The Washington herald., 1907-09-29
SUFFRAGETTES SPLIT
Prominent Members Leave
WOmen's Union.
WILL FORM ANOTHER PARTY
Object TO Opposing All Candidates
Until Their Sex Il Granted Right TO
dates in Future-SpOkesman for Tn
ion Declares Trouble UnimportHnt

London. Sept S-There has been a
split in the suffragette ranks Three of
the active members of the national COM
mittee have seeded, and are going to
form union Of their own. which viii
probably be called the Women's Suffrage
party
The three are; Mrs. Despard sister OF
Gen. French: Mrs How Martyr, B. Sc,
and Miss Hodgson. NJ. A, and the ground
of their disagreement is a pledge which
the Womens Social and Political Union
has called upon each member 10 slga.
When first the suffragettes started their
campaign there were no rules, and only
one object-the securing Of the vote for
women. Battles with the police have
been fought, and many members have
spent periods in Holloway Jail
Then followed other militant tactics in
by-eleetions, and & set Of methods" was
drawn up,
How the Trouble Occurred.
No Of the methods" just issued
says that the objects Of the union shall
be promoted by participating in parlia-
mentary elections in opposition 10 the
government candidate, and Independently
of all other candidates"
Mrs. Despard would not agree 10 this;
she has publicly stated that she will sup
port the labor members in their candi-
datures, and, being a strong member Of
the Independent Labor party. thought it
best to work on other lines rather than
be fettered by pledge of that sort
When questioned. Miss Christabel Pank,
hurst. the organizing secretary OF the
union, said it was perfectly true that the
three members had seeded. and that yes
terday fresh elections TO Ill the vacant
places on the committee had already
been made. Il was not a serious matter.
We do not want any controversy on
the question: she said. Mrs. Despard
and Mrs How Martyr have not seen
their way clear to subscribe 10 our pledge.
and the committee has been reconstructed.
encouragement TO New Party.
Things came 10 a head during the
past week. The pledge is partly
cause and result Of the severance.
Tie three members wanted TO feel free
10 do what they liked and we feel that
We ought 10 support no one until we
have the vote
We hope the new party will be sue
cessfuI, and that it will help US TO get
the vote. After all. our own union is
only an offshoot from another branch.
Only we must be independent. and our
first claim on members is that they
hold themselves aloof from party.
There viii be no antagonism 10 the
new society, which will only carry on
the good work IN another direction
Meanwhile the union is bracing itself
up for big things during the coming
winter. Il is going To circularize $1,000
women by post and take every means
20 gather in as many adhereRts as pos
sible before Parliament meets next year.
Then the union viii thrown its full
weight against the government and Will
take every means 10 get the vote next
session or know the reason why"
Their Places Filled.
The vacancies caused bys~the retire
neut Of the three ladies were filed at
a meeting Of the union. Mrs. Pank-
hurst, the founder Of the union, was
appointed honorary secretary in the place
OF Mrs. How Martyr. while Mrs. Mabel
Tuke replaces Mrs. Despard as joint
honorary secretary.
The new committee has been strength
ened by the election Of Miss Elizabeth
Robins, the authoress and actress, and
Miss Mary Neal one of the original COM
mittee, The sunragettes declare that they
are more fouTishing than ever, and are
now busy preparing an extremely active
campaign for the autumn and winter.
They are waiting for the house 10 sit