The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-05-21
"A Woman Suffrage Demon
StratiOn In London
SYMPATHY, NO PROMISES
Mt. Campbell Bannerman Advises His
Callers to Be Acknowledging
at Exeter Hall and Trafalgar
Square.

London, May 21.-Ncarly 400 women
suffragists, escorted by 40 members of
Parliament, and representative organi-
cations from all parts Of the country,
interviewed Premier Campbell Banner.
man at the foreign Office in London Sat.
urday and presented their claims that
women be allowed to vote. Only eight
members of the numerous deputations
were allowed to speak and in accord
ance with a previous arrangement, each
speaker was limited to five minutes
The immediate grant OF womap's rights
was the unanimous demand of the
speakers, some of whom presented 70
the premier the "minimum demands
claiming that immediate legislation be-
slowing on women the right to vote was
necessary, and declaring that a promise
TO take the matter up at the next ses-
sion of Parliament would not satisfy
them. One speaker menacingly declared
that the women were prepared To sacri-
fee their lives in behalf Of their de-
mands.
The premier said he sympathized with
The object Oh the deputation, but asked
bis visitors to be patient until the gov
eminent became more united in favor Of
the extension Of the franchise to women.
Tie cause, he added had made enor-
nous strides OF late years. Personally
/ lie believed that women were as Nell
QUALIFIED as men, and perhaps better, 10
exercise the right TO vote. and in his
opinion the dcputation had made out a
conclusive and irrefntable case. Speak
ing for others. however, as well as him
self, the premier said that it was ncces-
sary 10 preach the virtue of patience.
Only harm would result if, because OF
his own sympathies and convictions. he
gave = pledge regarding the time, and
method OF achieving the object they had
i'll view. No party or government WAS
entirely united on this subject. He aa.
vised the women TO leave the matter
confidently to the growing strength OF
their case The premier concluded with
saying that lie believed it would not be
many years. before the desired change
was brought about. This reference 70
years was met with kissing from the
members OF the deputation, who left the
foreign Office evidently greatly dissatis-
Eel.
Later the women filed Exeter hall,
and james keir Hardie, the labor lead
~ and member of Parliament, made a
speech advising the women who. he sail.
had 10 be turned away empty handed
when they begged for consideration Of
4 their claims. actiyely to oppose all lib
eral candidates until the government
conceded their demands Lady Francis
Balfonr another speaker, remarked
4 that prime MINISTER'S and piratists' are
strongly allied. A resolution ultimate.
( ly was carried thanking Premier Camp
bell Zimmerman for his personal SYM
pathy. regretting his failure TO pledge
/ the government to deal with the ques-
ton, and urging him 70 grant a day dur
1 ing the present session to debate the
subject OF woman suffrage.
The arrival OF the deputation at the
foreign Office was preceded by a street
demonstration, contingents of women
I from various localities marching with
banners flying and bands playing TO The
I Victoria embankment, whence, accom-
panied by an interested crowd OF on
/ lockers, the women marched 10 the for
eign office 4 monster meeting on Ira
! falgar square closed the days proceed,
ings. The demonstration concluded
with the adoption Of resolution ex.
pressing profound dissatisfaction with
the premier's reply and singing the
"Marseiliaise.'