The managers of the Social Democratic Federation, whose action produced
the riot of February, have announced their intention of accompanying the Lord Mayor's procession on November 9th, with all the unemployed of London at their heels. Sir James Fraser, Commissioner of City Police, there- fore addressed them a letter, in which he points out to them that the streets through which their procession must pass will be occupied by vast crowds on foot, that these crowds always rush forward into the roadway as soon as the Lord Mayor has passed, and that the inevitable collision between the procession and the sightseers will be productive of " grave disorders." He therefore called upon the managers to abandon the pro- cession, and warned them that they would be held respon- sible for all consequences. This letter has been called weak ; but it is only a kindly and sensible remonstrance, such as English officials usually issue before they appeal to force. The Commissioner of Police does not desire either to humiliate or to threaten the Socialist leaders, but to warn them that they cannot be permitted to disturb the peace. Mr. Hyndman and his colleagues refuse as yet to desist from their design, and as they will be followed by all the fanatics and most of the criminals of London, the riots are likely to assume. serious pro- portions. The police, however, are forewarned, and the reputable workmen, who are highly indignant at the spoiling of their holiday, will this time lend them active assistance. That may increase the violence of the collision ; but there is no help for it unless the Lord Mayor's Show is abandoned, which would be an overt act of surrender to the forces of disorder. The Show, though it interrupts traffic and embarrasses the police, is legal by the prescription of centuries.
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