The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-02
THE FRAGETTES
 BEGIN CAMPA|G
fingered by the Coal Strike
 Situation
s M A SH WIN DOW $
Cause Paralysis to Business in Lon don Shopping District-Majority of Them Make Their Escape.
 115 Are in the Tolls

London, March 1.-Because the coal miners had been able to gain government recognition of their grievances by threat enng the business of the country, the suffragettes late today also entered upon policy of menace to trade. And they carried 1t out suddenly and with ardor that resulted in heavy financial losses, brought eonsternation to merchants of the most prosperous shopping district of the city and paralyzed business. The police were taken completely unawares and be- fore they could restrain the women streets were covered with shattered plate glass.
 Thoroughly Organized
 It was a window breaking expedition solely, and a thoroughly organized one. Hundreds of windows in many of the most famous shops of the world and in several government offices and clubs were wrecked by the suffragettes. The damage will aggregate many thousands of pounds but is largely covered by insurance.
 One hundred and fifteen women were taken to police stations by police or ex- cited and indignant merchants. Many others, however, escaped. All those ar rested were released this evening on bail, coupled with promises to refrain from further window breaking.
 Some shopkeepers who saw the storm coming were able to close their shutters and barricade their doors. The trouble centered about Trafalgar Square, ranged along the Strand eastward and westward and up Regent street, Picadilly and OK ford street, where are situated the fash ionable jewelry and dry goods houses
 Mrs. PanlShurst First
 Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst, veteran of many suffragette battles, struck the first blow. Tn an automobile, accompanied by Mrs. Marshal and Mrs. Tulles. she drove up to the 'premer's residence in Downing street Three women leaped from the machine and drew out stones concealed in their muffs. Four windows crashed in before the police who are constantly on guard could reach the women. The trio was arrested, but while being led to the station managed to heave missiles through the windows of the colonial office.
 Pandemonium broke out in the business district at the same time. TaXicabs Were the favorite vehicles of approach used by the suffragettes and many innocent look
 
 porters stationed in front of stores.
 No Hesitation
 There was no hesitation on the part of the women who at once attacked the show windows with bricks and hammers. The surprise of the porters was so great that a majority of the miscreants We're able to lose themselves in the crowds be- rUrr-~r1a~~.suardians of the shops could collect then senses and restrain them The women Nyho did not use taXicabs merely walked A(ong the streets cracking or smashing windows with hammers, while crowds followed them, cheering or hoot ing.
 The police were unable to deal with such wholesale and widespread out break and at least nine-tenths of the window attacking army escaped. The air was filled with sounds of police whistles, yells, the slamming of blinds and shrieks of frightened shoppers. punctuated now and then with cries of ''votes for women." Whenever a window was shattered there the crowd surged, while the employees of the shop rushed to the street to prevent the unprotected goods from being stolen. Not even the establishments of under takers were spared.
 Quickly Done
 So systematically and quickly was the work accomplished that 1t was well oyer before police reserves could be called out. Hundreds of extra policemen were on duty tonight protecting the damaged buildings while thousands of sightsears tramped the streets to view the havoc wrought by the women.
 The suffragettes' leaders declare that it is their purpose 10 continue their cam paign of window breaking until, like the coal miners, they force the government to take up their claims for suffrage to protect business interests.