The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-13

Reir Hardie knew better. He protested
against II as futile and a waste Of time.
II was amusing to see the readiness Of
the lords TO agree with the House on a
proposition in which only the rights and
freedom Of women were involved. They
| were anxious to grant the government
all the powers that might be necessary
to deal with the women offenders, and
put the bill through second reading. COM
mittee. and third reading in exactly one
minute.
FIRht for Free speech.
At II O'Clock at night. on April q that
grand old woman. Mrs. Despard. as brave
and valiant a soldier as her brother, Gen.
Sir John French. now in command Of the
British forces, rallied around her the
members of the Women's Freedom
Z League to make a protest on behalf Of
the right Of free speech, and against the
J governments attempt at coercion in pro-
| hibiting women holding their meetings in
Hyde Park.
Trafalgar Square has been. the rallying
place in London whenever there has been
! right 20 demand or a wrong to protest
against Standing between the lions, Mrs.
| DespaTd caught the crowds returning
I from the theater and was soon surround
ed by thousands OF people. Mrs. Despard
told them she had been already impris-
Oncd three times for her part in the suf-
frage agitation. She had never conscious
/ ly hurt anybody OF anything. but she
would continue 10 protest on behalf OF the
freedom Of women, and neither fne nor
: Imprisonment could stop her.
II took some time for the police 10 rally
in sufficient numbers before they dared
venture into that sympathetic crowd and
carry OF Mrs. Despard and her aids. At
the Police Court they were bailed out for
the night, and the next morning were
charged with 'obstructing the police"
The w. s. P L. were not 10 be Outdone.
They held a big meeting in Albert Hall,
at which they added to their war chest"
$50. on. three Americans being among the
contributors.
Death or victory were the magic
words that appeared on the top OF the
monument in great fiaring letters of white
on a black ground. The monument is 200
feet high and stands on the top OF Fish
Street Hill. where il was placed 10 com
memorate the great fire Of 1865. 1t is
place to see the city like our Washing
ton Monument
Two young women executed one Of the
finest coup d'etats in capturing the pillar.
The two conspira tors carried bars of iron
suspended round their waists and covered
with their ClOaks. They made extra
drapery with their flags and the banner
and improved their figures with suffrage
literature. Arrived AT the 'Op when II
was time for people to depart they fingered
behind the others. An acCompliCe lured
the guardian two or three steps from the
top when the door was Immediately shut
and the bars placed. In less time than It
takes to tell it, the flags and banner were
displayed and the women proceeded TO |
shower their literature down on the heads |
below.
The keeper begged. the police Parleyed. !
the crowd gathered and finally tna
fortress was taken and the women were |
carried OF TO prison. All London laughed |
and enjoyed the situation and the best Of |
1t was that the police said what damage
had been done had been done by them, |
and II the keeper wanted to charge any
body with costs he must charge the 20
lice