Cook's Army

Progress of "Emperor" A. J. Cook's "army" of 400 unemployed miners, marching from Newport, Wales, to London (TIME, Nov. 21):

Came the army to Swindon, footsore & weary. No luring damsels could entice the younger men away for a frolic; no Labor hosts could tempt the elders to a reception. Instead, the army lay on its back and practised the songs that it would sing passing through London. One, called the "Rebel Song," went:

Come, workers, sing a rebel song, A song of love and hate; Of love unto the lowly And of hatred to the great, The great who trod our fathers down, Who steal our children's bread, Whose hand of greed is stretched to rob The living and the dead.

Came the army to Hungerford. On the outskirts of that town a red cavalcade was seen approaching. The King's troops? Or friendly "Bolshies?" Whether to scatter or march proudly on? Closer and closer came the horsemen. Ah, there were women among them! Evidently a friendly "red" demonstration. The army "snapped into it" and the straggling columns of fours were straightened out, arms swung martially, heads were held proudly up and smiles of anticipation lit the men's faces. Then the whole spectacle was reduced to pathos, for the oncoming horsemen and women were scarlet-coated hunters pursuing a hapless fox.

Came the army to Newbury, where it took shelter for the night under the hospital almshouse roof of the Royal Arms of King John, where the famed Magna Charter was signed in 1215. But so tired were they that they cared not that their abode bore a royal name.

Came the army to Reading, where it encamped in the Grain Exchange building and enjoyed a meal of beef stew, tea and bread. Gorged, they listened to the words their leader, A. J. Cook, was addressing them: "You are marching against Capitalism and Baldwinism, and you 260 [they started 400 strong] men are the advance guard of a revolutionary army. This historic miners' march to London is a tragedy to set the real situation of the country before the British public. It is the duty of the working classes to remove those who are responsible for such a calamity."

Came the army to Windsor, but King George was not in his castle, neither was Queen Mary. But the stately royal pile, begun by William the Conqueror, held them spellbound as they paused to gaze at it. And even after the order to march had been given necks were craned to take just one last look.

Came the army to Slough on the very outskirts of London. Here Labor sympathisers held a picture show lor the weary old "soldiers" of the army, while the local maidens, also Labor, staged a dance for the younger set, sore feet & all.

Came the army to London singing a new version of the U. S. ditty "Bye Bye, Blackbird:"

Pack up all my care and wee Here I go, singing low, Bye, bye, blackbird.

Here in the ancient metropolis of England, A. J. Cook took over the command of his army after its 11-day march from Wales, he having marched only part of two days with them. Anxious London "bobbies" gave them unnecessary protection as they swung through the main streets to the foot of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar square, where a Labor Magna Charta was read. There followed a meeting with Labor M. P.'s.