Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-21
HAIL MRS. PANKHURST
Suffragettes Welcome British
Leader to America.
"VOTES FOR WOMEN SOON"
Confidently Prophesies That Parlia'
ment Must Yield.
CONTEMPT FOR INDIFFERENCE
Rebu[kes One Of Her Sex Who Would
Not Starve for
Cause.
FOR INDIFFERENCE

NEW YORK. October 2l-A small
woman whose admirers hailed her as the
first political leader of her sex in the
world, stepped from the deck of the
Oceanic last night to the shore of the
new world she has come to conquer.
Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst the English
suffragette. who, though she attributes
the initiative of the move to her daugh-
ter, Cristabel, is the original militant, the
organizer of that remarkab BILE force which
even its most bitter opponents admit falls
short in no sacrifice. however great. is
the most interesting personality signifi-
cant of woman's demand for votes that
has been presented to the American pub
lie.
Looks Every Inch Leader.
When she came down the gangway her
eyes lighted with pleasure as they fell
upon the broad banner of her own col
ors-the purple, white and green OF the
Women's Social and Political League-up-
held by Miss Inez MilholIand She looked
every inch the commander.
In London her followers are an army,
subservient to her slightest wish. Here,
stranger. she was consciously visiting
general with victories to her credit SYM
DO lied by the little silver medal bearing
neT prison winch she wore
upon her breast.
Only the women who have been Jail
birds can wear that decoration which is
suspended from a purple, white and green
ribbon like an order.
/ There were rousins cheers as she APP
preached the yellow banner Of the
League for Self-supporting Women. with
Mrs. Harriet Stanton Batch just benea h
it. and futtering array Of yellow butter
fly bows mounted on slender canes at
tested the New York delegation waiting.
AT the foot of the stairs Miss Mary kee-
gan. who was Mrs. Pankhurst's fellow
prisoner in the first arrest, rushed to en-
brace her.
Then. with the banners in front, the
English woman was marched through
lines Of police and customs inspectors
down the pier to a waiting carriage. and
pausing only long enough to let the pho
tographers get a snap shot, was wnirled
away to the Women's University League.
where she remained as Mrs. Batch s
guest over night. and received those I'M
able to meet her at the pier.
No Demonstration at Clubhouse.
The conservative tendencies of the uni
-versity women were amusingly evidenced
when the delegation with the visitor
reached the house No. II Madison square
north. Every flag was furled, every badge
removed. and they walked In guiltless of
any distinguishing marks of their political
leanings.
Mrs. Pankhurst, under the stronger light
and robbed Of the first excitement. showed
cling cloak over a dark tight-fitting gown,
the fur toQue on her head betraying the
brown curls on either side, which lend her
girlish appearance.
There are some strands Of white in the
hair, but the complexion is fresh and
ruddy. 1t is only the hazel eyes, deep
set and penetrating, which suggest years
Mrs. Pankhurst Is of somewhat less
than middle height, rather slender in
figure, but, despite this fact, in physique
as in face she gives the impression Of
strength. Her features are pleasing, II
irregular, the mouth large, the chin set
and square. Her voice Is more Irish than
English. due to the strain in her blood.
and she is fluent speaker.
AS a tactician Mrs. Pankhurst is rem
iniscent Of Christian Science leader,
since she refuses to take the lead in an
interview, answering with legal Precision
only the questions asked and deity beg
ging any query that she chooses to leave
| in doubt.
Thinks They're Near End.
When asked if tine English cause would
require many more women to go to prison
| she replied, calmly:
mo matter how many they will be
| ready
But when pressed to gauge the endur-
ance of British cabinet ministers and to
make some prophecy she bent forward
and said, slowly:
Il think We are very near the end
While Mrs. Pankhurst was discussing
| the artificial feeding of the woman pris-
oners q listener broke in:
| Il believe in suffrage, but would not
| go on a hunger strike for the cause.
| Mrs. Pankhurst flashed back:
| Then your belief in suffrage cannot be
very Deep"
| 1t Is said of Mrs. Pankhurst that the
one thing she cannot brook Is 1ndiffer-
| ence.
While she did not admit that Gen. Booth
| Of the Salvation Army had drawn up
| the plans of her. military organization,
Mrs. Pankhurst said he was very old
friend, with whom she had talked a great