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Show WOMAN SUFFRAGISTS GAINING I GROUND IN HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON. Fob. 28. Tho woman's en- frandiisoinont bill passed ils first reading read-ing in tho House of Commons this afternoon after-noon by a voto of 271 to 92, nnd ns soon as tho news reached West minster palace, pal-ace, tho waiting crowds of excited women wom-en suffragists who had assembled there broke into round after round of chccrB. Tho measure, which was introduced by Ilonry Yorkc Slunger, Liberal member for Isorth Kensington, in identical with the bill of W. 13. Dickinson, member i of Iho House for the North division of St. Pancras, which was defeated March 3. 1907. Herbert Gladstone, the home secretary! secre-tary! spokfl in behalf of the government and said ho left the decision of the House to the views of ils individual members. He declares that personally he favored Iho principles of Ihc bill, but ho thought that, the great public opinion would have to be moved before any effect could bo given to it. Undoubtedly, Un-doubtedly, Mr. Gladstone, continued, there has been a groat, and growing movoment in favor of granting sufl'rago to Avomcn. but. it still lacks numbers and it has not boon demonstrated that women, wom-en, as a whole, desire to secure the privilege of voting. Party lines were completely ignored in the voting. ' j s Great crowds of women awaited the result in the vicinity of tho House ol' 1 Commons and a strong detachment, of politic, mounted and on foot, had been I brought up to guard against possible disturbance. Beyond cheering tho known supporters of the women's move-mont, move-mont, however, there was little- demonstration demon-stration and the women soon dispersed to attend congra tula ton meetings where their future course of actioli was discussed. i |