New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-19
ASQUITH ACCEPTS
MILITANTS' TERMS
Sylvia Pankhurst, on Hun
ger Strike, Goes to
Commons.

London, June 1S-Premicr Asquith
has capitulated to the suffragettes. He
has consented to receive a deputation
Of East End working women at 10
Downing street on Saturday morning.
Miss Sylvia Pankhurst's attempt to
carry out her threat of hunger strike
at the entrance TO the House OF Com
mons until the Premier yielded to the
demand that he listen to a delegation
Of women was largely responsible for
tho Primo Minister'S decision. The et-
forts of James Keir HardIe, the Social
ist independent Member Of Parliament
and George Lansbury, an eX-memoer,
were successful in inducing the Pre-
mier 10 reverse his original decision.
The victory is a distinct one, because
Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested about a
week ago for attempting to lead pro-
cession of East End women to West
minister 20 demand the audience which
Mr.. Asquith has now promised,
weak, ale dHO NihS'
Holloway Jail opened its doors to-
night to release Miss Papkhurst, who
was weak and pale after her eighth
successive hunger strike, but still de-
termined. She drove to Westminster
Immediately in an automobile with a
woman chauffeur and rebuffed Mr.
Keir Hardies efforts TO persuade her 10
go home. She was sitting on the steps
Of the central entrance to the Parlia-
ment House, propped up with cushions
and supported in the arms of friends,
when Mr. Lansbury came out with the
news that Premier Asqutth had sur
rendered.
The militant suffragette plans were
effectively arranged as usual. When
their leader emerged from Holloway
tail on the arms Of two attendants an
automobile was waiting, filled with
cushions. Two nurses took charge of
her and proppe1 her up. A group OF
militants had gathered outside West
minister. and when the car drove up
swiftly they cried: Here is Sylvia
A large force of police were on duty,
but, apparently under instructions,
they made M objection when the auto
mobile entered the palace yard under
big Ben" This Is the members pri-
vate entran and has always been
forbidden ground to the militants.
Crowds began to assemble and the po-
lice were re- forced, but they only
maintained an attitude of watchfal
waiting.
Keir Hardie as Co. Between.
Mr. Kcr ITardic emerged from the
House barehcaded and talked with Miss
Pankhurst for about three minutes Then,
with the chief Of police, Mr.. Hardie made
three journeys between the House and tho
car, obviously acting as a go-between IN
the negotiations. Sylvia talked with him
in a weak whisper. Seemingly the inde-
pendent Labor members enorts were
failure, for after the third conference
Miss Nora smythe, who was Miss Pank-
hurst's Lieutenant announced to the by
standers:
I'VE are going to the House of Conn
mons TO sit on the steps"
Mr. Hardie explained TO the crowd that
the militant leader had requested admls-
sion To the House which was refused. The
motor Of the car again started and the
machine drew up at the public entrance 10
the House of Commons.
Women carefully arranged the cushions
on the steps and lifted Sylvia out while
the police showed back the spectators.
Miss Pankhurst remained unmolested for
ter minutes; then Mr. Lansbury ap-
peared with the news OF Premier AS
quiths decision.
To Save Her from Death.
The position on the steps was then
abandoned by Miss Pankhurst, who was
carried 10 her car and driven away. Sew
eral members Witnessed her departure
and the people gave a cheer The chief
Liberal whip afterward took pains to is
sue to the newspapers statement that
Mr.. .Asquith gave his consent to an audi
ence several hours before Sylvia Pank-
hurst paid her visit 10 the palace yard.
The statement added that she had not
been forcibly fed during her last incar-
ceration because she was too weak. The
Continued on page 3, column J