The London Police Strike.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 11 July 1890, Page 2

The London Police Strike.

EXCITEMENT IN THE STREETS. AN HOTEL WBECKID. London, Aug. July 7. A crowd ot thousands^ most roughs asseinb ed and blockaded Bow street interfering wtth the ingress to Convent Garden Theatre when the Prince of Wales was present. The mounted Police occasionally charged the pavement and roadway knocking many persons down. A squadron of Life Guards are patrolling the streets The crowd cheer the soldiers and constables "but hiss the police officers and pelt them with flour and stones. The Prince of Wales waß cheered on leaving the theatre. Owing the increasing rowdiness of tiie roughs, additional Guards had to be summoned. A few windows have been broken, and one hotel is partially wrecked. At 1 o'clock heavy rain fell and the crowd dispersed. Many of the clerks are engaged guarding the bunks and rich storees. Strong re r serves of police have boen stationed at various points, but at present all is qniefc. Ninety Bow street constables hare been reported, and 40 suspended, for refusing duty on Saturday. The police who were suspended al # le»p that they only hesitated, and finally weut on duty. Sir Edward Brentford personally inquired into the charges and dismissed 48 of the men. Hitherto a police strike has only been averted by the advice of the elder men of the force. The public are indignant at the intimidation employed by the men, and plenty of special coustables 'are ready to volunteer. The Government ia pressin? ou the PoHce Pensions Bill in the House of Commons. With few exceptions all the police are on duty. ,_ The police constables who are dismissed addressed a meeting! in Bow street in the afternoon. S'trme of the speakers urged '-violent resistance to or lera bur there was an evident want of union, and the- elder members of the force were reluctant to face dismissal. Large numbers of policemen in plain clothes incited a crowd of 5000 rowrlies in the evening, and the coir duct of the m ( ib was strongly inrimidative antil the Guards arrivpd. The mob cried " Viw la Anarchy" and «ang the " Marseili laise." Flowerpots, crockery, bottles rotten vegetables, and pitchers' of water were thrown at the police officer*. The Socialists we're aetivt in urging the soldiery to side with the people Many of the mob re' sifted the efforts of tbe troopers to maintain order, and tried to cut the reins of their horses. The foot constables were of little assistance, audit w.is Rpparent that their sympaty was with their comrades The Southwark Reserves have replaced the mutinous members of Bow street.