New-York tribune., 1909-02-19
CHARGE THE POLICE
LONDON SUFFRAGETTES
USE FISTS.
Try to Enter Parliament -T5renty-
four Awesfed-Pr5Son for
Eight.

London Feb. 1S.-Twice to- day the sufragettes
representing the Womens Freedom League
failed to reach Premier AsQuith TO present TO
him the resolution adopted by that body for
continuation Of the militant propaganda for suf-
frage Sixty more volunteers for danger
Gus duty into conflict with the police this
morning in Downing Street. where squads of po-
lice mounted and on foot. had been drawn UP,
and the clash resulted in the rough handling of
many women and the arrest OF twenty-four OF
them
Again tonight, when the session of Parlia-
ment was well under way, q contingent led by
Mrs. Despard attempted to gain access to the
Premier, but the police barred the way. The
women refused to bulge, insisting upon their
right to enter the building. No serious dis
turbance occurred. Finally Mrs Despard and
several OF the others were placed under arrest.
With sixteen of those who had been remanded
at the Bow street police court late in the after
noon, Mrs. Despard and her companions at
will be arraigned tomorrow.
To-night's demonstration was OF a compare
lively orderly and quiet character Mrs. Des-
pard, with companion. both in evening attire
drove TO the House of Commons in a taMcao
Mrs. Despard asked the police inspector 10 be
allowed to carry the resolution 70 Premier AS
Quith. The inspector ad vised her to send it by
mail He offered to take 1t in himself, but Mrs.
Despard insisted q personal interview. In
the mean time number Of other suffragettes
arrived the scene. and as the chief delegate
refused to depart, she was, with several others
who were attempting in a somewhat mild way
to force their way in, arrested and charged with
obstructing the police in the execution of their
duty.
Among those arrested with Mrs. Despard was
Joseph Clayton. editor and proprietor of "The
New Age" who is a member of the Women's
Freedom League.
Eight women were fined to-day. but they
fused to pay the fines and were sent to prison
for terms ranging from two weeks to a month.
Most of the women engaged in the disturbances
from Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham
and elsewhere in the provinces. With the ex-
ception of Mrs Despard. those prominent in the
sufragist movement held aloof. but. as IT is the
expressed intention OF the women 10 continue
their campaign without internission. the lead
ers are likely to be heard from at any moment.
In the morning the suffragettes first attempted
to march in procession. but their line being
broken by the police they mingled with crowd
of the curious who had gathered to witness the
scene, moving toward Downing street There
they attempted to break through the police lines
The projected attempt to deliver the rsSo!d-
tons to Premier Asquith had been advertised
beforehand. and the police had placed Downing
street in which the official residence of the min
mounted and on foot were everywhere. but the
women charged the lines of stalwart constable5
again and again without hesitation Finally the
policemen became exasperated at their persist
ence and were none too tender in the way they
handled their assailants Hats. furs and blouses
came away in the scrimmage Several big
Scotch women were observed actively using their
fists on the police, but the unequal battle could
not last long and the women who had not fallen
into the hands of the constabes eventually re-
treated to Caxton Hall. From this rallying
point they later went to the police court to learn
the fate Of their comrades who had been ar
rested.
The suffragettes have not decided on any i'm
mediate future course. but they promise that
there shall be no cessation of activity. They ap-
reared in large numbers at the tuberculosis eX-
hibition opened by Earl Darlington this after
noon, and the earl was unable TO speak until
half a dozen of them had been elected.
They held meeting this afternoon in CaXton
Hall. Carrie Nation being among those present.
Mrs Despard said she did not know how long It
would take the government to understand that
the women meant what they said. Five hun
dred of them had been imprisoned already. she
declared and they would continue to be i'm
prisoned until they received what they wanted
Miss MurieI Matters the who on Tues
dav went UP in a balloon in effort to throw
down tracts while the King was opening Par
lament made a speech. in which she declared
that the government need not be afraid Of
honbs as some "idiotic" politicians had sug
geated we women do not intend TO make
martyrs Of the members of the Cabinet" she
said: 1--WE simply are going to make them look
like set of drivelling idiots"