Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-20
Commissioner Re-
fuses Suffragette
Release Under Bond.

Washington, Oct B-lmmigratlon
Commissioner Caminett today, declined
to release Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst,
British Militant Suffragst. on bond from
the Ellis Island immigration station,
New York. pending final adjudication of
her appeal from the order of deporta-
ton issued. yesterday. by special board
of inquiry. Her case will be taken up
formally. tomorrow morning, at .
o'clock, by Commissioner Caminetti and
it is expected that definite decision on
her release or deportation may be reach
ed. during the day
Commissioner Caminetti said, today,
that his desire was Not to be rushed
into decision of a case nationally and
internationally important but that he
had done and would continue to do all
in his power to facilitate its determine
ton.
Counsel for Mrs. pankhurst were ac-
corded a formal hearing of several hours,
today, by Commissioner Caminetti and
DR. A. W. Parker, chief of the law di-
vision of the bureau of immigration.
The commissioner, I'm accounting for a
hearing held, on Sunday. said that his
possible this proceeding and that he
would not violate the spirit of the day.
The question of whether Mrs. Pank-
hurst should be admitted or deported
was a subject of absorbing interest to
many In government circles. 1t became
known, tonight. that a great many high
officials favored admitting her. not be-
cause of any sympathy for the Individual
or her cause, but on the ground that
the principle of free speech should be
maintained.
The attorneys for Mrs. Pankhurst di-
rected their efforts, today, chiefly to-
ward obtaining her temporary release
from custody at Ellis Island. pending
consideration of the case in order that
she might fulfll lecture contracts They
contended that not only Mrs. Pank-
bursts personal rights We're being in
vaded by her detention longer than was
absolutely necessary. but that important
and substantial property rights of the
alien and citizen of this country was In
jeopardy.
Attorney Reeves for Mrs Pankhurst
opened the informal hearing before
mediate action for the release of Mrs.
Pankhurst.
Assuming that the decision of the
department should be unfavorable to
Mrs. Pankhurst.' he said, we will ask
that she be admitted To the country
under bond for a specified period of
time in order that she may fill her
lecture engagements. This case sub
stantially as to principle is on all
tours with tina. of Marie Lloyd. the
London music hall performer. who was
ordered by a special board of inquiry
TO be deported but subsequently was
admitted under bond in order that she
might fill theatrical engagements for
which she had entered into contract
IF the department should decide
against Mrs. Pankhhrst in her appli-
cation for admission under bond. our
next step would be to apply to Judge
Holt of the United States district court
for the southern district of New York
for writ of habeas corpus"
MIR. O'Neil urged that as Mrs. Pank
hurst was in custody and deprived OF
her liberty" the case ought, in it's very
nature, to be expedited as much as
possible.
Mrs. Pankhnrst." he said. visited
the United States prior TO this time
She came, too, after she had been ar
rested in her own country, but never
theless she was permitted TO land. Sht
has not come here 10 preach the doc,
trine of anarchy or TO informe th'
populace Of our country She has
message and a mission. II she be Civ.
en- the freedom of our shores, she vii
respect our hospitality
Mr. Omen suggested that repor
had been circulated to the effect tina
the government of Great Britain hat
protested 10 the United States agains
the landing of Mrs. Pankhurst.
'.The British government" inter
rnpted Commissioner capinetti. -
far as this bureau lis concerned. ha
taken no part in the matter. / Ger
tainly would have known about It i