The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-22
MILlTANTS IN FIERCE
BATTLE WITH POLICE
SufYrasettes Fail In Attempt to Pre-
sent Petition to King Mt Buck
tnSham Palace.
CROWD OF oNLooKERs SUFFERS
Casualties Not Numerous, but Much
Harm to Uniforms OF Officers md
Dresscs of Women.

London, May 21.-An attempt BY
militant suffragottes to present a petit
tion to King George at Buckingham
Palace to-day failed. but not until Il
battle had been fought SURPRISING in
fierccness any previous demonstration.
The crowd OF onlookcrs suffered almost
as much as the lighters, as the people
waited In the hot sun for two hours for
an attack which eventually came from
an unexpected quarter.
Police precautions had been directed
toward rcpelling an assault from the
direction OF Westminster. whcro the
suffragettcs had advertised they would
form parade. Instead u small body,
known because of their militant record
as gun women" of the Women's Social
and Political Union. burst from a pri-
vate residence on Hyde Park corner
and forced their way through the arch
way to the top Of Constitution Hill be-
fore the squad of police on duty there
could resist them.
Headed by Mrs. Pankhurst and Miss
Sylvia Pankhurst, the flying squad of
women swept down tho hill toward the
Buckingham Palace. but when halfway
they met the most hated enemy OF the
miiitantS in the person of Inspector
Riley. who has charge of the suffra-
gette detail at the Scotland Yard po-
lice headquarters.
MORE THAN Thirty WOMEN
ARRESTED BY POLICE
The shock of combat was short but
sharp, and resulted in the arrest of
more than thirty women, who used
clubs freely. Mrs. Pankhurst was one
of those arrested.
One group. headed by Miss Sylvia
Pankhurst. reached point almost
across the drive from the palace.
Mounted police surrounded them and
placed Miss Sylvia and several COM
rades in custody.
The crowd ut this point was so dense
trat attempts Of the police to clear the
drive wero unsuccessful. until re-
course was had to water-sprinklinE
carts, which ruined many fine gowns
of fashionable women spectators.
Several members OF the House OF
Commons. among the spectators, de
nounced the police for not adllering to
their promise to treat the women with
gentleness The police retorted that
the terrific onslaught of the militants
had left them no other alternative.
For two hours after the conclusion
OF the main battle the police were en-
of women who had spread over the
surrounding district. Casualties were
not numerous. consisting of few
broken heads, but much harm was done
to the uniforms of the police and to
the dresses Of the women. at no time
were more than a couple of hundred
OF women engaged In the battle, while
close to them was q force OF 1,500 po-
lice.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE LIKE
MOBILIZATION CENTRE
buckingham Palace resembled more
n mobilization centre than the
peaceful homo OF royalty. Two am
bulance corps were on the scene, and
both male and female nurses found
plenty to do when women began to
faint.
With the exception Of few minutes
when King George stood at n window
watching preparations to defend him
from the attentions OF the women, the
palace presented deserted appear-
ance.
police inspector said that whom
Mrs. Panhhurst was arrested nc ca
Continued on Ninth Pagc.)