New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
BeckandChoate Would
Break Relations with
Germany
$500 CHEER ROOT
APPEAL FOR AID
Speaker Gives Lie to the
German Claim of
Justification

The people Of New York spoke
,hsir first word Of protest against the
German enslsvement Of the Belgians
At Carnegie Hall last night. Yet, in
way, it was more than a mere OBJ
lection BY the people of one nation
70 the action Of the troops Of an
other.
The thirty-fve hundred men and
women who rose and stood reverently
when Cardinal Mercier's name was
mentioned, who cheered themselves
bresthless when the Belgian anthem
was PLAYED, who went wild for five
minutes when one Of the speakers
referred 10 Albert, King Of the Bel
eians. did not come TO register for
nal protest. They came to con-
temn.
Beck Sounds Keynote
These are the statements which
called forth the greatest bursts OF
feeling from the gathering:
we should say TO Germany De-
portation Of the Belgians must stop
or Johann Won Bernstorff will be
given his passport"
James VI. Beck made this ssser-
ton in his address.
Ehhu Root read the section from
the Hague Convention under which
Germany claims justification for the
,xile order. He showed that this ex-
rressly proves German violation of
law and humanity.
In letter from Joseph II. Choate,
reai from the platform by the Rev.
Dr. W. T. Manning. chairman Of the
meeting. the former Ambassador TO
England backed up Mr.. Beck's state
nent and enlarged upon it.
The Secretary Of State says that
he United States government has
exhausted its means Of diplomacy"
The letter read, "and therefore lays
he case before American public
opinion, from which it will expect to
traw guidance for the next step, if
any be taken. do not agree with
mat view, although l accept it for
me time being, in Difference TO the
high authority of the President. ]
Go not believe that we are bound to
continue diplomatic relations with a
nation that shall persist in such
brutal outrages against the universal
protest Of the neutral world"
Expressions Are Cheered
Theso expressions Of opinion or th'
part % noted Americans found then
echo in tho continued cheering OF the
three thousand odd others who listened
% them. The crowd that ismmed rs
way into.the big auditorium last night
I'D not come TO listen 10 speeches. II
came to voice ite desire, to express It's
t'slisos and its beliefs.
Prom beginning 10 end every men
ION Of the Ksiser's name was the sig
1sl for "boos" as heartfelt as were the
cheers which greeted the name OF
Roosevelt, OF King Albert OF Belgium
tsef
The meeting was pro-Ally and un-
sshsned OF ts lack Of neutrality. Even
nc mention of President Wilson was
not exempted from expressions Of dis
approval When reference was made
20 the Chief Executives diplomatic
Efforts ironicsl laughter swept through
ne house When Dr. Manning spoke OF
ne military unpreparedness Of the
United States some one shouted;
Blame thc man in the White House"
Most Of tho crowd Rad bought tho
snail American and Belgian Asgs on
ale a. the door. and when stirred they
waved these. For the night at least
a,ir emotions were governed by the
VA fsgs they held. They were foI
e,gium almost as much as for America
From all parts Of tho country came
''kn eondemning the action OF TO
German troops and calling upon the
neeiing last night for action. Theo-
dors Roosevelt, denounced the Kaiser
sep N letter saying:
This sctiou is paralleled by the &C
uoh Of the Assyrisn conquerors Of Sy'
ia and Palestine, but until the present
var broke out II was supposed that
such hideous infsmi.s were effectively
checked by tho system Of international
lsw which has grown up under modern
christian civilization"
Archbishop ireland. Of ST. Paul, and
sisnop Thomas O'Gorman, Of sioux
rails, also sent letters.
That upliftcd land Of liberty should
20 more than succor the Belgisns IN
tneir proud poverty" the Archbishop
wrote. ~ should defend them In their
iighx."
In reply 10 these appeals from the
country a. large, resolutions presented
~ President John Grer Hibben, Of
rrrneston, were. passed unanimously.
iosse condemned the enslAvement Of =
people and called upon the government
centlnutd on maze g. column