The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-01
Hoots and Kisses Prevent
Former Secretary of
State From Speaking
GREATER PART OF
AUDIENCE FRIENDLY
But Returned Soldiers Re
fuse To Let Him Pro
coed With Address
tBy Associated Press.l

Toronto, March William Jen-
nings Bryan was refused a hearing
when he appeared at Massey hall
here last night to address a prohibit
ton meeting under the auspices Of
the Dominion alliance.
Returned soldiers caused the dis
turbance by shouting various
epithets. What about the Lusit-
ania?" they also demanded in chorus.
The first disturbance came before
Mr.. Bryan's entry when the chair
man told the audience they were to
be honored by listening to the frater-
League of America. zone OF the fore
most citizens of our ally"
The chairman refrained from
mentioning Mr.. Bryan's name as
long as he could, but when it came
out at last, it was greeted by a
chorus of cat-calls and cries, we
don't want him." The chairman ap-
pealed to the audience. It was not
a good thing for the city they were
doing, he said, and "a bad thing for
the cause we represent"
Cheers And Hoots.
Then Mr.. Bryan came in and
pandemonium broke loose. Most Of
the audience stood up. waved hand
kerchiefs and cheered him, but the
answering boots from the gallery
outlasted the cheers.
For Eve minutes Mr.. Bryan tried
to make himself heard, but it was
no use. The interruption kept right
on and the interrupters sang Rule
Britannia" forcing the audience to
join in that and God Save the
King"
They inquired about the Lusitania,
and sang @OveR There" and I'VE
Won't Go Home Until Morning.
Men stood up and shook their fists
at the American ex-secretary of
state. Soldiers showed the service
button on their coats and shouted
defiance at those who pleaded for a
hearing for the visitor.
Enthusiastic prohibitionists who
wished to hear Bryan, hurled across
the hall counter calls of put them
OUT and where's your fair play?'
The chairman was heard to say
something about ejecting the In
terrupters. He was greeted with
cries of who's going to do it?"
Mr. Bryan took his seat.
John H. Roberts of Montreal, made
an attempt to speak but was told to
get the khaki on"
Then a man Of the army medical
corps dressed in uniform was hotsted
on the platform.
Boys, they are lighting for free
dom OF thought, Why should we
interrupt the meeting?" he appealed
to the gallery.
God Save the King" was sung
again. The soldiers in the gallery
shouted, take Bryan out and we
will walk out. Wen let any man
speak, but not a pro German"
Makes Futile Attempt.
After the band had played anoth-
er air, Bryan made a brief, but futile
attempt to make himself heard. Then
he TOOK a chair to the edge of the
platform and talked to the reporters,
the noise never ceasing for an in
slant.
II am here by invitation" said
Mr.. Bryan. IT come as the represent
tative OF $4,000 900 Of the American
people who have banded themselves
together in various organizations for
the promotion Of prohibition. I have
spoken in one han tonight before an
audience that gave met not only
respectful, but enthusiastic atten-
ton,
II find that less than Ave per cent,
probably more nearly less than two
per cent OF this audience refuses TO
allow the rest Of the audience to hear
me speak.
Ordinarily those who interrupt a
meeting are put out because they
refuse an overwhelming majority the
right to hear In this case ] am not
willing that force should he used to
eject the men from the hall. I would
rather that the meeting would break
up.
INV patriotism Is satisfactory to
~" president Of the United States: