The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20
WOMEN ASK TO Be
ALLOWED TO VOTE
Present Petition to Premier
Campbell Bannerman
FOUR HUNDRED STRONG
With Great Diplomacy the Premier
Encourages the Movement, But
Holds Out No Immediate
to Deputation.
FOUR HUNDRED STRONG

London, May 19.-Escorted by forty
members of parliament nearly 400 women
suffra gists, representing organizations
from all parts of the country. interviewed
Premier Campbell zimmerman at the for
eign office today. and presented their
claims that women be allowed to vote.
Only eight members of the numerous
deputation were allowed to speak, and in
accordance with a previous arrangement,
each speaker was limited to five minutes.
But in the aggregate for forty minutes
the premier heard about all there was to
hear in favor of female suffrage.
The immediate grant of womens rights
was the unanimous demand of the speak
ers. some of whom presented to the pre-
mier their minimum demands claiming
that. immediate legislation DESTROYING
on women the right to vote. was neces-
sary, and declaring that a promise to
take the matter up at the next session
of parliament would not satisfy them
One speaker menaclngly declared that
the women were prepared to sacrifice
their lives In behalf of their demands.
The premier smiled upon this strangely
dSSOTleu OF women, lHcluulHBt
as it did ladies' of titles side by side
with factory employees, and said he SYM
pathized with the object of the deputa
ton, but asked his visitors to be patient
until the government became more united
in favor Of the extension of the franchise
to women. The cause, he added. had
made enormous strides of late years. Per-
sonally, he believed that women were as
well qualified as men, and, perhaps, bet
ter, to exercise the right to vote, and,
in his opinion, the deputation had made
out conclusive and irrefutable case
Virtue of Patience.
Speaking for others, however, as well
as himself, the premier pointed out that
1t was necessary to preach the virtue of
patience. Only harm would result if. be-
cause of his own sympathies and con-
victions, he gave a pledge regarding the
time and methods of achieving the OBJ
ject they had In view. No party or gov
eminent was entirely united on this sub
ject. He warned the women against in
discreet action, which. he said probably
would check the flowing tide and advised
them to leave the matter confidently to
the growing strength of their case
The premier wound up his remarks with
saying that he believed it would be many
years before the desired change was
was met with Kisses by members of The
deputation who left the foreign office evil
IDENTIFY greatly dissatisfied
The arrival of the deputaton at the for
eign office was preceded by a street DEM
onstration, contingents of women from
various localities marching with banners
flying and bands playing to the Victoria
embankment whence. accompanied by ar
interested crowd of onlookers, the women
m RI ha of
Report Results.
Members of the deputation subsequently
reported the result of their interview with
the premier to a great gathering of their
fellow suffra gists on the Thames en-
bankment who loudly groaned their dis
satisfaction. Later the women filled TO
Exeter hall and James Kerr Hardie, the
labor leader and member of parliament,
made speech during which he advised
the women, who. he said. had brought
the liberal party to power only to be
turned away empty handed when they
begged for consideration of their claims
to actively oppose all liberal candidates
until the government conceded their de-
mands.
Lady Francis Balfour, another speaker,
was cheered by her colleagues when she
remarked that prime Ministers and Pie
crusts are strongly allied"
resolution ultimately was carried
thanking Premier Campbell Bannerman
for his personal sympathy. regretting his
failure to pledge the government to deal
with the question and urging him to grant
day during the present session to de-
bate the subject of women suffrage A
monster meeting on Trafalgar square
closed the days proceedings The suf-
fragists made fiery speeches threatening
to secure their rights by fighting and go
to prison If necessary" shouted a woman
from the base of Nelson's column
The demonstration concluded with the
adoption of resolution expressing pro
Leg. A..