The sun., 1919-06-01
VIERICK STIRS
POETS TO FIGHT
Ex-EditOr of the "Father-
land" Attacks Wilson at
Whitman Memorial.
IRISH BARD BUTTS IN
One Of Two Plain Americans
and an Emma Goldman
Telegram Involved.
IRISH BARD BUTTS IN

George Sylvester vierecl1, one time
editor OF the Fdtherland, attacked
President Wilson's attitude toward
Germany at the Peace Conference last
night in a speech delivered at the
closing session Of the exercises In OBJ
oefvance OF the Tooth anniversary Of
Walt Whitman's birth, held at the
Hotel Brevoort by the Walt Whitman
Fellowship International. AS a result
lc precipitated. quite as interesting a
row as a Walt Whitman celebration
has ever called forth. For time fisti-
cuffs seemed imminent between
George Dana Mumford, lawyer and
poet, who objected to Mr.. Viereck's
utterances. and Shaemas O'Sheel. the
eminent young Celtic poet, who OBJ
jected to Mr.. Mumford's objections.
Mr.. viereck wae among the last Of
the avs minute speakers called uissn hy
George Jay Smith. a memher, OF the
Board of Examiners OF the Board Of
Education. and he began with q refer
enoe to the smuggling OF bust Of whit
man into the Hall OF Fame at New York
University Thursday night, terrning It
q "sacrilege."
what. whitman's bust in that place
of infamy called the Hall of Fame
which barred Poe until recently?" Mr.,
Viereck asked. Would you place a
picture OF your sweetheart in the house
OF drunkard, What place has Whit
man with those kept in a Hall Of Fame
controlled by the vested interests and
! the kept press?"
Then Mr.. viereck shifted abruptly to
international affairs. II supported Pres
ident Wilson on his original fourteen
points," he went on, but can you imag-
| inc Whitman supporting a Government
which Is trying to crush a sister repub-
! lic-the new born Germany? When
| President Wilson follows the spirit of
Whitman I am with him. but not when
he follows the spirit of Clemenceau. /
cannot be in sympathy with League of
| Nations that excludes three-fourths of
the world"
"The Rotten German swinep
\ Mr.. Mumford. his wife. Clair Num-
ford, who Is the author OF the American
, ization Greco: Cecil OGorman and
I Frank Bohn, wartime Socialist
| who has supported the Government
| against the Kaiser - all IN evening
| dres were seated at a table near
the centre of the crowded room. In or
der. as Mr.. Mumford said afterward. to
| show their disapproval Of Mr.. Viereck's
structures, they all pushed back their
chairs and started to make their way
through the closely packed diners toward
the exit. AS they passed through the
door into the hall one OF the men In the
party turned toward Mr.. Viereck and
said in a voice which he made but little
attempt to soften:
THE rotten German swine!'
| There was buzz all through the room
| and Mrs. Mumford said something to
her husband which was inaudble as he
4 turned back at the doorway and said:
! Let an American talk"
| At this point Mr. O'Sheel injected him
self into the situation by suggesting to
Mr.. Mumford that he shut up"
| what sort OF an American are you
anyway" he asked.
! Mr.. Mumford made some refernce to
| the Mayflower. adding that he had paid
for his dinner. CThe price was 81, col
lected by the hotel management.
What else did you pay for?" asked
Mr.. O'Sheel.
whats that to you? Who are you
anyway" demanded Mr.. Mumford.
who are your" countered O'Sheel.
Mr. Mumford gave his name.
"Ah, British sympathizer," and the
poets chamois gloved hands went up
threateningly and Mr.. Mumford too as
sumed an attitude indicating immediate
action.
Nov, George, don't" interposed Mrs
Mumford. sweeping forward between the
couple who glowered at each other for a
moment and then went their ways.
| Were Americans, and we simply
couldn't stand for that man and what he
was saying" Mrs. Mumford explained
as her party entered a taxlcab and was
whisked away up town.
! Even Emma Goldman Praised.
But members of the Mumford party
were not the only ones to leave the
Whitman dinner last night. Earlier ir
the evening a man dressed In the uni,
form of a Colonel In the army stalked
out after Chairman Smith OF the Board
OF Education had said before readina
a telegram sent by Emma Goldman from
the Federal prison at Jefferson City
Mo-, that "she Is admired. think, by al
CONTINUED on Thirteenth Pd0e)