VANDAL'S WANTON OUTEAGE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2005, 12 March 1914, Page 5

VANDAL'S WANTON OUTEAGE.

SUFFRAGETTE IN NATIONAL GALLERY.

HATCHET USED ON VENUS OF VELASQUEZ.

PICTURE BADLY DAMAGED.

By Telezrapli-Precs A^asMtiMi-CoDyirislU _. Untton, March 10. the notorious suffragette. Man- Richardson, armed with ,-j hatchet," badly damaged the Velasquez "Venus" (purchased for £45,000' by public sttbseripm? n V n „ i,! th ° National Gallery, lho Gallery and the Wallace Collection nave been closed until further notice. liio culprit, who has frequently been arrested and released under th« "Cat and Mouse" Act, has been committed tor trial for inflicting several rents in the picture of Vonns," its value thcrebv being depreciated by £10,000 to £15,000. ■Bail was not allowed. ,

Defiant Tirade. Richardson boasts that she is not unwilling to die. She said she had attempted to destroy tho most beautiful woman m mythology as a- protest ag«i»st the Government destroying Sirs. Panfchurst, the most beautiful' character in modern history, "Mrs, Pankkurst seeks justice for womanhood; for this she is being slowly murdered by a. Government of Iseariot politicians." * Policemen gavts evidence tiiat when arrested Richardson remarked: "I am a suffragette. I broke the mclnre. You can get another picture-, but vou cannot get another life, as thov arc kilting Mrs. Pankhurst."

Replying to a Magistrate. Richardson expressed contempt for the Govc-rnnjont, which didjiot treat, ail persons equally. "Mr. M'Konna," she said, "cannot make me servo a -sentence, lie cam only repeat the farce of releasing; me or else Mil mc; cither way mine is victory."

DETAILS OF THE OUTRAGE'. (Rec. March 11, 5.40 p.m.) Undoftt March 10. The Nationnl Gallery was fairly well filled at the tints of the aeotimrico. The lady stood before t-lio VclasqiKS! Venus, which she studied for a few moments', watched by an attendant policeman, while tho detectives were ih an adjoining gallery. She then drew a small hatchet from her muff and dealt lib's picture a terrific blow, shattering the glass and slashing the canvas. Fire less powerful blows were then delivered in rapid succession beforo the. attendant policeman seized her.

It has been ascertained that the- cuts in the canvas are's* straia;3it and clean that the damage may possibly bo repaired for £100. " " (Rec. March 12, 0.10 a.m.) London, Starch 11. The cuts made- in tho Venus picture' aro six inches long, and all in the figure, Thero is littlo doubt that the work may bo repaired so that tlie slashes will he practically uinioticeable. THE CLASGOW RIOTS. MRS. PANKHURST BUNDLED OFF ;.:••:..; to lojojon. ' ' Wartorij Mar-eli 10. | A crowd of Suffragettes picketed tte Glasgow railway' station throughout the night., _ .. ~,i . ~; ( . ' Tho'"police in tlie,mowring forced Mrs. Pankkurst, who struggled, on te » stretcher, and carried Lftr to a Motorcar. Suffragettes in. another motor-car vainly pursued the police car to Coatbridge; where- the London train was specially stopped and picked up Mrs. Pankhurst and two detectives.

Mrs. Paiiklmr*t is l]H!iger-strikf».g. Suffragettes are picketing the h<m<hii railway termini atid Helloway Gaol. (Rec. March 11, 0.10 a.at.) London, March 1.1. A nuinbor of suffragettes travelled to London by Mrs, Fauklrarpt's train. The pclico stopped the train near a- London road, leaving the part containing the suffragettes in a tunnel. Mrs. Pankhttrst, in. ft state of collapse, was taken to. Holloffa-y Prison. "THE MALICIOUS INJURIES ACT." London, March 10. Mr. Asquith, in replying to a. suggestion tliat the (Severnment should Extend tlio provisions of the Malicious Injuries in Ireland Act to Great, Britain owing to tlio suffragette outrages, and especially that of Mary Hichardsow, said that ho was.not satisfied that swell aft extension would liavo the effect desired.