FASTING IN PRISON

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2137, 1 May 1914, Page 4

FASTING IN PRISON

PROBLEM OF THE MUTANT SUFFRAGETTES

CAT ANB MOUSE ACT

._ShiCD the- deplorablo -outrage at the National Giilloiry sstnc weeks ago, some criticism has been heard, ivs to tke efficacy of the Prisoners .(Tomporary Discharge for 111-healUs) A,ci, popularly known as tho "Cat and Mouse" Act. Inquiries in official circles, however, .have confirmed tho impression (states the "Tiroes")' that those who are,responsible for its administration are up ia tho present satisfied with its workins. It was pointed out that the Act was brought forward to meet a unique' situation, anrl though no one claims that ifc is a perfect way out of the difficulty, it is urgGtl that at any rate no better solution has been thought of. Putting on one skh Dr. Mereier's sisggestio-a, iu a receiit totter to "The Times," that tho women should; be nllwwl to stasTo, friiioh is still regarded Ijy the authorities as iinprftcticable and linaeceptablo to public opinion," bo other proposal which will bear scrutiny lias • been brought forward. Vague suggestions,' ■ stick ss deportation ■te St. lietena or other pi'iicds uw>.rtmed, Itavo been made, but the pusszlo confrofttiiifr the antliorities was to discover something practicalilfl. .

f Sincci it- was ptit into fereo ths> "Cii.fc i and Monso" Act lias been so oiticriy ati tacked liy siipjioriers of \ tho militant ' Movement as to Jtave little doubt that it is slowly but surely bringing abotit it decklsd improvement. Heec-ntly the eampaiga of violeiteo lias dm Jjeeii so proumiliteil as in the months boforo the passing of-the Act,, though.-on© or two .particularly glaring oiitriiges havo ar» rested public aitcntiovi. Tho fairest way ■to look at tho working of ttie Act,' ft is- olaimeflj is to consider what would havo been happening if that nwasuM. had riot been pushed forward, and as ,711 exaiftpld tho fwsemt arrest of Sllss Sylvia Pankburst is quoted. Formerly, ■ ■ones she had been released from prison- I — l ft coOTs.O whieh n'ouhl have been iravcit* atik- hi view of the dnterminatioji of; tlto ilflfhorities uo-t to allow A a course whk-d would -havt> becli nuino from arrest until Some frosli rage- kad been committed; , \Jii4er thepowers conferred uj>en the- police b> , ■ tho "Opt a-inl Mou?e" Act it Was reeontly found possible to intercept- Miss Panklmrst on hat way to e- meeting 111 Trafalfrar Square before slw had an epportltljity of' doing any damage. ■ .A.further result of the Art"has beo.fi ' fiat the women ■ released on license h(A that they aro-liable to b>? rearaststl at any TOOmeni, and this fast has ind'iicftd therm for tiro most part to keep w hii ing. After a time every man is.Jppteel en with suspicion- as hokie p6ss.i¥!.y a ■piaiis-Rlethed detouiuve, ancj th.e feaiil.t is a continual Strain en tho jiviiid of tho woman, which lins resulted 111 mort than one ease in lior leaving iho eountry 'Or iibstainiHg from furtlwr violeijc*. ." For the niost part the public spaakors of the union, though they incite to acts of-violence, take no actital part in tiiptr perpetration, the tsvo elas'ses of workefs being kept quite distinct, As a rule the woiken who a.re considered likely to eoniinit acts *f vibJeno'o are wrVI .kjwffii , to tho a-fitliflrife, and their .movements-are closiaiy wa'tohed. „■■•.■: