New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
American Rights Commit
tee Calls Off Memorial to
Spare u. S. in Crisis.
ACTION FOLLOWS
MAYORS REQUEST
Resolution Planned by Leaders
Condemned German Note and
Called for Break.

The Lusitania memorial mass meet
evening by the American Rights Com
mittee, in Carnegie Hall, TO commence
rate the first anniversary Of the sink
ing of the ship, will not take place.
Following a conference Of the commit
tee yesterday in the Office of its presi-
dent, George Haven Putnam, the fol-
lowing statement was issued:
ain Difference TO the wishes OF the
Mayor. who thought it important to
avoid any risk of embarrassing the ma
tional Administration at this critical
stage Of the negotiations with Ger
many, the American Rights Committee
will postpone the Lusitania memorial
meeting that was announced for the
evening Of Sunday, May T.
Holders of reserved seats can Sc
cure a refund Of their money on APP
plication, in person or by mail, at the
Office of the committee, as Cedar Street.
GEORGE HAVEN PUTNAM. Presi-
dent.
"L. L. FORMAN, Secretary.
WILLIAM EMERSON, Treasurer"
Wilson Opposed Other Meeting.
Members Of the executive committee,
most of whom attended the meeting in
Mr.. Putnam's Office, are Everett v Alb
bot. chairman; Lawrence F. Abbott, W.
X. Brice, Frederic r. Coudert, Richard
II. Calling, Franklin II. Giddings, Law
renee Godkin, Charles p. Rowland,
Richard NJ. Hurd, d. w. Johnson, II.
de Raasloff and James B. Townsend.
George Haven Putnam, president OF
the committee, said yesterday that the
meeting was postponed only temporari-
ly. at may take q slightly different
form and be called by another name, but
the interest in the meeting has been
too keen to allow it TO be abandoned.
We will give the Administration the
chance to make good its utterances and
then we will proceed with our plans
Asked about the invitation sent to
Ambassador Won Bernstorf. which is
on file at the German Embassy, Major
Putnam said no such invitation had
been sent from the American Rights
Committee. 1--WE have no time to en-
terrain Count Won Bernstorff. nor have
we any interest in making fun of him.
All we want him to DO is 10 go back 70
Berlin"
Everett V. Abbot, chairman OF the
executive committee, said that every
thing the committee was permitted to
make public at present concerning the
postponement was in its formal state
ment.
Trouble Feared by Some.
Several things were told u.s. he
said, (which I am not at liberty to re-
peat. The meeting might have acted,
under the present circumstances, as
match 70 start q series of meetings
at which there might be trouble. Al
though we had received several anony-
nous warnings that there would be
disturbances at the Lusitania meeting,
our invitation lists were such that there
would be little room in Carnegie Hall
for any one who might interrupt the
programme with catcalls or Kisses. We
had invited patriotic societies, French
and English organizations and many
club members"
The programme for Sunday night
was to have consisted of a resolution
and a declaration, read by James b.
Townsend and seconded By Lawrence
Godkin, and speeches by Major Put
nam, the Rev. Randolph Mckim, of the
Church of the Epiphany, in Washing
ton, and Professor Franklin Ii. Cid
dings, of Columbia University.
German Break Urged.
While praising President Wilson for
the firm stand he took on the defence
of the rights of American citizens in
his letter of February "a, 1916, to the
chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, the resolution condemns all
members of Congress who are willing
TO surrender those rights under press
ure of German threats. i urges CO.
operation with the Allies, and adds that
when the Germans shall give up their
dream of empire, Americans will rejoice
TO join them again in advancing the
ideals of justice, humanity and ciyiliza-
ton.
Mayor Mitchell said last night that
the Federal government was not be-
hind the postpOnement of the Lusitania
meeting. "In suggesting that the meet
ing be postponed he declared, 81 was