Almost while the bomb was exploding, Mr. McKenna in the
House of Commons was defending the measures taken by the Government for dealing with the militants. The most important point in his speech was the announcement of further action in the way of proceeding both civilly and criminally against subscribers to the funds of the militant organization. After condemning the militants' gross rudeness to the King, and pointing out that the Sovereign in the matter of receiving petitions acted on the advice of the Home Secretary, and that his refusal to receive a deputation was not his personal act but the act of his Minister, Mr. McKenna discussed the various suggestions made for repressing the militants. These had been: (1) Let them starve if they will; (2) Deport them ; (3) Treat them as lunatics. Wisely, as we think, Mr. McKenna pointed out that to let them starve themselves to death was not a possible , policy. Not only would the prison doctors refuse to stand by and see a woman starve herself to death when it could be prevented, but he himself would never take a hand in carrying out such a policy. There is the difficulty. It is all very well for irresponsible people to say, "Let them starve." Aa a matter of fact, these very people, if they themselves had to deal with a hysterical woman fanatic, would not pursue that course.
