New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-18
LARKIN TALKS
AS HEARERS FIGHT
Blows Struck as Irish Vol
unteers Listen to Attack
on Governments.
NEWSPAPERS BLAMED
FOR STARTING ROW
Orchestra Outlets All by Patriotic
Tunes-Agitator Explains
Slur on Flag.

James Larkin, Irish labor sgitstor,
who may be deported from the United
States for an alleged slur upon the
American flag which he is said to have
made during an address several weeks
ago, succeeded al a meeting held by
the New York Irish Volunteer Commit
tee in Terrace Garden last night in
so srousing his audience that a general
fight was narrowly averted.
Several blows were actually struck,
reporter was assaulted, New York
newspapers in general and The New
York Tribune in particular were
charged with conspiring 70 break up
last nights meeting, and for time il
looked as II pandemonium would break
loose and there might be work for the
police reserves.
In the course OF his vitriolic speech
against orderly government in general
and that OF Great Britain in particu-
lar, Larkin was repeatedly interrupted
By those In the audience who took
offence at his remarks. Growing tired
Of this, Larkin suddenly shouted:
"Ill answer any blasted question
any idiotic Englisnman here wants to
ask after my speech"
That started the row. Efforts were
made 70 throw the would-be question
ers out of the hall During the scuf-
fe blows were struck. Larkin jumped
from the platform, elbowed his way
through the crowd. grabbed one Of
those who were in danger OF physical
violence and dragged him toward and
up the steps of the platform.
Now ask your question before these
people," Larkin shouted, but the ter
rorlzed victim didn't get a chance in
the turmoil which started.
When il subsidized Jeremiah A.
OLeary, an attorney and chairman of
the meeting, announced:
ut has come TO my notice that The
New ork Tribune and other New York
newspapers have sent men 10 this
meeting tonight with the object Of
breaking it up and destroying its ef-
fects."
The derisive noises became desfen-
ing and for time IL looked as though
six lonely, pale-faced but determined
newspaper reporters, with only lead
pencils and copy paper as weapons,
were At the mercy OF several thousand
antagonistic men and women. But
cooler heads prevailed. somebody gave
orders TO the orchestra Of two and an
attempt was made 10 direct the excited
emotions OF the audience into patriotic
manifestations by Irish songs.
The ruse succeeded. Patriotism pre-
vailed. The crowd rose and responded
20 the tunes. One reporter, busily re-
cording past events on plat, falied
70 rise. A uniformed member OF the
Irish volunteer brigade jumped at the
unfortunate scribe, and, poking him
none too gently in the side with the
scabbard OF his sword, commanded him
70 rise.
Referring to the charge made against
him that he had called the American
flag a rag, Latkin said:
~ meant the Union Jack, not the
Stars and Stripes"
Professor Kuno Meyer said that, Al
though he had been retained by mar
ward University 20 lecture on irish
poetry President Lowell had cancelled
his contract after having seen reports
Of a speech Of Professor Meyer made
several weeks ago in Brooklyn, IN
which he strongly lauded the irish and
the Irish cause.
81 am glad il happened so, because
could never breathe an atmosphere
so close and dense as that which seems
20 prevail at Harvard" Professor Meyer
said.