New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-03

speech to anybody. have told the po-
lice to protect the pacifists, state troops
CT no state troops"
Accepting the opportunity, the New
York pacifsts. whose number had been
augmented by the arrival Of John D..
Works, former Senator from California,
with 100 more pscifsts from the West
and q score from North Dakota and
Minnesota, rented the West Side Audi
torium, about two miles from the heart
Of the city.
At noon Louis p Lochner, secretary
of the Peoples Council, collected his
stenographers and had them quietly
distribute a circular announcing: AT
o'clock this afternoon the meeting Of
the constituent assembly Of the Peo-
Plies Council, interrupted yesterday by
the police, will reconvene at the West
Side Auditorium. The Chief Of Police
has assured full protection"
The dazed pacifsts, who had been
wandering about the Hobbies of the
Hotel Dearborn, doubtful whether they
would be able TO meet anywhere, cheer
lily climbed into streetcars bound for
the West Side.
Hurry to Beat Troops
Greeted smilingly and with a show
Of friendliness by a squad of police
men who had ousted them the day be-
fore, and treasured by a large sign
which announced, Delegates for peace
and democracy, welcome" the pacifists
began a race to hold their conference
before the troops arrived.
A feeling of uneasiness pervaded the
conference. Three hundred delegates
sat sideways in their seats, each with
one eye on the rear door and one eye
on the platform, because it had been
bruited that a regiment was hiding
around the corner, and was awaiting
only TO receive signal that the paci-
fists conference actually was in session
before they would pounce down on the
assembly and with extended bayonets
whisk the pacifsts into the street.
Every heavy football in the hallway
caused a casting around of 800 heads.
After Mr.. Hillquit, Jacob Panken,
Professor Henry Wadsworth Longfel-
low Dana. Elizabeth Freeman. Rebecca
Shelly and Leila Faye Secor had been
elected the New York members of an
executive committee Of seventeen mem
bers 10 carry on propaganda work OF
the Peoples Council, Seymour Sted-
man, chairman. announced that anti
war speeches would be in order
Convention Nervous
Lusty cheering, which was given with
a nervous intimation that the proceed
ings should be gone through with as
expeditiously as possible, attended the
demands for peace. DR.. Msgnes was
the first speaker to oppose the war.
He said in part:
"Why don't We have peace? The
President says if we drew up peace
terms now German autocracy would
dictate them. But why should we not
meet with the representatives of the
German people and tall to them face TO
face? X. G.. Wells asks, why does the
slaughter go on?' Because, he says, r
few people have positions of peculiar
advantage. We ask that the President
state in terms that everybody can un-
derstand the terms upon which we will
make peace.
Backbone of War Broken
"No doubt there are great difficult
ties, but what are these difficulties
Nnen the lhJe Ol lHe NOIlu ndHsS III
the balance? We want free speech, our
constitutional rights. free press. de
mocracy at home and peace. The back
bone of the war is broken. No govern
ment can again make war without first
receiving a mandate from the people"
His remarks were punctuated with
cheers.
William F. Mason. ConEressman-at-
large from Illinois, was the next speak
err He explained that he had sent let