The opening of Parliament was marked by an extraordinary demonstration
on the part of the supporters of women's Suffrage. It appears that about a hundred ladies made their way to the House, of whom thirty contrived to gain entrance to the outer lobby on the ground that they had business with various Members of Parliament,—many of whom have since declared that this use of their names was entirely un- warranted. Failing in their attempt to secure an interview with the Premier, the leaders made inflammatory speeches in the central hall, and on refusing to leave were removed shrieking and struggling by the police. Ten ladies were arrested on a charge of using threatening and abusive language and inciting to disturbance, but were released on giving a pledge that they would not return to the House of Commons. On the following day they were brought up at the Westminster Police Court, and, after further stormy scenes, were committed to prison. Our only comment on this ridiculous, but none the less disagreeable, episode is that such tactics are calculated to defeat the avowed aims of those who resort to them. Nothing could be more fatal to a movement than that those of its supporters who aspire to martyrdom should only succeed in being regarded as naughty children.
