MRS. PANKHURST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1686, 28 February 1913, Page 5

MRS. PANKHURST.

CHARGED WITH INCITEMENT TO CRIME.

LETTER TO THE BENCH,

, SCURRILOUS AND UNWORTHY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, February 20. During the hearing of tho case at the Epsom Police Court against Mrs. Pankhurst, charged, under the Malicious Damage to Property Act, with incitement to crime, the 'Magistrates handed Mr. Marshall Hall, Jv.C., Mrs. Pankliurst's counsel, an unopened letter addressed to the Bench. Mr. Hall, on opening it, stated that it was from Suffragettes at Epsom, and was scurrilous and unworthy of notice. Mr. A, H. Bodkin, for the prosecution, emphasised tho seriousness of the charge of being an accessory before the fact to the commission of a felony. The abominable outrage had avowedly been intended to overawe the public and the Government ■in furtherance of a seditious and illegal schenfe. Mrs. Pankhurst was committed to tho Guildford Assizes for trial, and sent to gaol, having declined, in the event of bail being granted, to refrain from continuing the agitation. LEGISLATION FORESHADOWED. SUFFRAGETTE PRISONERS. i . . • London, February 20. Telephone, wires at a dozen call offices in Belfast have been cut. The Home Office will continue forcible, feeding of, prisoners until life is endan-' gered, and .they will .then be released. It is hinted that a Bill is being prepared to enable Suffragette prisoners, to be released on license; also providing for the recovery of fines.. STATEMENT ISSUED. MRS. PANKHURST'S VIEWS. • ... (Rec. February 27, 10.25 p.m.) London, February 27. Mrs. Pankhurst, who is to be tried at tho Muy Assizes, was dismayed at fincling she was unablo to ho tried at the curroilt sittings, and agitatedly declared she would not have a fair trial if she were kept in custody, and her punishment to begin forthwith, as sho is a hunger-striker, and if alive in tho'Summer it would be a dying woman who . would be placed on trial. ■ , . - ; - ; 'l Mru. Pankhtifbt has. issticd. a; statement since bail has been refused'thfit she'repudiates the right of the authorities to try her. Englishmen hayo'.the .right to be tried by their own' peers, and that right is denied to women, therefore. she would not consent 'to .the legal farce or comply with prison, discipline. MORE OUTRAGES. ■■■ FIRE AND PHOSPHORUS.. . (ltec. February 27, 10.25 p.m.) . London, February 27. ■ A woman .was arrested on the All England tennis ground at AVimbledqn carry r ing a bag of fire-lighter's shavings and I oil. ' The Suffragettes attempted to fire .the Rookluimpton sports pavilion! The women escaped, but a man was arrested with a quantitybt i comtinstibies.'.-.% card inscribed ''This is'done localise Mrs. Pankhurst has been refused .bail" w(is found. , Much .correspondence was destroyed by > phosphorus placed in pillar-boxes in Not-, tingham. Tho Suffragette literature' stall at Walsall has been wrecked;' A large .demonstration at the Coronation Hall,' Worthing,-- was .btpken up.amid ( exciting The pwd,. ntfeinptcd. the Suffragettes in ii horse trough.