Many of the suffragettes who used formerly to meet at the Hotel Cecil to celebrate the release from prison of one of their colleagues, met there yesterday for the last time to celebrate their victory, when the Royal Assent was given this week to the Equal Franchise Bill. Mrs. Pethick-Lawrence, president of the Women's Freedom League, presided over the gathering, which included Dame Millicent Fawcett, Mrs. Despard, Mrs. Runciman, M.P., Mr. MacDonald, M.P., Dr. Annie Besant, and Mr. Laurence Housman.
MR. MACDONALD said that the Prime Minister had written to say he regretted he was unable to attend owing to "the burden of public work." Mr. MacDonald said that so far as the great mass of people were concerned the cause of women was won, although victory was not registered, before a single shot was fired in the European War. Speeches were made by Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE, M.P., Mrs. PETHICK-LAWRENCE, VISCOUNTESS RHONDDA, and Mrs. DESPARD.
