Circular letter to members of the WSPU

Typed circular letter dated February 1st 1912 signed Anna K Macleod. The letter requests membersof the WSPU, who feel that the 'retirement' of Fred and Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence is an 'irreparable loss to the Union sign a petition in their support . The letter also notes 'We wish to present the petition to Mrs Pankhurst at the eariest possible date, by an influential deputation' and that not one valid reason has been given to the members of the Union regarding the split between the Pankhursts and Fred and Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence . The petition is 'in no sense to cause trouble or annoyance to the Pankhursts' but the writer feels the union is 'terribly weakened by this heartbreaking split, at a time when all its strength is needed.'
The letter refers to the split in the WSPU over militant tactics.This resulted in Christabel and Emmeline Pankhurst establishing new headquarters for the WSPU at Lincoln's Inn whilst Emmeline & Fred Pethick-Lawrence continued the publication of Votes for Women from Clement's Inn.