Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-15

While many American suffragists. in
Guiding Mrs. Robert M. La Toilette, de-
plore the acts of violence committed by
the suffragettes in England, there are few
suffragist leaders who really understand
all of the conditions in England who are
disposed to criticise the Englishwomen
harshly. Mrs La Toilette said recently:
1.-THE Englishwomen are following meth
DDS which custom and tradition warrant
and make effective as a campaign pro-
gram When Englishwomen defy the
police and break windows and poster the
prime minister they are pursuing the pol
icy which men have pursued before them
to demonstrate that they are in earnest
in demanding constitutional rights. Imag-
CINE the consequences If American men
were to indulge in such belligerent meth
DDS in protest Of their grievances! Ag-
gressive campaigning for suffrage is as
legitimate as for other good purposes.
street parades and open-air meetings,
where effective in awakeing interest,
arousing enthusiasm and educating the
public, should have our approval. but in
America there seems no need for resort to
militant methods
The militant movement in England be-
gan in 1905, when the conservative gov
eminent, which had been in Office for
some time, was obviously about to lose
control Of parliament. The liberal party,
which then came into power, had always
professed a belief in democracy and self
government. Judged by it's principles and
traditions the women had reason to hope
that this party would include woman suf-
frage in Its program on which the cleo
ton Of 1906 would be fought. They were
speedily undeceived. October ID. 1903,
Sir Edward Grey made speech at Man
chester, and after the meeting Miss Chris
label Pankhurst and Miss Annie Kenney
ventured to follow the time-honored Eng
nsh custom of addressing question to
the speaker. The question was: W1ll
the liberal government give votes to
working women?" The liberal leader re-
fused to answer the question and scene
of wild confusion ensued, In which the
women were first rudely turned out OF
the meeting and, when outside. were ar
rested for causing an obstruction In the
to seven days in prison and Miss kenney
to three days. This was the beginning OF
the suffragette movement.
Since the Imprisonment of those two
English girls nearly seven years ago
hundreds Of Englishwomen have cheer
fully gone to prison, worn the prison
garb and even submitted to the 'forci-
BILE feeding ordered by the prison author
the prison fare, refused to eat. The
action Of the militant suffragists. or sui
fragettes,' as they are popularity called,
transferred their question from the par
lor and club to the street and from a
theoretical proposition to living issue.
The prison garb became costume OF
honor and upon their release from Inn
prisonment the women were received with
great oyations. Mrs. Pankhurst became
the leader Of a popular crusade with
Votes for women" as its war cry.
~
According to American suffragists, the
recent visit Of Mrs. Pankhurst to the
United
Mrs. Pankhurst's Visit states
Help to the Movement. much to
bring about better understanding of the
conditions against which the English
women are struggling, as well as to
create added enthusiasm in the suffrage
movement as 1t Is being forwarded in this
country. Instead Of the loud-voiced. ag-
gressive woman, represented as the typi-
cal window smasher, her audience saw
gentle-voiced, cultured woman, who spoke
eloQuently in the support Of her cause
but yet was In herself the best refutal of
the many charges made against the SUI
fragette.
For q number Of years 1t was claimed
that there was a majority in the house of
commons of the English parliament in
favor Of woman suffrage This majority
included men of all parties, conservative,
liberal. labor men and Irish. They be-
lieve that woman householders should
have a vote. In England a householder
is any one renting house or a part of
house, even one room. Woman house
holders have had municipal suffrage in
England for forty-two years. and for over
thirty wears a majority Of the house of
commons was supposed to be willing to
give them parliamentary suffrage, and a
bill last year passed by q vote of 255 to
SO. But the militant tactics were carried
too far, and last month the Cancellation
bill, as the householder vote measure was
called, was defeated by 222 to 20S votes.
1t is interesting to note that Sir Edward
Grey whose refusal to answer a ques-
ton started the militant movement, was
a hearty advocate Of this bill, while
Premier Asquith opposed 1t. Although
it's defeat was surprise and q shock
to the suffragettes, they point out that
the unfavorable majority was only four
teen votes and that universal suffrage is
sure to come.
The following summary of the situation
in England Is quoted from an American
s,lffragist and sympathfZer:
THE injustice and severity with which
these women have been treated while in
prison will go down as blot upon the
English history Of the twentieth century
In England, as In all European countries
respect is shown to political prisoners
They are granted special privileges and