New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-20
RIFT IN SUFFRAGE CAMP
Lawrences' Withdrawal from
Women's Union Marks Epoch.
PANKHURSTS TOO RADICAL
Rumor That Latter Plan to In
validate London Mu-
nicipal Election.
[By Cable to The Trlbune.I

[By Cable to The Tribune
London, Oct. 19.-The extreme and
moderate factions Of the militant SUI"
frage movement In Great Britain have
now reached the parting of the ways.
The announcement that Mr.. and Mrs.
! Pethick Lawrence had severed all con.
nection with the Women's Social and
Political Union marks a new epoch In
the suffrage campaign here, while the
| enthusiasm Of the rival camps in their
devotion to the common cause has in
no means affected their unalterable
differences Of opinion. The methods to
be employed TO achieve their object
have been the cause Of the separation
OF the Lawrences from the extremist
party, led by Mrs. Pankhurst and
Christabel Pankhurst. In many state
ments which they have made this week
the Lawrences have been extremely
guarded. Evidently they are DESTROYS
not to inJure the cause by creating an
irreparable cleavage in the ranks Of
the militants. but all indications point
TO the fact that the Lawrences def
nitely refuse to go to the revolutionary
limits advocated by the Pankhursts.
Until the split occurred it was not
known that there was a disagreement
in the suffrage party, but now 1t is
clear. The climax came at the time Of
the Dublin outrage. when attempts
were made to set fire to the theatre
there during the visit Of Premier AS
quith. The Pankhursts Haunted the
milder counsels Of the Lawrences, and
In an interview Mr.. Lawrence admits
he retired from the Women's Union at
the suggestion Of Mrs. Pankhurst. Up
TO March last the leaders of the move
ment were in complete harmony, but
since the release OF the Pethick Law
irences from Jail consultations between
the rival factions have precipitated the
present open rupture. The Lawrences
refuse TO say what was the definite
cause of the breach, beyond the state
ment that they could not agree with
the militant plan OF campaign mapped
out by the Pankhursts for the union
this winter. The whole country ana
the larger body of militant suffragists
are on the side OF the Lawrences, and
II is believed that the cleavage will do
much to remove the uneasy feeling
created by the wild revolutionary
methods employed by the suffragists
in the last few years.
Cabinet Ministers Guarded.
While the Pankhurst party is openly
advocating outrages of almost every
conceivable character the Cabinet min
listers move about the country with
retinue Of detectives. and the invasion
Of the Kings golf course at Balmoral.
the attempted arson at Dublin and the
burning outrages at the postoffices
have done much 10 widen the breach
which now has taken definite shape.
The Pankhursts' rejection of the milder
programme of the Lawrences has UNI
doubtedly alienated much sympathy
from their party, particularly as the
Lawrences have made enormous none
tary and other personal sacrifices In
the attempt 10 secure woman suffrage.
The Lawrences have remained obdu-
rate 10 all appeals TO explain the real
cause OF the split, but Mrs. Pankhurst
reflected the real situation in a fren-
zied speech at IA meeting of ten thou
sand women at Albert Hall on Thurs
day night. With intense emotion she
delivered the following preroration:
Put aside all craven fear, grid on your
armor BE militant each In your own
way. Those of you who can express your
militancy by going TO the House OF Com
mons and refusing 10 leave without sat
lsfaCtion as we did In the early days do
30. Those OF you who can express your
mllitancy by facing party mobs at meet
ings where Cabinet Ministers are TO speak
and can remind them OF their unfaithful-
ness 10 principle. do so. Those Of YOU who
can express your militancy by Joining the
anti-government by-election policy. do so.
Those Of you who can break windows
break them. Those OF you who can still
further attack the sacred idol OF property
so aS 10 make the government realize that
property Is greatly endangered by the
sufrragists as 1t was by the Chartlsts OF
old do so.
saw here that from henceforth women
who agree with me will say 10 the govern
rent. 1--WE disregard your laws: we set
the liberty, dignity and welfare Of women
above all such considerations. We shall
continue the war and what sacrifice ot
pronerty and injury Of property accrues
10 not our fault. hrt the fault 81 the gov
eminent. which admits the Justice OF our
demands hut refuses 70 concede then,
without the evidence afforded the govern
nents In the past that those who asked
for liberty were In earnest In their de-
mands.
Drastic Campaign Planned.
Every effort has been made to draw
from the Pankhursts their outline for
the plan Of campaign, but without sue
cess; but II must be drastic in the ex-
IRENE when you see zealots like the
Lawrences unable to come into line.
particularly as they have shown their
devotion to the cause to the extent OF
giving $4,000 to the fund Of the
Woman's Social Political Union, and
also sold their Surrey residence to pay
the $4,000 costs Of the recent criminal
proceedings against them and tho
Pankhursts.
1t Is freely stated that the irrecon-
cilables' policy comprises an attempt to
tamper with and destroy the ballot
papers throughout London during the
municipal elections next month, there