FASCISTS AND COMMUNISTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 58, 31 May 1927, Page 7

FASCISTS AND COMMUNISTS

FREE FIGHTS IN ENGLAND Rowdy scenes occurred at a demonstration of British Fascists at the Prince of Wales’s Baths. Kentish Town. London. There were several free flghts in the middle of the hall and women among the audience made a rush for the exits. Interruptions occurred early in the evening, but it was not until Captain Turner-Coles, vice-president and chief of staff of the British Fascists, rose to speak that serious interference was experienced. “Some of our Socialist friends shout down everything,” said the speaker “What have they ever done to uplift anything?” This remark brought a storm of cheers and counter-cheers which prevented the speaker from proceeding further. Then in the body of the hall there was a sudden rush toward several men who refused to sit down. Calm was restored for a moment, but the trouble broke out afresh when Captain Turner-Coles referred to “Communists who went down to Southwark and shouted and raved and made themselves look like fools.” The speech was suspended while he ordered the people to sit down and gave the order “Fascists, stand by!” Meanwhile a heated argument was going on between several people in the centre of the hall, and finally two came to blows. Fascists gathered round and quickly hustled two or three men out of the building. This appeared to be the signal for blows to be struck indiscriminately, and soon there were a dozen or more people fighting. Women screamed and rushed for the exits, but in the middle of the melee a police inspector made his appearance and his presence had a calming effect. On leaving the hall the people assembled on the pavement and sang the • Red Flag.” Policemen moved them on, but they formed up in another place and continued singing, the Fascists replying with their war cries. The crowd then dispersed without further incident.