The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-02
Suffragettes Start City
Wide Ca align of
Misunderstanding.
STONES THROWN
FROM TAXICABS
Women Well Organized, and Po-
lice Are Powerless Before At
tack-Seek to Force Govern
ment to Recognize Demand
for Ballot--Point to Vic
tory of Strikers.

London, March because the coal
| miners had been able to gain govern
inent recognition of their grievances
by threatening the business of tho
country, the suffragettes late to-day
also entered upon policy of menace
to trade. And they carried 1t out sud-
denly and with an ardor that resulted
; i'll heavy financial losses, brought con-
sternation TO merchants OF the most
prosperous shopping district OF the
city and paralyzed business. The po-
lice were taken completely unawares.
and before they were able to muster
! their forces and restrain the women
| streets were covered with shattered
platcGlass from the stow windows of
| stores.
| 1t was q window breaking expedi-
! ton solely, and thoroughly organized
, one. Hundreds of windows In many
Of the most famous shops of the world
and in several government offices and
clubs We're wrecked by the suffragettes.
| The damage will aggregate many
| thousands of pounds, hut is largely
covered by insurance against break
. age.
| One hundred and fifteen women were
! dragged to the police stations by po-
| lice or excited and indignant mer-
| chants. Many others. however, es-
caped. All those arrested were re-
| leased this afternoon on bail. coupled
, with promise to refrain from further
| window breaking.
| The trouble centred about Trafalgar
| Square. ranged along the Strand. east
ward and westward, and UP Regent
| Street. Piccadilly and Oxford Street,
where are situated the fashionable
| Jewelry and dry goods houses
! Mrs. Emmelinc Pankhurst. the VET
Gran of many a suffrasette battle.
struck the first blow. In an auto
mobile accompanied by Mrs. Mar
shall and Mrs. Tukes. she drove
up to the Premier's residence In Down
| ing Street at o'clock. The three
| women lcapcd from. the machine and
| drew out stones concealed In their
NUTS. Four windows crashed in be-
fore the police, who are constantly
on guard. could reach the women. The
women were arrested. but while being
! led TO the station, managed to heavc
missiles through the windows OF the
! Colonial Office.
/ Pandemonium broke out in the shop.
/ ping district at the same time The
taNicabs We're the fovorite vehicles ri
| approach used by the suffragettes and
large numbers OF innocent looking wo.
| porters. Without hesitation the women
lat once attacked the show windows
/ with bricks or hammers. The sur
| prise OF the porters was so great tina,
/ 10 lose themselves in the crowds before
/ the guardians or the shops could col
| lcct their senses and restrain them
| The women who did not use taXicabs
merely walked along the streets
cracking or smashing windows with
| hammers. while crowds followed
| cheering or hooting.
| The police were wholly unable to
/ deal with such a wholesale and wide
! spread outbreak. and ut least nine
tcnths of the window attacking army
escaped. The air was filled with sounds
! OF blinds and shrieks OF frightened
| shoppers punctuated now and then
with cries of. votes for women
| Whenever n window was shattered the
! crowd there surged while the employees
! OF tho shop rushed to the street To
| prevent the unprotected goods from Do
| ing stolen. Not even the establish
| ments OF undertakers were spared.
| So Systematically and quickly was
| the work accomplished that it was
we'll over before police reserves could
| be called out. Hundreds OF extra po-
! liccmcn were on duty tonight p-o-
| tccting the damaged buildings, while
| thousa nds OF sightseers tramped the
| streets to view the havoc wrought
| by the women.
The suffragettc leaders declare tina,
! IL is their purpose To continue their
! campaign OF window breaking until
| like the coal miners. they force the
| government to take up their claims
! for suffrage In order to protect busl-
| ness interests.