Suffragette Riot in Parliament Square
It was anything but an edifying picture which the “suffragettes” of London presented in the riot which they aroused in Parliament Square, June 29. Premier Asquith refused to receive them, knowing well of course that such a meeting as that would be futile. The police had been warned of their coming and had gathered there to the number of three thousand to guard the House of Commons and the entrance to Mr. Asquith’s office. Very kind and considerate were the police until some of the leading women began to use violence. One of the chief suffragettes struck Inspector Jarvis on the ear and knocked his cap off. Like a gentleman he picked up his cap and put it on again, when another woman knocked it off. The attempts were made to rush the police cordon. Finally there seemed to be no other way than to arrest the ringleaders, and 112 of them were arrested and thrown into jail. They came prepared for that, too. Several large stones which smashed windows had been carefully wrapped in newspapers. It is difficult to conceive how such methods could further the cause of woman suffrage; rather it must lessen respect for the women who engage in it on the part of both men or sensible women.