New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
ANT|-M|L|TANTS AWAKE
Constitutional SuffraglStS OF
England Ready for Battle.
LIBERALS TO BE TARGET
National Union Will Line Up
with Labor Party to
Further Cause.

Hot on the heels OF Mrs. Pankhursts
emissary comes news from the anti-mili-
tants in England. Instead of globe trot-
ting and glory gathering. they stick at
home" with their noses to the campaign
grindstone.
The National Union OF Women's Suf-
frage Societies. of which Mrs. Henry
Fawcett is president is already prepar-
ing for a definite anti-LIberal campaign
in the next election. The constitutional
suffragists. as the anu-militants prefer 70
be called. will come out strong In support
OF the Labor party.
There is no bargain with the Labor
party. as is sometimes asserted by ire
sponsible journalists" SAYS Mrs. Fawcett.
Woman suffrage IL an integral part OF
the true democrats creed. therefore the
Labor party. 10 be true 10 It's principles,
must support the suffragists. On August
the trade unionists OF Great Britain
passed q resolution at their annual con-
gress calling on Parliament 10 enfran-
chise women and making IT plain that no
further electoral reforms would be ac-
cepted unless the women's was among
thcmJ
1T is as plain as n plkestaff that SUI
fraglsts who are non-party. II they want
to win the vote by constitutional par!ia-
mcntary action. must support tho one
party that has declared Tor woman suf-
fracc. Now. the British Labor party has
D.. a.. Hl.Fn q VA 2
and il has very little money. Consequent
ly it's organization Be- weak. The organi-
zatiOn of the National Union Is strong.
and the women who want the vote are
ready 10 give money for their campaign.
80 the suarag.sts. with their trained
organizers and their special election hght-
!ng fund. come 20 the help % the Labor
party and strengthen II precisely where
IL rs weak In September a special sum
Of 900 was asked for In order TO finance a
preliminary campaign Iu favor 'oi pro-
suffrage Labor candidates In the consilt-
uencies now represented by anu-surrage
Cabinet ministers. Almost the entire sum
was forthcoming within a week.
The Liberal government ~ perfectly
well aware that the Conservative opposl-
ton has made capital out OF the insur-
ance act and. IN certain quarters. out Of
the Marconi campaign. Then there is the
tendency OF the people 10 incline % a
change Of administration after one party
has been IN power FOR long period
Again there is the growing socialist iecI-
ing I'm the country. and the WORKING class
notion that the Conservative IS compare
lively innocuous because he Is pro-
fessed and open enemy whereas the LID
cral is progressive and yet closely con-
uected with capitalism. In the face OF al
this cumulative opposition TO Liberalism
the government knows the next general
election will prove a pitched battle the
Issue Of which no one can predict with
confidence"
The CONSTITUTIONAL union is the Oldest
and numerically the strongest suffrage
organlzation IN England. Founded In 1870
by John Stuart Mil. Charles Kingsley
Tohp Morley. Sir Charles Dixie and Henry
Fawcett. NJ. T., IL sent petition OF l4''w
names in 1873 70 Prime Minister DlsraeH
To-day the union has $1,000 annually SUD
scribing members, in addition to SO'Vo
associate members
In contrast TO these figures. Mrs. raw
cett has made public the figures concern
ing Mrs Pankhurst's union. The mem
bership. she says, is 5000. including all
who have ever made any donations VI
been connected with the society lot
short time Mrs. Pankhurst has also 40"
associate members.
There are In England also fifteen other
constitutional societies, representing uii
ferent professions, industries ana rem
gious persuasions.
1T is fairly safe" says Mrs. Fawcett,
IN conclusion. Ito estimate the ORGANIZED
constitutional suffragists at 10000 ana me
militants at 1900. and by 'milltants
mean those who sympathize with militant
methods. but do not practise thei"' VI
these latter there are only 800