Page:The case for women's suffrage.djvu/49

 similar tactics on the part of Women Suffragists. The assassination of an enemy of popular liberty in Russia seems to Liberal politicians much more innocent than what is termed a "raid" on the House of Commons, or the "heckling" of a British Cabinet Minister at a public meeting. Already 150 women have suffered imprisonment for the part they have taken in the movement.

Another way of bringing pressure to bear on the Government is by opposing and securing the defeat of their nominee at the by-elections. If it can be proved to the Government "that their refusal to grant Women's Suffrage is destroying their popularity in the country they will be obliged in self defence to deal with the question." Not even the strongest Government can afford to ignore the displeasure of the electors as evinced at by-elections. There is no more effective way of forcing the hands of the Government than that of working to defeat their candidates.

Members of the Liberal Party hotly resent this by-election policy, and that in itself is an excellent sign.

The Liberals know that already the work of the Women's Social and Political Union is injuring the Government, and they recognise that the new political force will in time become still more dangerous. Of course, the usual Liberal cries of "Tory gold," and "in league with the Tories" are heard. Liberals always make such insinuations against those who wish them to move faster than they are disposed to move.

Not very long ago the Labour Party was charged