The sun., 1909-02-14
ANARCHISTS IN LONDON.
Proceeds Of Crime Furnish Them supplies
Work or European Police.
From the London Times


The anarchist body In London consists
chiefly Of foreign artisans, employed for
the most part as cabinetmakers. tailors,
electricisns, shoemakers and walters.
These men as rule are In receipt Of good
wa ges and contribute freely-to the cause.
Their clubs meet in Soho. Hammersmith,
Tottenham, in the East End Of London
and some other places.
Their numbers In London may be e. r.
timated at from 700 to 900. but it ID. Of
course, difficult to calculate the numbers
of an orga nization which is Of such nebu-
lous and shifting character Nor is II,
suggested that among this number can
be found many to undertake the active
and dangerous task Of committing outra ges
on society, Nevertheless. at appropriate
times the money and men are always forth
coming in anarchist circles. AS to thA
money. It must not be forgotten that tbs.
proceeds OF burglaries and highway rob
berries have always been welcomed as sup
plies for the anarchist war chests. This
doctrine has been frequently declared.
and a notorious disciple Of this school was
the anarchist burglar Pena. who success
fully committed long series Of burglsries
in Paris In the early 'sOs before being ar
rested and sentenced to a long term OF i'm
prsonment. .r
It was known to the whole anarchist
body in Paris that Pens committed these
burglaries. but the fact that he contributes
freely from the proceeds Of bis crimes 10
the funds Of the movement caused his
secret TO be kept. and instead Of being
looked upon as a criminal outlaw he was
regarded as hero. Furthermore. his
example was followed by others. lt VIII
also be remembered that one Of the most
oh iAAaa of ha WalQal anaTChlHfe
was the use Of choroform in the robbns
OF capita lists: indeed. a bottle Of chloroform
for this purpose was actually found IN
possession Of one OF the prisoners. Inc
proposal was that men known 70 possess
money OF valua bles should be followed inio
railway Csrria ges or when going home AZ
night, and chloroformed and robbed
This may seem strange in this county,
but the device Is much employed in robper-
les on the Continent. The Lettish revo>
lutionists in England chiefly reside in Ley
tonstone. Tottenham and the East End ,
They are well known for the method OF,
terrorism they employ. within the nst I
two years these revolutionaries have been
carrying on a campaign OF robbery IN
Issussla similar TO the recent outrage 10
Jotte nham, the proceeds being deeo'so
TO the funds of their party. =
In spite OF much discussion and mol
wthstanding the numerous ouitases
which have been committed practlcalH
nothing has been done by the police au,
thorities OF Europe in the direction %
combined action for the prevention "
anarchist crimes. The police conielep'o
In Rome contributed nttIe 90 the soi"'ion
OF the problem OF mutual assistance NhIc" ,
indeed seems little likely TO be solved O.
In this country the police keep In tou'a
with the movement by patient ana 'out
cont nued surveillance. Those known o'
suspected to be dangerous anarchists are
closely watched and their movements ~ .
carefully notified. New arrivals from az
Continent thus come early under ohse,
ton, and their haunts are discovered. ~
police In England, however, are unaeI
serious disadvantage as compared WIZ
their foreign confreres, inasm'rh asInys as ~
may not legally interToRate me lnSol,{f''Sn, IN .
and when once a foreigner has ariirNs han.
this country he is at liberty to truNel ""0''
and where he Dleases. Iisorsrf
On the Continent or course, bu0 In
system prevails, The traveller h"s IN
medlately to hll UP the hotel bulletl., l.,,ss,inr s,ir
his name. age. nationality, oCcupS' ''bis
place of birth. &c., 10 the police. ~ ijnsI
Is not considered satisfactory the nov ih rStics
may be Immediately hailed before the haSIi,
officials, by whom his etat civil Is CL.-eethin-
noted, and he Is subjected TO ees'Sn'
aud thorough Interrogation.