HC Deb 11 July 1918 vol 108 cc486-7
20 and 21. Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether Mrs. Swanwick will be permitted to speak at a pacifist demonstration in Hyde Park on Sunday next; and if she is a German by birth, only British by marriage, and a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation; (2) whether his attention has been called to a peace demonstration to be held in Hyde Park on the 14th July; whether the Women's International League is taking part; if so, whether he is aware that this society advises women to abstain from war work and from giving any sort of material, intellectual, or moral support whatever to the War; and whether he will take action to end such action?

Sir G. CAVE

I understand that the 14th July, the date fixed for this pacifist demonstration in Hyde Park, is being kept as the French National Fete Day, and that a demonstration of sympathy with the French nation, supported by the Alsace-Lorraine League, is being held in Hyde Park on the same day. Having regard to these facts and to the certainty that the demonstration in honour of the French nation will draw large crowds of soldiers and others to the park, I am advised by the police authorities that the holding of a peace demonstration on the same day and in the same place is likely to give rise to grave disorder and to cause undue demands to be made on the police. I have accordingly decided, in the interest of public order, to prohibit the pacifist demonstration. Having regard to this decision, the other parts of these questions do not appear to arise.

General CROFT

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to those words in the programme of the Women's International League which appear to be seditious?

Sir G. CAVE

I have not taken action on that ground, but on the ground stated in the answer.

General CROFT

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter, and see where women are urged to take no part in war work, or to give any support whatever, and is not that seditious, and might not a raid take place at the offices of the Women's International League?

Mr. KING

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he has already raided the Women's International League, quite unsuccessfully, several times?