New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-17
Hartford Meeting, Held in
Defiance of Mayor, Ends
in Uproar
New York Woman
And Chairman Held
Confusion When Wilson Is
Attacked; Prof. Dana
on Programme

HARTFORD. Conn, Sept. 16.-Tur-
bulent scenes attended the breaking
up by the police, here. to-day. of n
pacifist meeting. held under the au-
spices of the local branch of the Peo-
Piles Council Of America.
Mrs. Annie Riley Hale, an sggres-
sive worker in New York pacifst cir
cles, and Alfred T. Whitehead. chair
man of the meeting, were dragged off
the platform by the police and taken
TO police headquarters. Several thou
sand persons, who were listening to
the anti-war agitation. were thrown
into confusion, and conflict between
the pacifists and anti-pacihsts in the
audience was prevented only by the
quick action of the authorities in clear
ing the hall.
The meeting had been we'll adver-
tised by a previous announcement by
Mayor Frank A. Hagarty that he would
not permit the pacifsts 10 congre-
gate. Nevertheless. the anti-war agi-
tators quietly rented Socialist Hall and
distributed hsndbills.
The hall was crowded to overfowing
and many soldiers in uniform were
present when Chairman Whitehead
pounded his gavel. He declared that
after Mrs. Hale, Professor Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow Dana. of Column
bia University, would speak, and that
the full programme would be carried
out in spite of the threat of the police.
He said the demonstration was 10 be
"in commemoration of the l30th ami
versary of the drawing W Of the Con-
stitutlon.'
Criticism of Wilson Starts Trouble
Trouble began as soon as Mrs. Hale
launched into an attack on President
Wilson.
"As | am a personal friend of the
President, feel have q right to critl-
else him." said Mrs. Hale. 81 worked
TO elect him. / don't know whether 70
apologize for him or to be proud OF
him. He once said one good thing
about being too proud to fight. But he
has changed his opinion. he has
ignored the peace resolution passed oy
the Reichstag, which represented the
will Of the German people. Had our
government listened 10 the Reichstag S
vote the war would be near an end.
Yet the President has listened to no cry
for peace until it has come from the
greatest of all spiritual autocrats IN
Christendom-the Pope
Murmurs became audible IN the
crowd. Chairs were shifted around.
One man shook his fist at the speaker
The soldiers shifted their positions. =.
"War," she continued, us born OF
cowardice and based on craven imagin-
ings. An individual is made to XII an
other individual with whom he mas no
onerrel 1t is stupid and shameful. III
Is time for the world to make common
cause and end this traveSty.
Somebody brought in RED banner
and hung it beside the American nag
The anti-pacifsts became more poster
ous Chairman Whitehead added to
The din by pounding his gavel Tor or
Meantime. the police, after con,
ference with Federal agents, entered
an anteroom and listened 10 the
speaker ,p.I-;,,
is no reason why American boys shou!o
be sent over there to be slaughtered IN
the belief that If they don't Germany
will come over here and fight us hfty
vears hence!" shouted Mrs. Hale.
"Germany is not trying to Germanize
the world"
Police Stop Meeting
The entrance Of the police 81 this
roin+ caused pRndemonium. The ON
cors marched straight to the platform
and seized Mrs. Hale and Mr.. "hite-
head. -.
avon are commanded to stop tins
meeting at once" declared Frank San
tore chief Of detectives. A dozen po-
licemen surrounded the prisoners.
Apprehensive that everybody was to
be arrested, the audience got on its
feet. Half of the people rushed Tor
the rear doors; the other half, knock,
ing over benches and chairs, ciamoered
toward the speaker, booing, yelling ana
shaking fists.
cleared and Mrs. Hale and Whitehead
we're being marched to headquarters.
Professor Dana, Who voiced indlgna-
t;on at the proceedings, volunteered to
accompany them.
at is an outrage" said Professor
Dana. at is about as highhanded as
the action Of Governor Lowden IN
stopping the Chicago conference. Moth
inc was said that was not within our
constitutional rights
Mrs. Hale and Whitehead were re
leased on $500 bail each. pending their
appearance in court tomorrow. Inc
nolice say they will prosecute them on
charges Of breaches of the peace, the
MAXIMUM penalty for which is thirty
days in iaiI and 81 fine. Whitehead
came from Scotland FIVE years ago. lie
has been arrested in Worcester Mass
and Manchester, Conn, for his utter
ances.