The "Parliamentary Conciliation Committee for Woman Suffrage" has asked the
Home Secretary for a public inquiry into the conduct of the Metropolitan Police towards the militant suffragists on the three days of their last demonstra- tion—November 18th, 22nd, and 23rd. The committee has issued a memorandum which brings extremely grave charges against the police, not only of brutality but of indecency. When women are so foolish as to try repeatedly to break through lines of policemen (who, as a rule, are very reluctant to raise a hand against them) they are bound to suffer in being thrust back, however gently the police may try to do it. But the charges in the memorandum are charges of worse things than casual brutalities--deliberately thought-out tortures. We imagine that Mr. Churchill will see fit to grant an inquiry, not merely because the request comes from a non- party organisation, but because he owes it to the police that they should not be allowed to rest under such very grave imputations—imputations so entirely at variance with their high records—if they can rebut them. The police, we are sure, will not only not fear but will welcome an impartial investigation.
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