The sun., 1919-03-10
PASTOR KISSED,
RAKED WILSON
Sedition and Treason Cries
Raised Against DR.. Simons at
Brooklyn Y. NJ. c. A.
NAVY MEN ASK APOLOGY
Minister Refuses, but Says He
Believes President Is 100
Per Cent. American.
NAVY MEN ASK APOLOGY

DR.. George A. Simons, pastor Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in Petro-
grad. who recently testified at a Con-
gressional investigation as TO condi-
tions In that country, yesterday after
noon caused considerable excitement
in the Central Branch Of the Young
Mems Christian Association in Brook
lyn when he assailed President Wilson
in a speech entitled "Bolshevism versus
Americanism.'
Several hundred of his audience left
the auditorium in which the address
was delivered, while many others,
headed by three enlisted men of the
United States Navy. surrounded the
speaker and demanded a public
apology.
There were about 700 persons in the
hall when DR.. Simons opened his talk by
referring to ex-President Roosevelt as
"St. Theodore" and said that he would
take the text OF his address from the last
chapter OF his acts. He quoted from one
of the last statements of Col. Roosevelt.
In which the latter said there was no
room in this country for the immigrant
who was not willing to become 100 per
cent. American. DR.. Sinons said that II
Col. Roosevelt were alive now there
would be a sort OF a hurricane in the
vicinity OF the White House.
II believe in respecting the Presi-
dent" said Or. Simons, 80 long as he
respects the traditions of our fathers.
But when he is guilty of criminal pussy
footing and playing to Bolshevism or
Bolshevist vote getters It is time that
woodrow Wilson should come TO the
mourners' bench and be reconsecrated in
the spirit Of Americarism."
Speaker Is Kissed. -
As DR.. Simons concluded this part OF
Ills address many persons In all parts
of the audience stood up and hissed him
| loudly Many left the building while
others stayed and shouted You are
| guilty of sedition,' Treason" "Other
! persons have been sentenced to prison
| for twenty years for such statements"
There we're cries from other persons
! favorable to the speaker. who called
I upon those who did not like his remarks
| TO leave the hall. Finally those who so
| desired left the place and DR.. Simons
J finished mis- speech with no further In
| terruptions. He took occasion to remark
| that he considered Mr.. Wilson An up
right man and that IL the disgrun.led
! persons had given him sufficient time to
| explain they would have been satisfied
| that he meant no wrong.
| AS Or. Simons was almost through
| with his speech number OF navy men.
| accompanied by civilians. who had left
I the auditorium, reentered the place and
| quietly took seats. When the speaker
! had finished they left their seats and
| worked their way to the platform.
William Giles, attached to the receiv-
ing ship in Bay Ridge, followed by
George Chester Long of the cruiser
Chattanooga and j. A. Feichtinger OF the
| transport Freedom, mounted the plat
form and demanded that DR.. Smons
make an apology for his statement con-
cerning the President.
DR.. Simons refused to make an
apology, but did say that he believed
that the President was n good man and
100 per cent. American. but he still be-
lieved that he was wrong in making
overtures of any kind TO the Bolshevist
Government Of Russia.
Police Rush to scene.
While conditions were most intense
four policemen who had been summoned
from the Bergen street station entered
the place. They went 10 tine platform
and listened while the sailors ques.
toned persons in the audience as to ths
statements made by DR.. Simons. News
paper men were called upon TO give q
quotation Of what the speaker had said
After hearing the statement the sailors
insisted that Dr. Simons make al
apology. He refused, but c. W. De.
trich. secretary Of the Central Branch
stepped forward and said:
III DR. Simons has no regrets foI
what he has said concerning the Presi-
dent as the secretary OF this branch
have. 1t Is the first time in my expert.
ence OF seventeen years that a speaker
has been hissed at Y. NJ. C. A. meeting
wish to announce that the association
does not assume responsibility for the
statements of speakers on its plat
forms"
, Several persons in the audiene,
wanted to know from Police Sergean
William McCauley whether or not Or
. Slmons could not be placed under ar.
rest on a charge of sedition. The po
, lceman responded that IL anybod,
cared TO assume the responsibility fol
the arrest he would escort the person
> anl the minister to the police station
He explained that as he had not hearC
, the statement made he could make M
/ arrest
He added, however, that he woult
turn in a report embodying what tn,
newspaper men asserted was an accu
: rate quotation of what DR.. Simons hat
= said. and that this report would b,
, turned over by his superior officers tc
United States Marshal James NJ Powe
for further investigation. The meetinJ
D hall was finally cleared at a much late
r hour than usual When Or. Smons lef
g there was no attempt TO molest him
I He gave his address to Sergeant Nc
e Cauley as l21 West Fourth street, Man
= haitian.