New-York tribune., 1913-04-04
CASE Of MISS EMERSON
PUT UP TO Mr.. M'KENNA
American Women Get Letter
Into Home SeCretary'S Hands
to Expedite Matters.
Mr.. LAUGHLIN BLAMED
Friends of Imprisoned Suffra-
gette Allege Embassy Has
Been Unduly Inactive
in Her Behalf.

q
Been Unduly Inactive
in Her Behalf.
London. April 3.-American suhra-
Sists who are fighting for the release
from Jail Of Miss Zelie Emerson, OF
Jackson. IJich., scored their first OFF,
cial success to-day, when Irwin B.
Laughlin. charge d'affaires of the
American Embassy, asked the British
Foreign Office 10 expedite the request
made by Mrs. Emerson TO Reginald Nc
Kenna. Home Sec etary, for permission
10 have H., daughter examined by her
own ply ician.
On Mr.. Laughlins assurance that the
American Embassy could ta..e no steps
i'm the matter until Mrs. Emerson re-
quest was in the hands of Mr.. Nc
Kenna. a delegation, composed of Miss
Scott-Troy and Baron Won Horst OF
San Francisco. and Mrs. Mary Ford. OF
New York. invaded the inner lobby OF
the House of Commons, where they
persuaded Josiah Wedgwood. Liberal
member. personally To place the mis-
sive in the hands Of the Home Secre-
tary. They then Informed Mr.. Laugh
lin OF their successful onslaught on the
House Of Commons. and the latter i'm
mediately visited the Foreign Office.
Irwin 3. laughlin Busy.
Mr.. Laughlin asked the Foreign Office
to support the request made by Mrs
Emerson. OF Jackson, Mich, To the
Home Secretary for permission To allow
her own doctor 20 examine her daugh-
ter in prison.
\ member Of the House OF Commons
who is a close friend Of Mr. Mckenna
says the latter = quite willing to grant
Mrs Emerson's request. but probably
would object 10 the selection Of DR.
N~nsell Moulin. whom Mrs. Emerson
desires 10 bc chosen. Or. Moulin IL a
bitter opponent OF forcible feeding. and
the Home OC;ce hitherto has refused
him admission 10 the jaiis.
The letter addressed 10y Mrs Emer-
son 10 the HON Secretary was as fol-
lows:
am the mother Of Miss Zelie Ener
sou NlO ~ now confined IN Holloway
JAN II was evident To me on my Nlsi
that her health had become seriously I'm
paired by her confinement IN prison ant
by your system OF forciblc feeding. Sh'
was also excessively nervous and broker
down. ! ans extremely anxious about hci
and desire To have her examined by
phygician of my own choosing. 40 that
NAV know exactly now much more sh'
will be able 70 stand before being reduced
TO the dying condition that seems neces
sary for her release. ] 30 not ASK yo'
To- grant my demand as a favor, but sim
ply as the act Of a man who is presuina
bly, a civilized being.
1signcD ZELIE = EMERSON.
Jackson. Mich. L. ;. \.
\ letter from another suGragett'
prisoner confined in the next cell t'
that OF Zolic Emerson states that th'
release of the American woman wi'nii
few days - necessary Ia order L
save her reason and perhaps her life.
Prisoner Eats Food for Two.
] ms lfllON ll sEOlifA tlsb dNF'4 ~ t.ssA
Miss Emerson. by giving her neighbol
portion Of her food started her hun
ger strike" fourteen days before th'
prison doctors discovered the rusc. In
writer OF the letter who had not &c
clared hunger strike" was able t'
dispose Of the food.
Mrs. Emerson has sent letter 4
Mr.. Laughlin. charge d'anaires of th'
American Embassy. stating that Sh'
has received no reply TO her letter {,
the Home Secretary, and urging Mr.
Laughlin 10 take immediate steps il
her daughters behalf. She says tha
| on a recent visit to Holloway jail sh'
found her daughter utterly exhausted
on the verge OF a nervous collapse am
much emaciated by three weeks forcl
bic feeding.
The tube used by the doctors ha
torn the lining of the nasal passage L
such an extent, she asserts, that tn
process had to be discontinued. but tn
|
result in permanent disability unles
! careful local treatment was given. Ii
other respects, the symptoms displayet
by her daughter indicated the immedi
ate need Of special medical treatment
Want Mr.. Laughins Scalp.
\ certain section Of Americans il
! England, indignant at the alleged inac
ton OF the American Embassy. hav'
| Instituted a movement for the rcmova
from the embassy of Irwin B. Laughlin
! Mrs. j. ]. White. of New York. ha
| written to President Wilson and Il
many prominent Americans, demanding
the scalp of the charge daffaires. Civ
ing as a reason his failure to protcc
American citizens.
During an interview concerning Mrs
Emerson's letter 10 Secretary McKenna
Miss Scott-Troy stated:
| Mr. LauGhlin said: I am afraid tn
British government may refuse to rec
| ognize the American Embassy n tn
matter should be taken up before nj
i legal methods are exhausted. Tho Law
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