The Anti-Suffragists’ Manifesto: In view of the question of woman suffrage being considered by the Electoral Conference, the anti-suffragists have issued a manifesto announcing most strenuous opposition to the extension of political rights to women. They say there is nothing but votes for all women or for none. They declare that: A large number of those who before the war were opposed to female suffrage, whilst fully recognising the very valuable services rendered by women during the present national crisis, are unable to admit that recent circumstances are of a nature to justify any serious modification of the conclusions at which they have previously arrived. …. Among others who have hitherto opposed women’s suffrage, there are no doubt some — represented among the names given below — who are disposed to think that the experience gained during the war has introduced some new elements into the case which will require careful consideration. We may, however, state with the utmost confidence that both sections of opinion are equally convinced that the present Parliament has no moral right to deal with the matter. It has to be remembered that the male electorate has never as yet pronounced any definite opinion upon it, and that as regards women there are a large number who do not wish for the vote, while others go so far as to protest very warmly against the burthen of voting being thrust upon them. The manifesto is signed by 14 women and 19 men: Sarah Boyce, E. M. Burgwin, Beatrice Chamberlain, Flora Fardell, Lily Frere, M. E. Jersey, Margaret H. Macmillan, V. Montrose, Ellen F. Pinsent, Gladys Pott, Catherine E. Robson, Maud Tree, H. S. Wantage, Mary A. Ward; Bryce, Edward Clarke, H. Craik, James Crichton-Browne, Cromer, Curzon, A. V. Dicey, John Gretton, George Hamilton, H. Hensley Henson, Charles Hobhouse, W. W. Jackson, Rudyard Kipling, Loreburn, H. J. Mackinder, John Massie, Edward A. Mitchell Innes, John Murray, Weardale: Reply of Men Suffragists: A. number of men, who demand votes for women, reply to the Anti-suffragists’ manifesto as follows: We have always recognised that there were serious objections to raising controversial questions during the war. At the same time, if the franchise of this country is to be remodelled on new principles, and a large number of male voters introduced who are not qualified under the existing laws, actually or potentially, we feel that it would be a very grave injustice to women that their case should not be considered at the same time. There must not be a repetition of what has too frequently occurred in the past — namely, the application of a rule which enables the electoral interests of men to be considered while those of women are disregarded. Robert Cecil, Selborne, Arthur Henderson, F. D. Acland, Lytton, A. F. London, J. Hereford, J. R. Roffen, Cowdray, C. N. Nicholson, J. R. Clynes, Leif Jones, C. Oxon, Willoughby de Broke, Ferrer, James Yoxall, J. T. Agg-Gardner, T. Wing, J. Owen Jacobsen, J. H. Thomas, F. Bennett Goldney, H. Bentinck, J. King, Philip Snowden, Ernest Craig, J. Lichfield, E. Lincoln, J. Kensington, Courtney of Penwith, L. Worthington Evans, T. G. Tickler, W. C. Anderson, J. M. Hogge, Edward Goulding, F. Leverton Harris, Francis McLaren, Norval Helme, A. H. Marshall, E. T. John, Swire Smith, Arthur Sherwell, Rowland E. Prothero, A. W. Barton, C. E. Price, J. O’Grady.
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949