Impression
sketch of Mrs Pankhurst Addressing a rally - by Jamie.
'Women and War
Service,' was the theme
Of two speakers,
who shared a platform
In the Pavilion
of Piccadilly Circus, London -
The Afternoon of
the 1 July saw two women
Address the
public in the crowded space.
Mrs Pankhurst
followed Madame Clara Butt
Whose brief
speech declared her modesty -
Yet those few
words made their impact.
Her words laid
claim, to days being over
When women would
weep as men worked.
Making an impact
from the speeches outset,
Madam Butt sang
the national anthem with
Piano
accompaniment of Sir Frederic Cowen.
Going on to
declare courage and bravery
Were not unique
to men, but equal to women.
Then the prime
oration was Mrs Pankhurst,
Into her mission
- seen as a controversialist,
Her skills for
this had made her a platform
Speaker, of a
temperament that was sensitive,
Which she became
attuned into that moment.
When taking on
issues of patriotic fervour,
Mrs Pankhurst
proved her worth - to preach
That the
individual's duty is to leave all to serve
The State in its
hour of need - such was mood
Of Mrs Pankhurst
on that first July afternoon.
The verdict
lifted her ability to touch all there -
Anyone not moved
would be stone hearted,
Not to react to
the powerful words on women-
Who should aim her
talents, services and
Abilities at the British
Government's disposal.
Mrs Pankhurst's
address stated the privilege
Of women to
rescue the state, with regards
To manufacturing
ammunitions - her words
Could hardly
express the welcome that
After months had
came a National Register.
This record for
War Service was to include
Women in fight -
for Germany was a nation
Fully organized
for war - how from the war's
Start services
given by women were taken
Into account, as
were women in Germany.
Figures quoted
showed how Germany's
Women did tasks;
75% in the manufacture
Of uniforms 70%
in provisions and tobacco
50% in war
equipment 40% in munitions -
33% in drug
making and 20% for war glass.
With 15% in
surgical manufacture with
Same in leather
goods - Mrs Pankhurst's
belief was if
British women took practical
works
overwhelming numbers of their men
would be
released; in hint to go to the front.
ii
Loydd George, the
Minister of Munitions,
Was to receive a
deputation of women
On 17 July - who
would show an eagerness
To serve by
munitions-making - with cheers
To this Mrs
Pankhurst told of another plan.
Women's Social
and Political Union, up to
That date, was to
arrange a rally of all
Women forming a
procession, showing their
Will to do
everything the minister wished,
In order to
supply munitions to the frontline.
An additional
effect would be to show all
Country men their
equality in patriotism -
As women had
already shown, having taken
Many tasks on
from war's start, the call
Of sacrifice
ruled out profit or higher wages.
This procession
of women would show
An object lesson,
against those who might
Think of profits
and petty union regulations -
All to be swept
aside when the Empire's
Fate in a national emergency, was at
stake.
The Pankhurst
oration focused on usage
Of the National
Register in order to organise
Equally well as
Germany, with right to serve
And if necessary,
die for the country - all
Changes would
show the British race's ability.
iii
With an
illustration of what might be achieved
Mrs Pankhurst
told of her recent French visit,
By permission of
the French Munitions Minister
To visit a
motorcar factory where women made
Fuses and shells
so large, two had to lift them.
Fine mechanisms
were being made by female
Fingers - more
suited than men's, was said -
With such detail
given by men was no feminine
Bias - such success
had been freed from some
Initial
opposition that came from men's unions.
In devotion to
the work the women set good
Examples to the
men - and how a preference
Was given to soldiers
wives, who earned
In addition to
allowances - after three weeks
Training, wages
were raised to 10 francs daily.
Furthermore Mrs
Pankhurst was informed
How the men take
to the infirmary more than
Women - being
prone to faint on operations
Quite small - yet
the factory conditions being
A good standard
the infirmary was little used.
iV
In drawing to her
closing words Mrs Pankhurst
Called to women
of all classes for assistance
To make the
procession succeed - in answer
The random cry
out of 'Why not the vote first?'
Her answer to the
lady was being in a minority.
Her belief was
that the majority that had been
Suffragists could
now see the country in peril -
Knowing why they
wanted the vote, would be
Ready to work in
keeping the liberties already
won, or face
becoming a province of Germany.
In still seeking the
vote in order to serve their
Country, that
after the war is won they might
Gain new liberty
for future civilization - all met
With varying
cheers and laughter as Madame
Butt stated bravery and courage as sexless.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Women and War - Devotion to Service
- Mrs Pankhurst's Call - Opportunities for All. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 2 July. P.10.
Col.4. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11708869/Daily-Telegraph-July-2-1915.html
[Accessed: 2 July 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication,2 July 2015).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11708869/Daily-Telegraph-July-2-1915.html
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