Hunger-March Disorders , The so-called hunger marchers have been the
indirect rather than the direct cause of considerable disorder in London three tithes in the past week, for the marchers themselves behaved for the most Part in a perfectly orderly fashion. Only five of them were charged. But the crowds attracted to the marchers' meetings in Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square contained a deliberately rowdy element, and it is clear enough that disorder was definitely fomented by members of the numerically negli- gible Communist movement. The whole business is deplorable, and exaggerated accounts of it gaining cur- rency abroad play. no small part in driving sterling to a lower level. The various authorities concerned handled a difficult situation as well as circumstances allowed. It is hard to see how such marches can be prohibited. Any man has a right to walk from Manchester to London if he chooses, and if men like to walk fifty together they break no law. The strain on the Public Assistance authorities in London has been severe, but here 'again regulations cannot be strained. to admit of the refusal to the marchers of the food and shelter to which every destitute person is entitled. Sir Cyril Cobb's account of the arrangements made by the Public Assistance Committee of the L.C.C. reflects considerable credit on that body and on him as its chairman. If Lord Trenchard's appeal to ordinary citizens to keep away from these demonstrations were regarded, the police would have an easier time.
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