The Washington herald., 1914-01-18

A real hunger striker" England's $
first male militant suffragist, addressed
a large gathering of Washintonians at
National Rifles Armory yesterday after
noon and said some startling things
concerning social and economic condi-
tions, not only in his native country.
but in America
The speaker was George Lansbury, for
mer member of the British House OF
Commons, who threw up his job in
that distinguished body when his party
went back on woman suffrage. The
audience, composed largely of women,
advocates OF equal suffrage, was held
spellbound by the eloquent speaker. and
his address repeatedly was interrupted
by applause.
Incidentally. Mrs. Pankhurst also came
in for a manifestation OF regard on the
part of the assemblage. when the speak
er asserted that without her and her
militant sisters. the feminine movement
in Great Britain would be naught. Mr..
Lansbury spoke under tho auspices Of
the Congressional Union.
Takes Up Social Questions.
Mr.. Lansbury did not speak exclusive
~ on suffrage, however. Claiming equal
franchise as the fundamental basis upon
which to build a new and better brand
of men and women, the speaker delved
into many economic and social Ques-
tions, such as the social evil" the
double standard of morality. the prob
lens of politics and statesmanship. in
dustry. and commerce
Though in its general outline, mill
tant," there was nothing in Mr.. Lans-
bury's speech that agitated revolution or
the use of force. He merely defended
the British suffragettes, on the ground
that the government Of his country had
practically forced the action Of these
women. He did not intimate that SINH
lar methods ever would become necessary
In this country.
Yet, the speaker took occasion severh
times during the course OF his curtain
lesson to society to make ironic allu-
slons to an Imaginary freedom and lib
erty'' in America. He conceded. however.
that even the darkest and dirtiest parts
OF the slums in American cities are moth
ing compared TO those Of London. Out
of each sentence. there seemed to sound
the sigh Of the poverty-stricken and sup
pressed, the cry of the sick and suffering;
in short. Mr.. Lansbury's speech was a
powerful. pathetic appeal to those that
have and q heart-rending plea for
those who have not.
Lincoln Stehens Speaks.
Lincoln Steffens, nationally known as a
writer and lecturer on labor questions.
preceded Mr.. Lansbury. He said he could
not distinguish the suffrage cause from
the general cause of democracy. He ap-
pealed to the suffragists not to try to
show themselves better than man, not to
improve the government or anything
else. but to improve themselves While
we have self-controL" An intelligent
study of the labor question. with the
view of giving labor a voice in industry.
asserting that he himself was an anti
militant he emphasized that in his
opinion force will rule the world until
was urged strongly b. Mr.. Steuer.
Mrs. Glendower Evans presided at the
meeting. An eloquent speech in behalf
of equal franchise was made by Miss
Lucie Burns, who emphasized that the
women of the country are eagerly watch
ing the attitude of the present administra-
ton toward the seekers for suffrage. She
scored the Democratic Rules Committee
for 'burying'' the resolution to create in
the House a committee to consider the
justice and eXpedience OF extending SELF
governing institutions to women.
As a result OF Miss Burns speech. the
meeting unanimously adopted resolu-
ton putting the Congressional Union on
record as regarding with indignation"
the burial OF the plan.
In opening his speech. Mr.. Lansbury
pointed to what he termed man IN
humanity" in England, where, he said,
there was infinitely less opportunity for
the poor and '.jobless' than The United
States. Here you are all great Demo-
crafts" he said, and then added. IRON
ically, "in theory at least"
Not Really Free Here.
'I don't think you are even free In
this country" he went on. You may
have the forms OF freedom, but you're
not really free. The freedom Of the
world rests upon the freedom Of the
mothers. Millions Of girls are taken from
their homes at an early stage of physi-
cal and mental development and pitched
into the machine shop and factory.
"It is only natural that these girls,
when they become mothers. have not
the notions about raising children that