The Daily Missoulian., 1913-05-05
FIGHT FOR FREE SPEECH BY La
BoR MEN is SPOILED BY
SUFFRAGETTES.
MOUNTED POLICE BUSY
Socialist Speaks at Nelson Column
and Gets Along All Right Un-
til Rowdy Woman interferes -
The Suffragist Lands in Place, but
Donates Some Clothing to Boobies.

London, May 4.-Wild scenes of dis
| order occurred 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 Nelson
column, and only the Intervention OF
James kier Hardie socialist and in
dependent labor member of the house
of commons, who was chairman of the
meeting. prevented a serious riot. As
1t was, the disorders many times cul-
minated in fisticuffs between the
crowd and the police and continued
for almost two hours
BY the time the marching socialist,
labor and other organizations, with
bands PLAYING the Marseillaise, reached
Trafalgar square. 10000 persons had
gathered there. and as many more
We're in the surrounding streets.
Suffragettes Barred.
Permission to hold a meeting was
given at the last moment on the un-
dcrstanding that no suffragettes be
allowed to speak. Unable to secure
ton. the supporters OF the Womens
Social and Political union marched
With the dockcrs their coors flying,
preceded by a huge banner inscribed.
Where there's a will, there's way"
Flags of the Women's Social and
Political association We're hoisted on
the plinth, from which they waved
continuously during the meeting
Trouble began when a socialist speak
er started to address the crowd from
the Whitehall side of the column
Promise had been given that no speak
ing should take place on this side. be-
cause 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 pinth
and endeaVored to replace the speaker
1T looked for a time as If their efforts
would prove successful, but mounted
police ruthlessly rode down the
rioters. James Kier Harde then In
tefvened and the socialist speaker was
allowed to regain his place
In a moment a suffragette attempted
to climb to the plnth. The police
below tried to pull her back but SYM
pathizers on the platform succeeded in
dragging her up after she had sacrI-
flee some clothes left in the hands OF
the police.
In retaliation a policeman snatched
Il suffragette banner from girl who
was waving 1t from the back of the
Landseer Lions. She struck the po-
liceman in the face and her friends
regained the banner minus the staff
This struggle angered the crowd
and the disorder became so general
that Commissioner Wells. command
ing the mounted police, ordered the
Whitehall side cleared.
Commissioner Showered.
The order was carried out SO rough
ly by the horsemen that Commissioner
Wells, noting the temper of the crowd.
retired in favor of another commis-
sioner. As he was leaving, Wells was
showered with eggs and oranges and
other missiles.
Fights between the police and the
people then became general. the chief
results of which We're battered faces
and minor injuries on both Sides
Many rioters We're arrested but the
crowd succeeded in rescuing most or
the prisoners.
Requested to do so by the police
James kier Hardie asked the crowd
to disperse, which they did reluctantly
Mrs Despard and other suffragettes
spoke without interference in spite of
the interdict. Any attempt to arrest
nnc