Accusations are made against the police of brutality, but there
is little evidence of it beyond the hard blows struck in collisions which rapidly become free fights. A few workmen in uniform have to contend with many " workmen " out of it, and naturally hit hard. The police, an eye-witness informs us, have generally used their fists, and not their truncheons ; and scattered mobs frequently appeared to enjoy the fighting. Some of the rioters, however, are most embittered against the police ; and some of the police, worn out with hard work, double duty, and the persecution of the mob, may have lost their tempers. It is to be regretted that the numbers of the mounted men cannot be largely and suddenly reinforced. They are far
more effective than the men on foot, and being so visible, they can be avoided more easily by those who do not intend an attack. So far, no lives have been taken and no shop plundered ; but these riots, besides costing the shopkeepers thousands a week, raise an impression abroad most injurious to English business. London is the warehouse, as well as banking- house of the world, and even a few hours' disorder would most seriously impair her credit. There is a good deal of pitiable distress in some districts, notably Poplar ; but the remedy always pressed by the leaders of the crowd, State- work for all at fair wages, is impracticable. Any work given must be taken out of the employed workmen's mouths, and they would not bear the competition of State-paid artisans.
