The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 7

ymB ummmrm mmmtAW thtosbattv mairch m. ww. 7 SUFFRAGISTS FOILED. FIGHTING NEAR LAKE CHAD. CRITIC IN A FIX.

HOUSE OF LORDS. DUMA AND THE FAMINE p. BALFOUR'S BREACH OF PRIVILEGE." A H03IE RULE PREDICTION. W'ESTMIXSTEB, WEDNE8DAY NlQHT. Bv drawing attention to-day to Mr.

Balfour's charges of fraud and conspiracy against tho Government Mr. Swift MacNeill placed Speaker, the House, and tho orator in sn interesting dilemma. There could be no doubt, as Mr. MacNeill showed, that if the K-orck meant anything at all the ex-Premier fcaJ hcon guilty of a breach of privilege. But did tho words mean anything? Looking at the defendant while this crucial point was under discussion one could see that he- was torn by conflicting emotions.

"Read on," f.lCriod, his natural vanity struggling against acqiiiconce in a plea which, although it might lead to safety, was bound at the same time to involve some personal humiliation. "I will lcavo you to do that," retorted Mr. MacNeill, who, to do him justice, was disposed to insist that the culprit should beheld fully responsible for his actions. Happily tho Speaker took a more lenient view. He put tho case very tactfully.

Of course, as he 'aid, nobody could imagine that Mr. Balfour ieallv meant to impute fraud and conspiracy to Ministers. Doubtless the offending words were used, "but wo all know," said Mr. Ijwther gently, that in the ardour of political conflict words are very considerably strained." A deep blush overspread Mr. Balfour's brow.

Balfonr, Balfour," called the Liberals invitingly. But of the two horns of his dilemma tho "Unionist leader had derided to choose the easier, preferring to see himself set down as a mere rhetorician rather than to face the penalty that might have attended a more heroic course. Presumably in ignorance of this humbling incident, Lord Denbigh a little later took occasion to reiterate the Balfourian imputation. But Lord Denbigh, it should be noted, was speaking in Alsatia, or rather in the equally anarchic atmosphere of the House of Lords. To-day that sanctuary was anarchic indeed, for the peers had assembled to do Jcddart justice on Mr.

Bin-ell. "Your hill," said Lord Denbigh in effect, is a fraud on the British electorate. And I challenge the Government." he added with delicious naivete, "to teli us wnat tnew mil 1 ml. 1 -11 Mrs. Jenkins (Mid'Glamorgan), Mrs.

Cooper 0e'wsbury), Mrs. Sheard (Boehdale), and Miss Wilkinson (Rochdale). Amongst the later arrests were those of Mies A. Wright (Bournemouth), Mrs. Pennaoe-(Hnd-dersfield), Mrs.

Holmes (Croydon), anil Mies New, Miss Kerwen, Miss Leigh, Mies B. Jerome, Pr. Mabel Hardie, and Mme. Naici Peters (all of London). The last named is a well-known Norwegian lady with a reputation as a painter and writer.

HOW THE RAID WAS MET. The Central News says that at the afternoon conference no efforts were made to conceal the design to march upon the House. Mrs. Pank-hurst, who presided, Mrs. Sespard, Miss Annie Kenney, and Mrs.

Cobden-Saunderson all joined in urging the women to show such ccurage and determination as would make the happenings at previous raids insignificant in comparison. Miss Kenney appeared in the garb of the cotton operatives, wearing het hair in a plait and having clogs on her feet. At her back sat about a score of young women similarly attired, and pointing towards them Miss Kenney exclaimed These women have come to London full of courage and determination to do their part for the vote, for they more than anybody know what the vote will do for them and the thousands of other women employed in Lancashire." THE SCENES IN THE STREETS. The Press Association, describing what followed Lady Harberton's offer to convey to the House of Commons the resolution condemning the Government's attitude towards Mr. Dickinson's bill, and calling upon the Premier to put his expressed convictions on the subject of women's suffrage into practical shape, says: Amidst tremendous cheering Mrs.

Pankhurst and Mrs. Drummond marshalled the suffragists, Mrs. Drummond shouting, "Bise up, women." With shoute of "Now" and "We will," the agitators began to march into the street from the hall, only to find themselves faoed by a solid body of constables drawn up in orescent formation round the doors. Lady Harberton, who, with the resolution in her hand, was in the front, was addressed by a police inspector, who said: "Now, madam; you can't go to the House of Commons." 8he replied: "We must, and we shall." Her comrades crowded round and took up the ory, whereupon the inspector gave the order, "Break them up, men." As the women poured out of the building the polioe forced their way through their ranks and split them up into little groups. Lady Harberton's bodyguard of some twenty North-country cotton operatives, clad in shawls and clogs, were, as expected, the first to show fight, and they vigorously retaliated upon the police, harassing them considerably.

From the first it was obvious the police had received special instructions to use no more force than was necessary, and to arrest no more people than they could help. going to be." Having thus vindicated' hi. character for judicial impartiality, the honeycombed with crevices and caves from Unionist peer condoled with Lord Crewe on wl" th. Tibuks, without exposing them-having to answer a question which he might elvea maintained an accurate and deadly regard as indiscreet. "Not at all," replied poisoned arrows.

So true was their Lord Crewo in the blandly satirical tone aom that soldiers were killed at 5M0 yards, much dreaded by his opponents. "Let inejOa reaching the place the British formed remind my noble friend of the reply given a square at a distance of 800 yards from tho bv a former French Ambassador to a lady Tibuk Hill, and steps were at once taken to who onco put a qurstion to him with a' picket the water-holes and to place sentries similar apology. ho replied, both night and day. nucstion cannot be indiscreet, though the The operations were of specially hazardous answer to it might And Lord Crewe character and lasted ten days, the officers emnhasised tho noint with a eourtlv little and men having to crawl between the great from the shock the Minister was fairly embarked on an eminently discreet disquisi- mg to the nerves, tor scarcely any oi tne 6 nem oj. weir auour-tion on "the might have beens of Irish Tibuks were 6een, and the constant and well-1 dity, and generally accentuated it.

history. "A most interesting study," he aimed arrow fire was very harassing. As the two ladies walked across the road, one of mused, contemplating his indignant in- British crawled over the crevices they could them carrying a sheet of paper. They reached quisitor, and I would recommend it to Lord hear the Tibuks talking loudly in their caves the door of fte Hougfl unmoiested and made a Denbigh as an exercise for the vacatJon He below and occasionally one would be seen, modest request for an interview with the Prime and ether noblo lords ought to inform them- who after firing his arrow would disappear Minister Th tfa resolution had solves of the fact that there really is such a underground. place as Ireland.

At present many of them As a protection the troops were covered )u, Passed the Conference, and had seem to imagine that it is merely a collection in improvised padded coats and blankets, otflanked the enemy by leaving the rest of the of counties such as the Midlands or East through which the arrows could not pene- deputation within Caxton Hall. Their request Anilia. We, on the other hand, believe trate, and thus attired they pluckily went was refused until one of the ladies was identi-there is such a place as Ireland, and for clown into the caves, which were often quite ned as the Viscountess Harberton. Whereupon that reason wo are determined to do what dark and full of men. jthey forgot that she was a "suffragette," and we can to give tho Irish people a larger jhe Tibuks were given every chance to only remembered that she was a peeress and share in tho management of their own Kn.

a T-fusot tn Tn en. and after i admitted Hr DEMAND FOE BETTER BELIEF ORGANISATION. A proposal made in the Duma yesterday for the institution of a special earn mission to organise relief for the famine-stricken die tricts gave rise to a prolonged debate, in which members of the various groups took part. A notable speech during the discussion was made by M. Kaklugin, deputy for the Don territory, who said that famine also pre vailed among the Cossacks, many of whom were begging for relief.

M. Fedoroff, member for the city of St. Petersburg, urged the necessity for radical reforms in the treatment of famine, on the ground that palliatives leE to nothing in countries where it was chronic, as, for instance, India and China. A large number of deputies, principally peasants, spoke, but although they touched upon every phase of the question no definite proposals were made. M.

Roditcheff (Constitutional Democrat), with his customary eloquence, pointed out the impossibility of the distress being alleviated directly by the Duma, but he urged deputies to set to work on the lines laid down by the Tsar, who allowed and even commanded them to demand accounts and to control the famine relief department of the Ministry of the Interior, and thus exercise the functions of a Parliamentary assombly. (Cheers from Centre and Right.) REMARKABLE INCIDENTS. Reuter's St. Petersburg correspondent tele! graphed 1 The latter part of the debate was marked by several remarkable incidents. Professor Kieeo (Liberal, Moscow), supporting M.

Roditcheff, insisted on the organisation of a system by which measures taken by the Government for the relief of the famine should be controlled. In conclusion the speaker said: "If we perceive abuses we shall not say to the Government 'Hands as M. Stolypin said yesterday, but Hands M. Purishkevich (Reactionary) declared that he could not understand the presence of Revolutionary Socialists in the Duma while outside it they were severely punished as a seditious party a statement which was greeted with laughter and uproar. M.

Purishkevioh, who is a member of the Union of the Russian People, at first renounced his right to speak, but afterwards, ascending the tribunal, said it was dear that the parties composing the Left were malriTig the famine tho leading item of their programme, their aim being to make the Duma a sort of general staff of the revolution. M. Krushevan, the anti-Semite leader, followed. The sitting then developed into a discussion in favour of and against the proposal of M. Roditcheff to postpone the debate on the organisation, of relief for the famine.

The members otVba Left attacked M. Roditcheff, demanding an immediate debate and a decision on the question. The members of the Right supported the President, and on M. Roditcheff'8 proposal being put to the vote it was adopted, as was also a motion for tlie suspension of the sitting, the Centre and Right voting for the suspension and the Left against it, and at a quarter to six the House adjourned until the 22nd inst. During the course of the debate M.

Kaklugin affirmed that over half a million persons were starvine in the Don territory. M. Khasano. the Mussulman deputy for Ufa, saia xnere was omciauy no tamine in his government. He produced some amorphous lumps in the tribune, and said This is no clod of earth, as you might think, but the food of thousands." Another speaker said: The peasants and workmen will not long be patient at a time when, as at Kasan, they are selling their daughters for food.

You may soon have to aid the nobles id pro prietors. Some deputies have received a memorial signed by 700 unemployed of St. Petersburg aecianng tney will soon die, either from nunger or by the bayonet. MEMORIAL NOTICES. Mb.

H. D. TONGE. The death is announced. at his residence at Dieley, of Mr.

H. Dacre xonge, a member of the firm of Messrs. Lath-bury and India and China merchants. Mr. Tonge was also a director of Benger'B Food, Limited, and of Messrs.

Henrv BrisreH. Son. and Limited. He was, too, a director of the cnestiire Public-house Trust, which controls the Ram's Head Hotel, Disley, and other local interests mav be indicated bv his connection with the Disley Horticultural Society, of which no was chairman, and with the Disley Golf Club, in which he has held at one time or other all the principal offices, including that of can- tain. He was a well-known member and a past president of the Brasenose Club.

Mr. Tonge was a member of the family of Tonges of Tonge Hall, Middleton, an illustration of which appeared in the Manchester Guardian a few months ago. He wasa Co'irervative in politics, in which, however, he took no very active part. Mr. Tonge's sudden death came as a very painful surprise to his numerous friends.

He leaves a widow and a large family. Gexebax. von Websxb. Reuter's Berlin correspondent reports the death, at the age of 84, of General Bemhard von Werder, Aide-de-camp General to the Emperor and formerly German Ambassador at St. Petersburg.

In the Prusso-Austrian War of 1866 he commanded a Fusilier Regiment of the Guards, while in the Rubso-Turkish War he was attached to the head quarters staff at the request of the Emperor Alexander woo neia nun in great esteem. He was appointed Ambassador at 8t. Petersburg in 1882, but was recalled on the Emtieror's death in 1395. The Rjbv. J.

C. Cox. The death is announced, in his 87th year, of the Bev. 7. C.

Cox, who was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and rowed in the University boat race in 1842, when Oxford won their first victory in London waters. Xa 1843 the famous seven-oared race took place at Henley Regatta for the Grand Challenge Cup. Cambridge had withdrawn so that their drew might be used to strengthen that of Oxford, who in case they won would have become possessors of the cup. The stroke of the Oxford boat fainted as he got into the boat, and the stewards refused to allow a substitute, out Oxford nevertheless won with seven oars. Cox's name appears in the list of the winning crew.

He was for ten years chaplain to the British Embassy in Paris, and was for thirty years vicar of Felstead, Essex. The death is also announced, at the age of 101, of Mas. VsazBXBsaoirs Osxiot, the mother of Dr. William Osier, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford. POISON BY POSE THE ACCUSED FOUND TO BB IHSAHK.

The trial of Thomas Matheson Brown, coBfery manager, en a charge of poisoning Grass M'Kerrow at New Cumnock, Ayrshire, eoneltxded fn Edinburgh yesterday. Jllw' ureau wj ra raw as WHS, JBJT. XaennOX. alter eating' toe care, Brown has all along Pot thV defence evii as fo the accused's Cumnock ataiioimiaster mmi ft j. i Dow oruer wsggui eqai, inougn xne ions asny; xo orders, Coin rajwUKiniui leheecaDsSraay 1 lllllll Mill IHV HMTI THE GOVEMOffiNT MD LORD (PROM OUR OWN REPORTERS.) The Lord Chancellor took his eeat yesterday at a quarter past four o'clock.

The Earl of DENBIGH (C) asked His Majesty's Government whether thev were aware that in November, 1906, Mr. John Redmond stated definitely that he and hia party would accept no rorm oz Home Rule that did not include a freely elected Parliament and an Executive responsible to it; whether, having regard to the Prima Minister's hmmIi nt Stirling in November, 1905, they accepted Mr. Redmond's words as embodying the "larger policy'' oi the Irish party; whether they regarded with approval the policy of establishing in Ireland a freely elected Parliament and an Exefqgive rSSnonsibla to it tu) tt nrhofhar nnv'libcril. lation dealing with the Government of Ireland wnicn may be introduced this session was to.be regarded as leading to that end. He saM'that although he bore an 'Irish name he possessed no property in Ireland.

He. put the question on the paper from the point of view of a mere! Briton, actuated from the point of view of self-preservation. They would remember the confusion caused by the Prime Minister's, speech at Stirling in 1905, and the soothing-syrup applied by Sir E. Grev. Mr.

AaauitH. Mr. Hal- dane, Sir Henry Fowler, and Mr. Birrell to allay anxiety. Those gentlemen assured the country there was no likelihood of Home Rule, in the present Parliament, and they would not use otes given on other issues for the numose of pushing a Home Rule policy.

The country was uuiea oy tnose assurances. What he wanted to know was whether th sentiments of tha Prime Minister were shared by his colleagues. Mr. John HATnnnA V.J nothing would satisfy the Irish party except a freely elected Parliament with an Executive responsible to it. If Ireland was to be satisfied, xnereiore, the Government must concede Mr.

Redmond a demands. This opened up a large UBUJ UUiUQ IHTBI P. He admitted England had much to answer for ko vai government or xreiand, out two wronss riiil Tint moVn a i.ii4 oould be remedied without a country Committing an act of national insanity. ibeiand not xo bb co mp abed with the Colonies. What would be the effect cf a freely elected Parliament in the way of Btrenrtheninir or weakening Great Britain 1 Ireland to put on the screw at any moment of difficulty and danger.

He asked the President oi the Council to say whether he regarded the language of the Nationalists as mere bluff. He suggested that the aim and object of the Irish party was to be free of all control from Grdat separate and independent nation. (Opposition Buomiuea tnat the position of this country, perhaps fighting for her existence Under thesa nInniimt.nM kk man fighting with one arm tied behind his back. Ha aV TT. o.cvi ouae to say, at any rate, thattne risks were far too serious for this country.

Ireland, he nnnM nnt with the colonies upon this question. It 6ns of the great self-governing colonies desireX tO "out the naintor pt.n. r. Ttrii-- would not mnM iu IT. tr.

a.A nVT lJ reduce it to order. But what about Iralandt suppose the disloyal faction in Ireland goVthe upper hand and declared Ireland independent. Would no Prim ErIr? If he did. tha "dorihtfni rant Englishman would not Bar, heat); he, at all events, would not see a hostile Ireland To.those who oontifiued to tals this futile nonsense about Ireland bearins ha would say, using a historical phrase, ''Enough of this foolery ''-(Laughter.) The geographSal position of Ireland, close to our sokes, placed it in a totally different position to muBMaas or mues hear.) As for those members of the Goexn-ment who before the general election weut of their way to assure the country thatfibire was no danger or prospect of Home fiule.lhey were now bahded together in a corporate and official position and were ooMidcrhM Government the most dishbnourableipolteat was rightly described by Mr. Balfouoft-Se previous day as nothing more or lsss uTa iht Britl8h electorate.

He thought that they had unearthed the biggest eleettoneer-ing fraud of modern days in the ChlntMS question. Were they onheptmJSfmr i.TTMt0!?,rla8 tid tbanthatt-! (Laughter.) It rested with the Governrarot to clear themselves if they LOUD CREWE'S SPEECH. THE POLICY OP THE GOVERNMENT. The Earl of CREWE (Lord President of the Council), commenting on Lord Denbigh's assurance that his question was a purely discreet one and that he had no desire to make any indiscreet inquiries as to the terms of the Government's Irish measure, said it was a former Ambassador from France to this country who was asked a question by lady who expressed some fear that it might be an indiscreet, nnn a -j awwHuor reply was that the question could not be indiscreet, but luigin vjuaugaier.) Conse quently, Lord Crewe said, he must endeavour to make his reply at least as discreet as the Question WAR. T-rtrrl TVI.I.V -1- A.

asaea waeuer the Government were aware of certain declarations made by Mr. Redmond at an earlier date. Thev were nf tnm. vow uwiuniani, as a uina nau. read zor morejears than it was necessary to count of a perfectly consistent nature.

In years 1888 and IBM tt wubo ox iromons. Mr. Betoond moved an amendment to thAddw I.i Hrr?" arcour, and in- the tolWsthat TmetSg? ggffi ernment would be bZSSZZS not be a Home Bale measureTthattt an advance in tha airtJTZi would be and. that it would, be of a ntP of Home Rule whin ihTSrXJ? ThfTlMt nattoie with a forthm- iM.ri?:iuwiul hay. heen nous.

seyTifflstraa Lord CSKWB- cause he could not eoneeive of amTissibhi i il PlSmS. pwosedv tsa.oz tns mil rii i j. so weU used irid smnuate ik -111 wnnril 'tt a GALLANT ATTACK OIF A BOBBER STRONGHOLD. Beater's Agency has received news of fighting between British aXd natives to the west of Lake Chad, in which he British casualties were two officers wounded, eleven men killed, and 40 wounded. The fighting took place in December, but owing to the.

remoteness of the region this is the first news that has reached England. The operations were directed against the Tibuks, a collection of Tobber bands and fugitives from justice, who held a strong position in the province of Bornu and continually menaced main caravan road. Expedi tions Had been sent against them before, but withont success, and they continued to terrorise the whole neighbourhood. 5" A A A If I i- KuHafi i NORTHERN It having been decided fin all to subdue the Tibuks, a coronanv of infantry from Maifoni, under Lieutenant Chaytor, a com pany or mounted mtantry from AJumjiri under Lieutenant Chapman, and a detach ment of infantry from Womde under Lieu tenant lhompson, together with Captain Booth as political officer, were despatched from the above-mentioned posts in the province. After five days' march the- force reached the Tibuk headquarters, having traversed a zone of twenty miles which had been devastated by their raids.

The Tibuk stronghold was about three miles in circumference, and consisted of a collection of great rocks ptiled one on the th K11(Wlv from riain anA separately. The whole business was very try- days' operations tho stronghold was 1 cIearod, the enemy's casualties being re- i -1 lw ann Chavtor and nnrA 3011. Lieutenants Chavtor and Thompson were both wounded, the rank and fte ioat eleven killed and forty wounded, Most of the force were hit by arrows. At the close of the operations a company of tro0pS was left to patrol the country round. BELGIUM AND THE CONGO.

KING AND CABINET AT VARIANCE According to the Brussels journal Le ci si kaiwoon i ir comply u.6'" loneer able to direct the affairs of the and the President of the Chamber tATidflr his resicna- Tho crisis, auus xjv ouw, next month. HEXHAM ELECTION. MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER. Mr. Holt, the Liberal candidate in the -cr wwtinn.

last menL reoeiveu wie following telegram from the Prime Minister: Best wishes for great success. Trust Aiinerais nvhm will snow ui ear aewnuumwuu vindicate the authority of representatives of the people and help us to carry out our programme of land and social foo. THE BENWELL COLLIERY EXPLOSION. rru. inairm which occurred in the South Benwell" Colliery, Newcastle, on Tuesday night aused four deaths.

There were oniy iouju -u tl-iA time, the dav men ana iaas iu -shift having been drawn up an hour before The names of the killed are-Riohard Kirk (5t), Archibald Kobson (53), both of whom were married, George Johnson (16), and another youth named Connelly. A large crowd remained at the pit head all night in a pitiless rain. It was not ascertained until four o'clock yester- day morning tnai killed, though no Hopes were finding them alive. Kesoue pu difficult to penetrate into xne foul air and Mr. J.

B. Atkinson, the dis-teict inspected of mines, took with him a canary with theobject of detecting the presence of gas. irm W. H. Smith and Son (says the Cen tral News) have arranged for the renewal of their bookstall and advertising contract upon the Midland Railway Company's system for a further period ot ten years, mis imoortant bookstall contract which has come for renewal since the bookstalls upon the Tjon nd North-Western and Great Western laTltays were Snsf erred from Messrs.

Smith and Son. Mails fob Nkw Zkalakd. The Post-office announce that the regular steamship service between New Zealand and San hv" inz been suspended no mails Wl Be from the United Kingdom to New Tland by that route until further notice. ffiSK'SL Zealand will be despatched from xaa every JTriday evening tor oonTeyanee by way oi ouez. Isotsg a CEwmaL-At the Maxlboxough-street Police Court.

London, yesfedajr the driver of a cart was fined 40. andeosia, or in j. it ot imrixlsonmarit. far lftShTTrr ont 5rti -with snen force Fte tojblood team Msace. Iber man -was ease -wmi -M-ntMO TTninn cm.

'the OZOUIld SitassauRa otf chauffenrafe-wete bironriny I NIGERIA Vn outh! I l-ogot .1 800 MINISTRY AND CHINESE LABOUR. A STATEMENT TO-DAY. Renter's Pretoria correspondent telegraphed yesterday: The majority of members of the new Parliament have arrived in Pretoria in readiness for to-morrow's opening ceremony, in which the greatest interest is manifested. General Botha will make a statement in Parliament to-morrow indicating the Government's labour policy. A Commission will probably be nominated immediately, and will afterwards investigate the whole question and present its report when the House reassembles in June.

The Commission will not be a Select Committee of the House. At a conference of commercial bodies of Johannesburg and Genniston to-day a resolution was passed urging that the pronouncement to be made by the Ministry shall be to the effect that Chinese labour shall not bo disturbed until an adequate supply of unskilled labourers is assured. At the annual meeting of the Rand Mines held at Johannesburg. Mr. Louis Reyersbaeh, presiding, wished the Ministry every success in the arduous task they had undertaken, hoped that prosperity would return to the country, and that the mining industry would find the support necessary to enaue it to expand and develop.

Dealing with the labour question, he said that General Botha's statement of the Government's intention immediately to institute an exhaustive inquiry into the whole question was heartily welcomed by all parties, as when it was completed it would finally settle the Transvaal labour question. peamng or tno relative values of white and coolie labour, he said that where the wages were highest the efficiency of labour was lowest. In contrast to the inefficiency of the ski ilea whites there was a marked improvement in the efficiency of coloured labourers. The average monthly wages on the Rand were: Skilled whites, 29. 19s.

unskilled whites, 10. 6s. Kaffirs, 3 9s. Id. Chinese, 3.

7s. fid. THE SPEAKERSHIP. In a later message from Pretoria Reuter's correspondent says: The Ministerial caucus has nominated General Beyers for the Speakership of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Stockenstroom for the Chairmanship, and Mr.

Rooth as Chief Government Whip and Mr. Goldmann as Assistant Whip. The Progressives will probably contest the Speakership. SIR R. SOLOMON TO ACCOMPANY GENERAL BOTHA.

Sir Richard Solomon will accompany General Botha to England. The Premier will stop at Bloemfontein on the 25th inst. on his way in order to meet prominent men of the Orange River Colony and discuss with them political matters in which both States are concerned. SIR P. FITZPATRICK'S SEAT.

A section of the Het Volk party contemplates challenging Sir Percy Fitzpatrick's election to the Legislative Assembly for Pretoria on the ground of alleged malpractices. THE WHITE LABOUR EXPERIMENT. Eight mines in the Randfontein district belonging to the Robinson group will shortly begin to be opened up. Workmen's quarters are being erected, and 100 whites have already been engaged. In order to facilitate operations it is proposed to amalgamate the Mynpacht, Randfontein West, Randfontein, and Block A Randfontein, with a capital of 1,250,000.

The area oomprises 475 claims. INDIANS IN THE TRANSVAAL. A DEPUTATION TO MR. SMUTS. Reuter's Pretoria correspondent telegraphed yesterday: A deputation from the National Asiatic Convention waited upon Mr.

Smuts, the Colonial Secretary, yesterday in order to urge the necessity for the re-enactment of the Asiatic Ordinance disallowed by Lord Elgin on the representation of the deputation of Iransvaal Indians who recently visited England. The Ordinance is again published in the Gazette this morniug, this fact indicating tnat it will be brought before Parliament during its first session. The National Asiatic Convention is a body whicli is opposed to the immigration of Asiatics into the Transvaal. The Ordinance referred to was introduced in substitution for that which was enacted in 1885 under the Krucer The Indians maintained that the new restrictions which it imposed, and especially those relating to compulsory registration of Asiatics and the powers given to resident magistrates, rendered the position of Indians in the Transvaal much more humiliating than the old Ordinance. On the other hand, the partisans of the new Ordinance contend that existing law is quite inadequate to control Asiatic immigration, which is going on to a large extent.

They further affirm that the new Ordinance would result in a permanent and substantial improvement in the position of resident Asiatics and would secure the object they have at heart, to make the Transvaal the home of a strong European nation. The draft Ordinance which Lord Elgin refused to sanction provided for the compulsory registration of all male Indians over 16 years of age. To secure identification an impress of the finger-tips was required. It was within the power of any resident magistrate to order the expulsion of any Asiatic who in his opinion had not satisfactorily proved his identity. From such a decision there was no right of appeal.

FEELING IN LONDON. Reuter's Agency learns that the indication that one of the first acts of the new Transvaal Parliament will be to re-enact the Asiatic Ordinance recently disallowed by Lord Elgin has aroused considerable interest in political quarters. Mr. A. H.

Scott, M.P., who has been an active supporter of the Indian attitude on the "trr, in an interview, said that the action of the Transvaal, though regrettable, was not altogether surprising. Before making any state? ment he would like to consult his colleagues in the House. In all probability a meeting of the liberal and Labour members interested in that matter would be called. Gilbert. Parker, M.P., who represents the colonists Vie of the question, said: "Though! my interest in ibis question of the BritisH Indians is keen, I have taken np, very, active steps, as Xknew that immediately the Transvaal obtained self -government it would xe-enaot the Ordinance.

If, as I am sure ft wflLtte Transvaal Parliament re-enacts the Ordinance, ''06 Imperial Government rwfll hardly venture to disallow it'lthi, over 69 out of every 00 whites in South Afrle fiuopughly spproya ofttT- YV' 'the' British Transvaal Indiana Ctnnnttee will summon a. uneiSal mieithr of the Coinstttee -eoer4eesry. steps' oe talen. OVER SEVENTY ARRESTED AT WESTMINSTER. THE PATIENT POLICE.

(FROM A WOMAN SPECTATOB.) London, Wednesday. It must have been comforting to the Londoner and the Londoner was at Westminster in his and her hundreds this afternoon to discover how well he is guarded. It is difficult- to believe that there could be any more policemen in London than were drawn np in serried ranks all round the House to-day. From early in the afternoon they were there-rows and rows of them, punctuated with inspectors. Every gate into Palace Yard was filled with a solid phalanx I counted eight at one small entrance, and felt that Horatius lived a very long time ago.

The kerb presented one long unbroken rank of (gallant constables stretching on both sides of the road from Westminster Bridge to Henry VII. 's Chapel. Re-inforoements lurked in Palace Yard, Dean's Yard, and on the green near St. Margaret's Church. The attentions of both public and police were divided between Caxton Hall and the House.

Expecting a repetition of what happened on February 13, most of the idle spectators hung about Palace Yard from three o'clock onwards, regarded with suspicion if they were women, merely told to move on if they were men. It was all very good-natured and very absurd. A fire engine dashed past, going westwards. "The hosel They've sent for the hose to disperse the meeting 1" ran round the expectant crowd; and many people went off to Caxton Hall, to find peaceable deliberations continuing within, and outside another maBsed force of constabulary. The fire engine seemed really to have been wanted for a genuine fire.

Another diversion followed when a brake containing twenty ruddy-faced, innocent-looking country girla drove up to the Abbey. They had driven all along the Orosvenor Road from Vauxhall, listening, open-mouthed, to the kindly and explanatory remarks of the driver concerning the Tate Gallery, the Salvation Army shelter, and so on. They dismissed the brake at the Poets' Comer, went inside and enjoyed their last few moments of freedom among the tombs of the mighty dead. Ten minutes later for it was a mse their very reasonable request, backed with somo insistence, to see their respective members was denied them at the door of the House, and sixteen of them were being marched off to Scotland Yard. A fresh body of police came across from Scot land Yard as soon as news was received there of the capture of the sixteen, and these were loudly "booed." Their position was not an enviable one.

Evidently under orders to keep their temper and handle the women gently, they were reduced to such feeble admonitions as "Now, don't be fool'shl" and it was diffi cult to remain dignified under the circum stances. The densely packed Horatii at the gain her more favour than that, however, and, after an interview with Mr. Philip Snowden, iu uuiuuig iu.o resolution oeing rejected, as it was said to be unofficially drawn up Lady Harberton emerged just in time to see the rest of the deputation being arrested by twos and threes. One felt that it was kind to give the policemen something to do, as they had been waiting there so many hours and had endured so much from a mob rich in a sense of humour: but as the massed forces round Caxton Hall had already done their work of dispersal when the people came out of the meeting, and as at the first hint of approaching women fresh police emereed from Palaoe Vnni and kept all the approaches to the House by mere lorce of numbers, there was not much chance of active service for any of them. By six o'clock about forty women had been arrested for trying to get past the ranks of constabulary and approach iL.e doors of the House.

Things have certainly changed since February 13. Scotland Yard has learnt something of street ngbting since then, and the enemy's tactics made it impossible to-day for the women to re-form after their procession had been broken up. A gentle toleration has also taken the place of the clumsy, tactless, and in some cases brutal behaviour of the men to their cap tives wnicn was so noticeable on the former occasion. The absence of mounted police robbed to day's demonstration of any appearance of violence, and it was evident that the men really felt as lenient towards the women they had to arrest as they had been told to be. I saw one of them actually listening with interest to the representations made to him bv the lady he was taking off to the police station, ana coma not help recalling a recent rumour to the effect that the force ha- subscribed to the funds of the W.S.P.TJ.

Most striking of all was the sympathy the crowd. It was there on February 13, though unexpressed. Today it was open and unashamed. Perhaps the pale sunshine of early spring made it seem particularly unkind to condemn women to a sunless period of imprisonment merely for wanting to be recognised as citiaens perhaDs the suffragists' educative methods are beginning to leu ai last, in any case, the crowd was interested this afternoon, and, like the policemen i i a iiuxo asuamea, sua tneir cneers were real cheers, not derisive ones. Later in the evening there was more disturbance.

The women came in twos and threes, not in the form of a procession, and were kept moving. They made occasional rushes for tho House but quite without avail. There was a very large mixed crowd, and at last some mounted police were called out At the end of the evening TO women and two men had been arrested. SOME OF THE ARRESTED. Among the arrested were: Miss Schofield (Boehdale), Miss Burrows (Preston), Miss Wood-look (Liverpool), Miss Boberta (Liverpool, Miss Armstrong (Preston), Miss Hopson (Hudders-field), Mrs.

Jackson (Preston), Mrs. Pogson (Huddersneld), Miss Chatterton (Manchester), Miss La con (Birmingham), Mrs. Barrett (Bradford), Miss Varley (Bradford), Mrs. Hollawell (Huddersneld), Miss Milne (Manchester), Miss Ssltonstall (Halifax), Mrs. Higgina (Sheffield), Mrs.

Connelly (Halifax), Mr. Draper (Halifax), Mrs. Morrissey (Liverpool), Miss Brooks (Hud-aersfield), Mrs. Ford (Bolton), Mrs. Willsan (Halifax), Mrs.

Price (Wolverhampton), Mrs. Lockwood (Sheffield), Miss Lilian Cobbe (Heb-den Bridge), Miss lassie Berkley (Hebden Bridge), Miss Marsden (Manchester), Kiss King Townsend (Bradford), Miss- Scawthorne (Hud- dersfleld) Mrs. Mitchell (Manchester), Miss Axxoti (Merthyr Tydvil), Miss Spxosen (Wol verhampton), Mrs. Bawle (Manchester), Miss libra TAjX SaiBh Benett (Burslem), 'Xio. Atkinson (NWcatle-on-Tyne, affairs.

Utterly bewildered by those strange ficpgrsphical subtleties, Lord Londonderry made Lord Denbigh's speech over again and igh's speech over again and yet louder tones, and defied the Govern- ment to say whether Mr. Redmond would bo satisfied or dissatisfied with their proposals. Not beinp; a thought-reader, the Lord Chan- cellor, who is as blunt with tno Lords as Sir H. Canipbell-Bnniicrman is with tho Com-; mons, refrained from prying into the secrets Mr. Redmond's mind, but, on the other hand, favoured the House with a piece of his nwn.

Avowing himself to be, like the Prinio! Minister, "a Homo Ruler sans phrase," he! asserted his conviction that you could not! touch the question of Irish government in HIV Wav. even hv rmwlnn mthnnt ndv.me- ir. the cause Rule. "Bo assured, King Leopold and his Government with lords," he added, turning to tho petrified gard to the Congo. The KJing, says Le Soir," Opptvition and addressing them with tho js extremelv irritated at the attitude adopted fervour or a prophet, you are fighting against towardg hm by certain members of the Tbnrra rThirh T' Colonial Committee, which he resents very Micro are groat human elements working for ulu Hniiie Rule.

it nmincr much. The Cabinet considers that it is no to-morrow's sun will rise." The pro- found earnestness of this as of somo similar 1 Trapes stirred the handful of Lioeral peers' to unwonted enthusiasm, and, moreover, pro-jls. uvd a deep and visible impression even onjt'O11' i I ii (IT- C7: will The women resorted to all kinds of provocative devices in their anxiety to distinguish them selves, but the police simply prevented anything like a combined demonstration. The more truculent women were led away to give them an opportunity to get the better of their excitement. In groups the agitators passed through the lines of onlookers towards the Houses of Parliament, which were unapproachable owing to the elaborate police arrangements made.

An exception, however, was made in the case of Lady Harberton, who, on presenting her oard, was allowed to pass into St. Stephen's Hall, where she asked for the Premier. Sir Henry was actually engaged at the moment in debate within the House. Lady Harberton saw Mr. Snowden, M.P., but, finding that her viBit was not likely to have any immediate result, she left quietly after expressing to the Press Association representative her regret that the Lancashire lasses and other delegates had not been allowed to accompany her.

To Lady Harberton's request for an interview the Premier sent the reply that he was too busy to see her. Meanwhile the police, with commendable patience, dealt with the disorder outside. To one woman who held on to a policeman's whistle chain and pleaded to be arrested, the officer said, "No madam. I am not to gratify you." Stimulated by the oxhortations of Miss Kenney, who was warned by the polioe to desist, the conduct of some of the agitators became so riotous that eventually some thirty arrests were in addition to those made earlier in the evening. MOUNTED POLICE AT LAST.

In a later message the Press Association says At the conclusion of the evening meeting in Caxton Hall the women left with the intention of again endeavouring to force their way into the House. The same tactics were followed, and, so far as achieving their object was concerned, they met with the same failure. The attempt to form a procession was frustrated at the very outset. The women, however, in bands of twos and threes, made their way via Victoria- street to the vicinity of the House. Here thousands of people were congregated in anticipation of further trouble.

Nor were they disappointed. The women made a most determined onset against the cordon of police, who, shoulder to shoulder, completely blocked every entrance to Parliament Square. So exasperating were some of the would-be raiders that further arrests became inevitable, and between nine ana ten ciocic ten more women were taken to the polioe station. A few of the women then changed the point of attack to Downing-street, whither they rushed, to be quiokly followed by the vigilant officers. At ten o'clock mounted police, who had been conspicuous by their absence during the raids, were requisitioned to clear the thoroughfares around St.

Stephen's, and this they speedily did. Mr. Pethick Lawrence and Mrs. Edith How Mattyn were at the police station until 10 30 bailing out the prisoners, and at that time the number of arrests had been brought up to seventy-six. During the first disturbance Mr.

Herbert Gladstone, the Home Secretary, witnessed the proceedings from inside Palace Yard. THE ANTI-SUFFRAGE PETITION. A petition by women against the granting of the suffrage to women was presented to the House of Commons by Mr. S. T.

Evans on March 8, before the debate on Mr. Dickinson's bill. Appended to is were 21,200 signatures. This afternoon Dr. Massie will present an additional list of over 16,000 signatures.

BARROW HEMATITE STEEL, DUKE OF DEVONSBXBE'S SPEECH. The annual meeting of the Barrow Hematite Steel Company was held yesterday in London. The Dake of Devonshire (chairman) said that the accounts showed a considerable improvement upon the previous year. Though pig iron prices were still at a somewhat high level, what really interested the shareholders was the margin of profit, and as the price of both ore and coke had greatly increased this was a subject which had given and was giving the directors a good deal of concern. The installation of gas engines in connection with their hlast furnaces with the object of obtaining cheap motive power for the steel works -was decided upon by the Board after a careful pratfioal inquiry by their general manager, who was satisfied with the complete efficiency of those gas engines and the extensive development of their use in both Germany and- Belgium.

As the lessening of their fuel consumption, considering their distance from the romtidj was one of much imnortance. the directors had a great inducement to adopt the system. They hoped the phut would be at work soms fifteen months from now. Diligent search foe. era was being continued both in the Barrow dis trict and in Cumberland, but up to the present nouung ot any importance nad Desn aiacoverea.

The Company, had, entered mto a conditional- contract for acoumng an interest In a. mine in Alimrim (VmeaUtJIlaVa fair amount of work in harrbutbrpiut at the moment were not coming, at iwnnjtf report was adopted. "li? stolid m.iioritv Vnr tli -root T.ni-rl 1 V-IV ChanccHor proved as discreet as Lord Crewe fonceriiing tho contents of the coming bill. AH that lie would say was that it was not gemp; to be a Homo Rule Bill," though, howler mild and tentative it might be, he obviously feared that it would still fail to rtraw question out of what he sorrowing, called "the pestilent circle of party politics. As if to confirm this apprehension, Mrd Lansdowno hasteucd to point the party moral of Lord Eoreburn's dignified and outspoken utterancea task, however, in whicli ir Ar.tony MacDonnell's friend and former i seemed to frel slightlv hampered by occasional pointed reminders "of His own ex-pfnments in the sphere of devolution.

And the debate ended, though by and by, no 'loubt. strict accordance with tho Jeddart tradition, the condemned bill will be given 'lie Lustomarv trial. Meanwhile" the other House, serenely "tmvious to iho Amazonian siege now in progress around its outor waUs, was debating propost-d rules of procedure, dv tr.e Prime Minister's phrase, "to S-to hfo, vijjour, and freedom to our work a decree that wo have never yet been able realise. Perhaps the most unexpected eontrioution to the discussion was Mr. Austen yambrrlain-s statement that the House had 'Ple lime to do its business under existing arrangements an assertion so notoriously contradiction to experience that it had to bo made to be laughed at.

While oeral and Labour members on the whole Pvo a cordial welcome to the suggested nwltiphcatinn of the Grand Committee Mr. Rlmond, with inflexible con-'-tency, declined to admit that the new -Heme would effect its obiect. Tha onlv r-j intended and tnough oftr 'epeated the argument has trtnin1rlAn "equently justified by the necessity for suc-ssive overbadings of the legislative uiu rje a system or decentralisa- which would relieve Parliament, from Ting to do the work of five legislative "ssembhes. Holding those views, Mr. Redmond made it clear that when members begin dividn nn lt I- 3ail he and his friends will play the part THE SITUATION IN PERSIA.

Reuters correspondent at Teheran says there is no truth in the report that Indian koops have been landed in Poa. The people who took refuge in the British Con-latw at Ispahan have now left. Troubles arising out of a disputed Parliamentary eko-non occurred at KrpT.Ji, hut Vkvm nam ttoban 0118 person iras "dis" I tmmr rm. frequent..