Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-19
M|L|TANTS WIN VICTORY
over PREMIER ASQy|TH
Demonstration by Sylvia Pankhurst
Obtains Hearing for Deputa-
ton of Women.

LONDON. June 19-Premier Asquith
has capitulated to the suffragettes. He
has consented to receive deputation of
East End working women in Downing
street tomorrow morning.
Miss Sylvia Pankhurst's attempt to
carry out her threat of a hunger strike
at the entrance to the house Of commons
until the premier yielded to the demand
that he listen TO a delegation Of women
was largely responsible for the prime
ministers decision. The efforts of James
Kier Hardie. the socialist Independent
member Of parliament. and George Lans-
bury, an ex-member, helped the mill
tant sunragette leader to bring the
premier to his knees.
The victory is distinct one. because
Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested about a
week ago for attempting to lead a pro-
cession of East End women to west
minister to demand the audience which
Mr. Asquith now has promised.
Miss Pankhurst Released From Jail.
Holloway Jail opened its doors last
night to release Miss Pankhurst who
was weak and pale after her eighth sue
cessive hunger strike. but still deter
mined. She drove to Westminster imme-
diately in a motor car with woman
chauffeur and rebuffed Kier Hardie's eff
forts to persuade her to go home. She
was sitting on the steps OF the central
entrance to parliament house, proppeo
up with cushions and supported IN the
arms Of friends, when Mr.. Lansoury
came out with the news that Premier
Asquith had surrendered.
The militants' plans were effectively ar.
ranged When their leader emerged
from Holloway Jail on the arms OF Two
ua
nurses took charge Of her and proppeo
her up. A group Of militants had gath
cred outside Westminster. and When the
car drove up swiftly they cried: Here
Sylvia
large force of police was on duty. but,
apparently under instructions. they made
no objection when the automobile entered
the palace yard under Big Ben This is
the members private entrance ana Al
ways has been forbidden ground to the
mifftants Crowds began to assemble
and the police were reinforced, but they
maintained an attitude of watchful
waiting.
Hardie Acts as Go-Between.
Kter Hardie emerged from the house
bareheaded and talked with Miss Pank-
hurst for three minutes Then, with the
chief Of police. Mr.. Hardie made three
Journeys between the house and the car.
obviously acting as go-between in the
negotiations Sylvia talked with him in
a weak whisper.
Seemingly the independent labor MEM
ber's efforts were failure, for after
the third conference Miss Nora Smyth,
who was Miss Pankhurst's lieutenant, an
nounced to the bystanders:
We are going to the house OF COM
mons to sit on the steps.
Mr. Hardie explained to the crowd that
the militant leader had requested admis-
sion to the house, which was refused.
The engine of the car again started and
the machine drew up at the public en-
trance to 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 ten
minutes Then Mr. Lansbury appeared
with the news Of Premier Asquith's