New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-30
Quoted as Saying He
Wished He Was Man
Who Sank Her.
DENOUNCES ALL
THINGS BRITISH
Recalled Consul, Back,
Makes Bitter Attack
on Wilson.

Complaining bitterly against his
treatment at the hands Of the British
authorities at Kirkwall, Thomas 81.
John Gaffney, formerly United States
Consul General at Dresden and Munich,
returned yesterday aboard the Freder-
ick VIII. of the Scandinavian American
Line. He was asked by President Will
son TO resign his post several months
ago because Of his alleged unneutral
attitude.
In statement which Gaffney Issued
on his arrival he told in detail of the
ndignities to which he had been sub
jected. Not only his baggage, but his
person, also. was searched, and all per-
sonal effects, including an address
book, personal letters and two bonds
of the Wisconsin Electric Company,
valued at 500 each, were seized, he
said. In his statement he said that
England holds our government in con-
tempt. sneers at the rights of Ameri
can citizens. and if she were able to
overthrow Germany our country would
be the next to be dealt with"
passengers tnsympatnetic.
Passengers aboard the Frederick VIII
had little sympathy with Gsffney and
his difficulties, declaring him to be de-
cidedly unpopular owing to his violent
condemnation of all things British.
When the liner was two days out OF
Kirkwall wireless report was received
telling of Zeppelin raid on England.
The news was received when the dining
room was full, and passengers declare
, that Gaffney shouted above the hum Of
conversation: "Oh, that's fine! Some
more Englishmen killed."
In a moment the saloon was in an up
roar, and several rushed toward the
speaker. That's a terrible thing TO
say" protested John G.. Simon. who il
connected with Rice e. Hutchins, a shoe
firm at 10 High Street, Boston. II hate
TO think Of the innocent non-combat-
ants who will be killed. To my way of
thinking il is just as bad as the sink
ing Of the Lusitania."
81 wish TO God, then. that had been
the man to fire the torpedo sinking the
Lusitania," Gaffney is reported to have
replied.
Among others who say they heard
the remark was William +. Pike, United
States Consul General, returning from
his post at Coburg, Germany, and Gus
tave Kissing, New York lawyer, affili-
ated with the Hupp Motor Company.
Gaffney said last night that he did
not recall making the remark about the
Lusitania.
lie was asked if it was true that he
asserted that he would enjoy seeing
the German flag flying over the White
House. mo, didn't say that" replied
Gaffney. What ! did say was that |
would like 10 help haul down the Eng
lish flag from the White House. The
atmosphere of the White House -
viciously pro- British. Mr.. Wilson reads
The London Times and The Morning
Post and would prefer to believe what
those newspapers say rather than the
truth"
Gaffney blames the English papers
for his. removal from office, ana
especially the bitter editorials in The
Morning Post" which severely crit
cised his pro-German attitude at
time when Great Britain was relying
on United States diplomats for proper
suneryision of German prison and
civilian internment camps.
Gaffney is AN lrishman by birth, and
for many years has been closely con-
nected with the Irish Nationalist
movement and was one of Charles
ParnelPs co-workers. He also was an
intimate friend OF Roger Easement.
and was one Of the last to see Case
ment before the latter's return to
England.
! IL was not only his marked anti
British attitude, but also his leanings
toward the Irish, that caused the
British authorities to be so thorough
/ in their investigation of his business.
Gaffney told reporters that he pro-
posed to establish himself at the
! Waldorf Astoria. and would soon take
/ the stump for Hughes. as ever since
he became an American citizen he mas
been an ardent Republican.