The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1909-07-28 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE CZAR'S VISIT.  STRONG LANGUAGE ON THE HAYMARKET.  Strong language was employed at a meeting on Die Haymarket,• held under the combined auspices of the local Socialist societies, to protest against the Czar's visit to this country. Mr. John Docherty, who presided, said the question he would like to ask was this, Was it right that we as a comparatively free people when compared with Russia, should welcome to our shores that incarnation of nimuirchism, the C.7.ar ? '(a Voioe " 7410.1) Would, any of ,them, as individuals, engage in con'versation. with .the Czar? Would they have a cup of tea or drink a glass of beer with him? Would they welcome him to their family circle? Yet representatives who had been returned to tie. House. of Commons did not demur to such a monstrosity coming to our shores Voice: "Shame"). Mr. Wilfred E. Billingham proposed the following resolution: That this mass meeting of the citizens of Birkenhead solemnly and emphatically protests against this country being compelled to receive the Czar of Russia, and deeply regrets the action of the Government in bringing this disgrace upon us." He appealed to all who loved their liberty, to all who loved their wives and children, to all who had self-respect: were they going to allow the Case to be welcomed to the shores of this country? He did not believe there was a . man or Wonnin amongst his, hearers who had any feeling of synipathy or respect for the Czaz. .The Czar oame from a land where wives were, torn from their -husbands, and were the victims of horrible treatment; where husbands were torn from their homes and cast into horrible cells, and were tortured in all the ways that it was. possible for fiendish minds to invent. In February of this year, although the prisoners in Russia only had room for 107,000 persons, there were 181,137 persons in prison in Russia. During the three months, January to March, there were 235 executions, and i during the last three years, from 1906 to 1908 inclusive, there were no fewer than 160 suicides committed in the Russian prisons. It was said that it was not our duty to interfere with the internal affairs of another country, but we knew the facts, and things of that kind could not go on without Russia tainting and corrupting every civilised Power with which she came into contact.  - Mr. W. H. Carpenter said he was there ,to dissociate himself as a citizen from having either part or lot in the invitation that had been extended to the Czar, 'through, the instrumentality of this Government, to visit these shores. The Czar, who was the head of the Russian Government, and who claimed to wield absolute ;power, perpetrated the most horrible r cruelties upon people who were endeavouring secure e measure of Political and social liberty. It had been asked, Was the Czar responsible? It was not open for him to enjoy the sweets and privileges of office without bearing the responsibilities. He wanted to point out that this invitation to the Czar had come from a Liberal 'Government. How long ago was it since we heard from Liberal platforms denunciations of the Sultan of Turkey? Row long ago was it since we heard from Liberal platforms professions of interest in our common humanity? The resolution was supported and carried with one or two dissentients.