IN LONDON, APR 26, POLICE ARRESTED MORE THAN 350 ANTI-NUCLEAR DEMONSTRATORS WHO STAGED A SIT-DOWN PROTEST NEAR THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY, FOLLOWING THE RESUMPTION OF ATOMIC TESTS ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND.

IN WARM AND SUMMERY WEATHER, DEMONSTRATORS CARRYING BANNERS SLOWLY GATHERED IN GROSVENOR SQUARE, WHERE THE EMBASSY STANDS. "AS BAD AS RUSSIA" ONE OF THEIR PLACARDS READ, AND A WOMAN DISPLAYED A NOTICE SAYING "THIS AMERICAN IS DISGUSTED".

AS THEIR NUMBERS INCREASED, THEY STARTED COMPOSING LETTERS ON CAR SEATS AND BONNETS, THEN QUEUED FOR TWO HOURS OUTSIDE THE WELL-GUARDED BUILDING TO HAND IN WRITTEN PROTESTS AGAINST RESUMED TESTING. MANY OF THE LETTERS WERE ADDRESSED TO PRESIDENT KENNEDY PERSONALLY.

WHEN THE SIT-DOWN BY SOME 2,000 PEOPLE BEGAN, POLICE WHO WERE OUT IN FORCE FOLLOWED A WELL-TRIED PLAN. FOR THE FIRST TEN MINUTES THEY MERELY CARRIED THE LIMP SITTERS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FIRST ARRESTS WHERE MADE AFTER A LOUDSPEAKER WARNING TO DEMONSTRATORS TO STAND UP FOR OR BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

WHILE THE CROWED WAVED BANNERS AND CHANTED "BAN THE BOMB" AND "WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED," SMILING GOOD-HUMOURED POLICE LIFTED THE SITTERS INTO VANS AND COACHES. THERE WAS A CHEER FOR ONE CONSTABLE WHO PICKED UP A SMALL ELDERLY WOMAN AND LAID HER DOWN CAREFULLY ON A COACH STEP. DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS TO CLEAR THE SQUARE, SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE REMAINED AT 11 PM.