was loudly cheered by the
enthusiasts. while the onlookers who did not
understand what the speaker was referring to
wondered what the cheering was for.
DR.. Aveling. who also addressed the crowd.
made a violent attack upon the late Senior
Canovas. who, he declared, had been executed,
while COLL was murdered.
Toward the close of the meeting an opposi-
ton gathering was started near by. Those TAX
ing part in this latter meeting became bolster
Gus and finally mobbed and hooted the anti
Spain speakers. One of the latter being struck.
felled his assailant to the ground.
The police were quickly in evidence and pro-
tected those whom the Spanish sympathizers
would have mobbed had it not been for them.
For a time 1t looked as though there was going
to DO a riot, but order was soon restored.
While the trouble was going on at tho meet
ing. one of the refugees named Cana and some
OF his comrades were mObbed in another direc-
ton. The police rescued them and sent them to
their lodging in n cab.
After the adoption of a resolution denouncing
the Spanish cruelties, the Chairman appealed to
the crowd to subscribe the sum Of $500 for the
relief OF the Spanish refugees. The appeal ex-
cited laughter In the crowd, which almost i'm
mediately, scattered. Eventually. about $S5
was collected.