SCENE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1672, 13 December 1887, Page 4

SCENE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.

Kobert Cunningham Graham, M.P,, on Nov. 13th, attempted to address some 10,000 of bis partisans in Trafalgar Square in defiance of Sir Charles Warren’s anti-meeting proclamation. When they were assembling the advanced Liberals were met by about 4000 Metropolitan Felice, and after some skirmishes and many serious conflicts dispersed in disorder, carrying with them hundreds of swollen heads and bruised bodies. Two hundred cf the people and forty policemen are said to be injured and fifty persons were arrested. Graham himself was clubbed and arrested and released on bail. The ssene has not been equalled since 1866, when the people asse'ling their right of public meeting destroyed the railing around Hyde Park. Besides the police, 300 Grenadiers were stationed in the barracks at the rear of the National Gallery. When the mob reached 100,000 and the police found themselves powerless to move, a compact mass of Grenadiers were not only called on, but a detachment of Life Guards, under Colonel Talbot, came on the scene, and Magistrate Marsham prepared to read the Biot Act, preparatory to the military taking a hand in the business. 'lhere was no occasion for this, however. The sight of the soldiers and the renewed efforts of the police succeeded in dispersing the crowd. Towards nightfall some of the men cheered the Guards and Grenadiers, while they hooted the police who got their batons to work in a very lively manner. Others shouted “ Britons shall not be ruled by Lad or bayonets.” With the exception of the smashing of a window in au electrician’s shop and one belonging to a restaurant no damage was ,doue. The police captured all the flags and banners. Some outside conflicts occurred during the afternoon, and a severe one took place at Broad Street, Bloomsbury. A large body arrived at St. James’ street, Pall Mall, at 4 o’clock hooting the Carlton and cheering ihe Keform Club. When this body was near the Athenseum the police barred the way. The crowd pushed and the police clubbed aad drove them away, their banner broken down and trodden under foot. Meanwhile the Prince of Wales, who was sitting in a cab unobstructed, returning to Marlborough Houses, ordered drinks for all the policemen on duty in the vicinity, and the Pall Mall Clubs followed bis example.