Shortly after this exchange, The Newcastle Daily Journal published a brief story
proclaiming that militant British suffragettes were not welcome in Canada:
September 4, 1912, Newcastle Daily Journal news story: “MILITANT
SUFFRAGETTES: Stern Hint from Canada”
It is stated in Ottawa that a warm reception awaits any militant British suffragette
who goes over to Canada. The Dominion immigration officials have conferred on
the subject, and have decided to deport all militant suffragettes as undesirable
aliens if they attempt to make any demonstrations in Canada. This rule will apply
only to the violent sort of suffragists, as the Canadian authorities do not propose
to allow windows to be broken and Ministers assaulted.
Emily Davison challenged the negative cast of this story, turning it into an assertion of
Canadian far-sightedness and suffrage victory:
September 7, 1912, to the Editor of The Newcastle Daily Journal
“Canada and Militant Suffragettes”
Sir, –In your issue of September 4th there is a small paragraph headed ‘Militant
Suffragettes,’ in which you state that ‘the Dominion immigration officials have
decided to deport all militant suffragettes as undesirable aliens if they attempt
to demonstrate in Canada,’ the object being, as your further declare, to prevent
windows being broken and ministers assaulted. These precautions are no doubt
due to the very harmless little reminder which Miss Barrett18 gave Mr. Borden,
that if he in Canada takes up the absurd attitude of the present Government
here towards this question, he will probably find that Canadian women will
not stand any nonsense. Your report looks as if the Canadian authorities are
doing precisely what the W.S.P.U. hoped they would do, i.e., taking stock of the
situation, and that they evidently want to take the bull by the horns in good time.
Will you allow me to suggest that the most effective way would be to avoid
infuriating the bull, and to promptly get the nine various Legislatures to bring in a
measure giving votes for women? By doing so they would accomplish many
desirable things:–
(a) Show themselves to be as progressive as parts of the Empire as New
Zealand or Australia
(b) Encourage women immigrants, of whom at present they stand in great
need.
(c) Avoid the foolish mistake of the old country in seeking to repress what
is inevitable by terrorism and oppression.
The woman suffrage cause is now hydra-headed.
EMILY WILDING DAVISON
6th September, 1912
Longhorsley, Northumberland