THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN LONDON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1714, 17 November 1887, Page 3

THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN LONDON.

[RSUTER'S TELEGRAMS — OOPYBICtHT.]

London, November 15

The Conservative papers accuse Mr Gladstone oi inciting the populace to resist the police. Some of the rioters arrested were unable to pay the fines imposed, and were, m default, sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from one to two months, j Mblbouknb, November 16. The following additional items of news are to hand per Carthage : — London, Ootober 14. During the past week London has been" the scene of most disgraceful rioting on the part of a number of roughs, idlers, and loafers m assisting the so-called demonstrations of the unemployed. The disturbances commenced last week, when a small knot of men started addressing the aristocrats who take refuge every night m Trafalgar square. This was followed by. a meeting m the daytime, and the delivery of many violent speeches. On Friday last the agitators marched m procession to the Mansion House, a black banner being prominently displayed with the inscription "Ws will have work or bread." The procession proceeded by the Strand, Fleet street, and St. Paul's Churchyard, greatly impeding traffic m he City. A large force of police accompanied the procession. On arrival at the Mansion House several leaders among the crowd wished to enter the building, but the Lord Mayor absolutely refused to see them. This caused much offence to the demonstrators, and several speakers roundly, abused the Mayor. Rain which had been falling heavily caused a great number of the crowd to disperse, but a large body marched back m procession through the City. On passing the " Standard " office the mob hissed and groaned on account of a leading article published m that paper, which was unfavorable to the demonstrations. Here the mob first came into actual collision with the police. Several constables were assaulted, and a number of youths arrested. On Saturday there were further demonstrations m Trafalgar Square, the mob afterwards marching through the City to Stepney, where ' they dispersed without disturbance. On Sunday the demonstrators assembled m Trafalgar Square and marched to Westminster Abbey, with the intention of attending divine service. Service had commenced and consequently there was no room, and as they were unable to enter they marched back to the Square where they dispersed quietly.

(Received November 16, 5.20 p.m.) After the comparative failure of the agitators on Saturday and Sunday, it was expected that Monday would see an end to the demonstrations. This, however, was not the case, for by 1 1 o'clock on Monday morning fully 2000 men and youths assembled m Trafalgar Square and listened to speeches denouncing the Government, Lord Mayor, clergy and monied class. It was decided by the crowd to send a deputation to the Mansion House, aod that the remainder should await their return. This was accordingly done, and upon the arrival of the deputation at the Mansion House, it was found that the Lord Mayor was away, but the sitting Magistrate, and Alderman Sir Henry Knight received three of the deputation m the justice room, when, upon being questioned, it turned out that all three men were not members of the unemployed, but were master men, one being a toymaker, another a bootmaker, and, a third a painter. Sir Henry Knight listened attentively to their grievances, and explained that he was unable to giye them any assistance, but assured them of his sympathy as long as they acted m accordance and under the authority of the law. The deputation then returned to Trafalgar Square, where a quarrel arose between them, three of their number who had not interviewed Sir Henry Knight denouncing the others as capitalists. The latter were much abused, and one had to flee from the violence of the crowd. It was then decided to march m a body to the Mansion House to express dissatisfaction at the reply to their representations. The police endeavored to : prevent the procession ' starting,' but the mob forced its way to Charing Cross, where the police headed them. A serious scrimmage then commenced, the mob being ultimately driven back to the Square, where many threatening speeches were delivered. The police were then ordered to clear the Square, but this was not effected without much trouble, many police being aeriously injured by stones, and cut by buckles taken off belts, Eleven arrests were made, several of the prisoners being seriously injured by the police, although the latter behaved with great forbearance. Next day the police allowed no one m Trafalgar Square, and the agitators'conßequently moved to Hyde Park, vvheye* about rjoo or 100a of the 'rougher class assembled. After seditious speeches had been delivered the. mob, headed by a lad 16 years old, carrying a red flag, started to march through the West End. They iritencjed \o leave by t^e gate on the JBjays'wa'ter side, but were foiled m this by the police, who blockedtbe gateway.- mob tjen arrnec^fcetf]s"elyes with branches of tree's, pieces of irgn hurdles gnd fchajrs, and vigorously' attapked the police, and a running 'fight took/ place, lh,e police ultimately pleading the park, Five w ( six oncers W^a^ Injured, and ma .r»/ of the mob were badly injured. On Wednesdays mob of 1000 strong again assembled m Hyde Park, and marched from thence to the Thames

eraban'fuicat, vvfcere they bad frequent scrimmages with the police 6n the toad, and many of the rioters weie truncheoned, but at Dover Square they successfully resisted the e^orts of tb,e police. fto^aUcu: progress*