THE BABY SUFFRAGETTE
Huddersfield Girl’s Release.
A CHASTENED MARTYR.
Miss Dora Thewlis, the 16-year-old lass from Huddersfield, yesterday made her second appearance before Mr. Horace Smith at the Westminster Police Court. She was arrested during the disturbances outside the Houses of Parliament, and when charged on the following morning with disorderly conduct, Mr. Horace Smith expressed surprise at seeing so youthful an offender before him on such a charge, and passed some severe comment upon those whom he considered responsible for bringing her to London. He offered to discharge her if she would go home, but she indignantly refused and was thereupon remanded until yesterday, Mr. Smith intimating his intention of communicating with her relatives. Since that time Miss Thewlis has been under remand in Holloway Gaol. Her case has aroused considerable interest and the cognomen “The Baby Suffragette” has been generally applied to her. Her parents, when communicated with upheld their daughter in her action, but whilst in prison she is alleged to have expressed a strong wish to return home. Among the early arrivals in court yesterday, were Mrs. Despard[1], Mrs. How Martyn[2], and Mr. Pethick Lawrence[3].
The prisoner stepped into the dock wearing a shawl.
The Magistrate: I understand you are willing to go home?
The Prisoner (eagerly): Yes, sir.
The Magistrate: You wish to go home? — Yes, sir.
The Magistrate: Then I will make arrangements for that to be done immediately.
Prisoner appeared to be quite elated at the decision of the Court, and was led away with a happy smile on her face.
Mrs. Despard and Mrs. How Martyn, secretary of the Women’s Social and Political Union, attended the court fully an hour before the opening, with a view to obtaining an interview with Miss Thewlis. They were doomed to disappointment, however, and in the words of Mrs. Martyn, “Received the usual courtesy that women receive from the authorities.” Even after the case had been disposed of they were unsuccessful.
The following letter was then sent by these two ladies to Mr. Horace Smith:—
No reply was received from Mr. Smith to this.
The arrangements for the return of Miss Thewlis have been placed in the hands of Mr. Barnett, the Court missionary.
THE PARENTS AND THE MAGISTRATE
The following letter has been sent to Mr. Horace Smith, the Westminster magistrate, by Mr. and Mrs. Thewlis:—