The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-11-26
ASQU|TH NOBBED.
British Premier Attacked
by SuffrdgetteS.
PROMISED ACTION
Struck by One of Angry Women Who
Denounced His Promise OF Fran
chlse Bill at Next Session
OF Parliament.

London. Nov. 23.-Premier Asquith
while on his way from his Official resi-
dence in Downing street to parliament
was attacked by a crowd OF su1ra
Rettes.
The premier received blow from
enc OF them and escaped roughel
treatment only through the interyen
ton OF the police.
Mr. Asquith had, earlier In the day
yielded to the opportunities OF the
suifragettes and In the house OF com
mons announced that II he were still
In power at the next session Of parlia
ment the government would give ia
cilities for the consideration Of wo-
mans franchise bill so framed as TO
admit Of free amendment
II seems that the premier's promise,
instead Of placating. only inhamed the
women. who decided that Mr. Asquith
was playing with them.
"lnsuIt TO Cause"
At a meeting at Caxton hall Miss
Christabel Pankhurst characterized
the minister's statement as wholly un
satisfactory and nothing more nor
less than an Insult to the cause. The
women, she shouted considered the
premler's attitude declaration Of war
and they would answer the challenge
Immediately.
No sooner said than done With a
rush the women emptied the hall and
several hundred strong started for
Downing street with unexpected good
fortune they encountered Mr. AsQulth
on route, and before the premier real.
lied the situation. he was surrounded
by irate sufiragettes. II WAS not long
before he recognized that he was in a
hostile camp. and without any prelim-
inaries Miss Henrietta Williams struck
the government leader, at the same
time calculating:
"You tax women as heavily as men,
yet women are not represented In par
Lament"
Shrill police whistles brought officers
from all nearby quarters, and as the
women struggled among themselves
for the privilege Of getting at him. the
premier was hustled into a taxicab.
As the car started of. with bound
Miss Williams made another attempt
to reach its occupant. and in doing so
put her fst through the glass Of the
car window. She was pulled away, still
crying Traitor" and Coward"
About 100 women were arrested.
Broke Through Police Barrier.
The trouble did not end with the es-
cape OF Mr.. Asquith. Robbed OF their
special prey, a big body OF women
broke through the police barrier and
reached Downing street. For con-
siderable time pandemonium reigned
in the vicinity OF the ministerial resi-
dences and government Offices.
Shrieking women. many OF them
armed with bamboo poles that had
been used to support banners, but now
serves az lances, fought like Amazons,
desperately attacking the police and
clawng and kicking to such good pur'
pose that the police line was broken
and the officers forced temporarily to
retire.
Police reinforcements were hurried
to the scene and. throwing themselves
against the rioters. checked the ad
vance.
Women and their male sympathizers
we're hurled to the ground. In many
instances the officers literally dragged
the women out Of the fighting zone
and thus saved them from being tram.
pied TO death by the mob behind. II
was some time before the police sue
cseded in clearing Downing street.
A litter Of millinery. bits OF cos
tunes, handbags and torn banners
gave evidence Of the ferceness with
which the field had been contested.