The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-20
THREATENS TO GO
ON HUNGER STRIKE
Mrs. Pankhurst Reserves De-
cision Until She Hears Off
cially From Washington.
ORDEAL WOULD MEAN DEATH
Asks if This Land OF Liberty
Would Send Woman
to Her Grave.
ORDEAL WOULD MEAN DEATH
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

New York. October 1e.-"Should your
government decide that may not enter
the United States. I shall launch upon
hunger strike" said Mrs. Emmeline
| Pankhurst, on Ellis Island to-day.
Mrs. Pankhurst a bit wan, but still
flashing determination from her gray
eyes, thus declared herself to a eroup
of early visitors to her suite in the
administration building. To reporters
she declared that she reserved de-
cision until che heard from Wash
ington officials, but to Mrs Harriet
stanton Blatch. Mrs. John Rogers, Jr..
and Miss Alice Perkins, who greeted
her effusivcly as she sat proppod IN
In bed ordering breakfast, she de-
clared that she saw no reason why she
should submit meekly to "unlawful do
tehtion. here anymore than in Eng
land.
Immigration Commissioner Caminett,
after hearing the protests of Herbert
Reeves, Mrs. Pankhursts lawyer in
Washington yesterday, declined to re-
lease the little militant. Ho declared
that he would take up tho case formal
~ tomorrow and added that 1t was
likely that Mrs. Pankhursts case
would be disposed OF one way or the
other before night
This news did not perturb the storm.
| tossed suffragette to any extent. Sho
smiled bit systematically and declared
that she would walt until tho powers
had decided definitely. Meanwhile she
ate heartily. Three meals OF the sort
that appeal TO perfectly healthy human
beings were served her and consumed
She was cheerful, gracious and radiated
her wonderful enthusiasm upon all who
saw her.
| II shall enter upon a hunger strike
! right hcre on the shores of the land
OF liberty she declared to her visitors.
IL the steamer La Provence carries
me from New York on Thursday IT
Will carry mo to my death ] feel that
cannot last long after five hunger
! strikes-not more than twenty-four
hours. lf i enter upon my sixth I
shall enter upon my death ordeal Until
| am back In my own country l am
under the care of the United States.
VIII 1t be this land OF freedom, this
country that holds open Its arms to
the oppressed, that will send woman
to her grave because she is fighting
| for freedom"
Eats Hearty breakfast.
Mrs. Panhhurst arrayed herself in
gray silk kimono and with Miss Rheta
| Dorr, who is her companion on tho
island she ordered breakfast Of grapes,
apples and pears, toast and coffee
~ view OF the harbor from the roof
| OF the administration building follow
ed. She had slipped her senlskin coat
over the fimsy kimono, but the keen
morning air chilled her and she re-
turned to her room where Mrs. Batch
, Mrs. Rogers and Miss Perkins were
waiting to see her. She commented
upon their treatment of her and l,ur-
rledly kissed all three OF her visitors.
Have YOU heard from Washington?
What news of Christobel and Sylvia
of New York;" "' - '"e women
She fired these questions gatling
news from Washington, and little of
reliable source of Mrs. Pankhurst' S
daughters But she was assured that
the women of New York. with few ex-
from its moorings In their anxiety to
liberatc the determined mentor OF the
Jones's. pilgrims: Miss Emma Elliott
and Miss Amy Wellington joined the
group Of callers and battalion OF
ncwspa per women with thick pads OF
paper c!utchcd in their hands demanded
| admittance.
since the first of the year" said Mrs
hankhurst, and my stomach is in none
the best condition. If there must be a
sixth, so be It, but shall not survive
had rough passage over. Generally
! am good sailor. but ] have lost
much OF my endurance The Ships
| doctor transferred me from my cabin
| where the vibrations were tremendous
70 the cabin OF one OF the ships officers
spent most OF the time on deck, SC
that l might benefit by tho suniigh,
and fresh air"
one OF the officials or the steamship
company owning the La Provence. IN
which Mrs: Pankhurst must return un.
less Washington interfered. was asked
whether he would take II dying woman
aboard 1t was explained to him tina
Mrs. Pankhurst declared that she would
die at sea and starving.
Are, We. then. to blame?" demanded
The 9ilicini with shrug. There will
he p'enty for her to eat: If she will
officials Perpiexed.
| me Ellis Island officials are in n
! threat
What shall we do If she enters upon
a hunger striker" asked n commissary
Official we shall send walter with
a menu card to her three times a day
If she refuses to order we shall-wc
snail. What shall we do? We have
never fed any one but an insane person
forcibly. She is too nice woman &c
make such n mess as that. though"
Under the escort of Assistant Super.
intendcnt steward one of the men WHO
sat on the board of special inquiry thu
detained her on Saturday, Mrs. pank.