Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-05-05
Wild Disorder Marks Gather
ing in London Held Under
Auspices of Free Speech
Defense Committee,
POLICE BATTLE WITH
MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE
Of James Kief
Hardie, Socialist Member Of
House Of Commons, Pre-
vents Possible Fatalities,
cBy Morning IournaI special Leased wIrel

nBy Morning Journal Special Leased wIre1
London, May A-Wild disorder oc-
Cured today at the demonstration In
Trafalgar square under the auspices
Of the free speech defense committee.
The police tried to prevent speeches
from the Whitehall side OF the Nel-
son column and only the Intervention
OF James klcr lIardie, socialist and
independent member of the house
Of commons who was chairman of
the meeting. prevented a serious riot
As It was. the disorders. many times
eliminating in fisticuffs between the
crowd and the police, continued for
almost two hours.
Bv the time the marching socialists.
labor and other organizations with
bands playing the Marseillaise reach
ed Trafalgar square 10000 persons
had gathered there, and as many more
IN the surrounding streets.
Permission 10 hold a meeting was
given at the last moment on the un-
derstanding that no suffragettes be
allowed To speak. Unable TO secure
permission to march as an organiza-
ton. the supporters of the Woman s
Social and Political union marched
with the dockers. their colors flying
preceded by huge banner inscribed.
nWhore there's win there's way
Flags of the Women's Social and Po-
litical union were hoisted ON the
piinth where they waived continuous
~ during the meeting
Trouble began when socialist
speaker started to address the crowd
from the whitehall side Of the col
umn. The promise had been given
that no speaking should take place on
this side because Of interference with
traffic. A husky police sergeant
standing on the plinth hurled the
speaker down on the heads of the
crowd below
The crowd then rushed the plinth
and endeaNored to replace the speak
er. 1t looked for time as II their
efforts would prove successful. but
mounted police ruthlessly rode down
the rioters. James Kier llardie then
intervened and the socialist speaker
was allowed to regain his place.
In moment a suffragette attempt
ed TO climb to the plinth- The police
below tried to pun her back, but SYM
pathizers on the platform succeeded
in dragging her up after she had sac
riflced some clothes, which she ieit
in the hands Of the police.
In retaliation policeman snatch
ed a suffragette banner from girl
who was waving it from the back OF
ono Of the Landseer lions. She struck
the policeman. in the face and her
friends regained the banner minus
the staff
This struggle angered the crowd.
and the disorder became 50 general
that Commissioner Wells, command
ing the mounted police, ordered the
Whitehall side cleared.
The order was carried out so
roughly by the horsemen that com
missioner Wells noting the tenperN
of the crowd. retired in favor Of an
other commissioner. NJ ne WeN 49,
ing, Wells was showered with eggs
ana oranges and other missiles.
Fights between the police and the
people then became general the chiel
results Of which were battered races
and minor injuries on both SIDES
Many rioters were arrested but the
crowd succeeded in rescuing most OF
The prisoners.
Requested to do 50 hy the police,
James Kier Hardie asked the crowo
to disperse. which they did reluctant
ly Mrs Despard and other suflra-
gettes spoke without interference ~
spite Of the interdict Any attemPl
to arrest the women, probably wouiu
have resulted in a dangerous situation
Addresses denouncng the govern
ment's alleged interference with tho
right Of free speech were made py
several members Of parliament.
letter from George L.andsherry. FOR
mer socialist member Of parliament
and now a militant leader in the sur
frage cause. who was bound over yes
terdav in the sum Of $4,000 to keep
the peace. was read demanding the
right Of free speech at all times.