THE SUFFRAGIST MARTYRS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3061, 4 December 1908, Page 4

THE SUFFRAGIST MARTYRS.

The ready disoosition of the woman suffragist to go to gaol in the interests of her "cause," writes a London correspondent, had led to new prison regulations being drafted at Holloway for her reception and detention. These political champions are all searched on reception. They go to chapel for about 25 minutes every week-day, and about 2| hours on Sunday. They are occupied about five hours daily at associated labour, and they take exercise for one full hour every day. They wear the prison dress of the second division, which is of a different colour from that worn by other prisoners. The underclothing provided is new; while the outer clothing, is' not absolutely new, has been previously worn only by suffragist prisoners. They are allowed letters and visits in accordance with the rules for second division prisoners—one visit in each month, and to write and receive one letter in each month, but special letters and visitors are permitted if any emergency arises. They have a liberal supply of books, and are allowed to read them at any time during the day or evening, up to 8 o'clock, when they are not engaged in work.

THE BALKAN WAR CLOUD. We are disposed to think, remarks a contemporary, that were it not for the fact that the Ice King has southeastern Europe in his grip, and will hold it lor the next three months, that the Governments of the Balkan States would have been unable to hold in check the flood of racial passions. There have been occasions during the last few weeks when the chances of a Deaceful solution of the crisis so wantonly provoked by Austria were hopeless. Nor are the Continental Powers yet out of the wood. Any hour a little fire may be kindled that not improbably will set all Europe in a blaze. We believe that nothing save the impossibility of expeditiously conducting military movements in the heart of a cruel winter stands between the Powers and war. And it is this breathingtime, so to apeak, that Great Britain, France and Russia, who are working in harmony, 'iope to utilise on behalf of reason and equity. The task is obviously beset with grave difficulties. There are half a dozen different nationalities to be considsred; there are intense racial divisions that no diplomacy can reconcile; and in every question pertaining to the Near East there are always secret intrigue and perfidious ally to be reckoned with. At this moment the situation is apparently one of irreconcilable antagonisms.