The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-06-24
SYLVIA WINS HER
HUNGER" STRIKE
Asquith Agrees TO Receive
Delegation.
MILITANT LEAlER VERY WEAK
From Starving-Sat At En-.
trance to the House Of
Commons.
TRIUMPH FOR SUFFRAGETTES

London, June 19.-Premier AS
quith has capitulated to the suffra-
gettes. He has consented to receive
a depu.ation of East End working
women in Downing street.
Miss Sylvia Pankhurst's attempt
to carry out her threat of huR-
ger strike at the entrance to the
House of Commons until the Pre-
mier yielded to the demand that he
listen to delegation of women. was
largely responsible for the Prime
Minister'S decision. The efforts of
James Kier Hardie. the Socialist H.
dependent member of Parliament
and George Lansbury, an ex-member.
helped the militant suffragette lead
er to bring the Premier to his knees.
The victory is a distinct one be-
cause Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested
about a week ago for attempting to
lead a procession of East End wom-
ell to Westminster to demand the
audience which Mr.. Asquith now has
promised.
Holloway Jail opened its doors to-
night to release Miss Pankhurst,
who was weak and pale after her
eighth successive hunger strike, but
still determined. She drove to West
minister Immediately in a motorcar
with a woman chauffeur and rebuff
ed Mr.. Kier Hardie's efforts to per-
suade her to go home She was sit
ting on the steps of the central en-
trance to Parliament House, prop
ped up with cushions and supported
in the arms of friends when Mr..
Lansbury came out with the news
that Premier Asquith had surren-
dered.
The militants' plans We're effec-
lively arranged as usual. When
their leader emerged from Holloway
Jail on the arms of two attendants a
motorcar was waiting filed with
cushions. Two nurses took charge of
her and propped her up. A group of
militants had gathered outside West
minister. and when the car drove up
swiftly they cried: Here's Syl-
vial"
A large force of police was on
duty, but, apparently under instruc-
tiOns, they made no objection when
the automobile entered the palace
yard under Big Ben. This is the
members private entrance and al
ways has been forbidden ground to
the militants. Crowds began to as
semble and the police We're re-en-
forced. but they maintained an atti-
tude of watchful waiting.
MIR. Kier Hardie emerged from the
House bareheaded and talked with
Miss Pankhurst for three minutes.
Then. with the chief of police, Mr.
Hardie made three journeys between
the House and the car, obviously
acting as a go-between in the nego-
tiations. Sylvia talked with him in
a weak whisper.
Seemingly the Independent Labor
efforts were a failure. for
after the third conference Miss Nora
who was Miss Pankhurst's
lieutenant. announced To the by
ISLANDERS:
We are going to the House of
Commons to sit on the steps"
Mr.. Hardie explained to the crowd
that the militant leader had re-
quested admission to the House,
which was refused. The engine of
the car again started and the ma
chine drew up at the public entrance
to the House of Commons. Women
arranged the cushions on
the steps and lifted Sylvia out, while
the police showed back the specta-
tors. Miss Pankhurst remained UNI
molested for ten minutes. Then
Mr.. Lansbury appeared with the
news of Premier Asquith's decision.
The position on the steps was
then abandoned by Miss Pankhurst,
who was carried to her car and driv-
en- away. Several members Witness
ed her departure and the people gave
a cheer. The chief Liberal whip af-
forwards took pains To say to the
newspapers that Mr.. Asquith gave
his consent to an audience several
hours before Miss Pankhurst paid