SUFFRAGISTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 November 1907, Page 5

SUFFRAGISTS.

UMGALLANT STUDENTS' PLANK ATTACK. .' MR, HALDANB GIVES ADVICEi BY TELEGRAPH—rKESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. London, November 21. Miss Pankhurst threatens that hundreds of suffragcttos will confront tho Right Hon. H. H. Asquith', Chancellor of the Exchequer, if ho'speaks at Birmingham. ' Two hundred students, carrying whistles, bells, and cornets, prevented Miss Pankhurst from addressing a meeting of suffragettes at .Birmingham, finally dispersing tho meeting with sulphuretted hydrogen. A deputation of .suffragettes interviewed the Hon. R. 13. Haldane, Secretary of State for War, at Sheffield. Ho explained that personally he favoured extension of tho franchise to women, but refused to promise that tho subject would bo montioncd in tho King's Speech at tho opening of Parliament. Mr. Haldano characterised. tho suffragettes' interruptions at political meetings as a deplorable piece- of folly. Many suffragettes havo been ejoctod from his meetings.

A littlo time ago a split occurred in tho ranks of the woman suffragists, and three prominent members—Airs. Dcspard, the niter of General French, Mrs. How Martyn, and Miss Hodgson—seccdod from the Women's Social and Political Union to found a fresh suffrago society of Ijhcir own. The ground given by tho seceders was that they could not take part in "the constitutional methods of a section of the committee." At first glance it might be thought that the cause of objection was the public demonstrations, but this interpretation would seem to bo incorrect, i ■ Miss Christabel Pankhursti in explaining the situation as understood by tho members of the Union who have stood firm to it, said:—"lt is quite true these ladies have loft us because they do not see oyo to eye with us on all matters. Under these circumstances it is better for them and better for us that we should work apnrt for the common cause. We wish them luck and all good fortuno in their new organisation. "The 'unconstitutional methods' referred to in .the letter have nothing to do with our active plans of campaign as demonstrated outside and inside tho Houses of Parliament and elsewhere. Mrs. Dcspard and tho others wero with us in that, and suffered gladly with us. "It is a slight political difference. Mrs. De - pard is keenly interested in Labour, and this Union in its membership pledgo agrees not to support tho candidates of any political party until women have obtained tho parliamentary vote." Tho vacancies caused' by the retirement of tho three ladies wore filled at a meeting of tho Union. Mrs. Pankhurst, tho. founder of tho Union, was appointed lion, secretary, in tho place of Mrs. How Martyn, while Mrs. Mabol Tuko replaces Mrs. Dcspard as joint hon. secretary.