Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-03-16
CRITICISM OF POPE
D|STURBS CONCERT
Anglers PERUVIAN
Miss Montague's Address
Resented BY Ambassador.

ular Sunday evening concert at
Wardman Park Hotel Sunday night
came to a sudden close when, be-
tween numbers, Miss NJ. Louise
Montague. OF Martinsburg, w. Va,
made an address which was con.
strued to be an attack upon the
Pope. which was resented bitterly
by Ambassador Alfredo Pezet. M
Peru.
The denunciation of the Pope was
the signal for general confusion. I
Fashionably gowned women Missed
Miss Montague and shouts filled the
ballroom. 1t was said. Mr.. Pezet, II
Is alleged was threatened with ex-i
pulsion from the hotel by Capt. h. /
NJ. Collins OF Willard Courts ana
heated words passed between tho !.
| two.
According to the story related 10 7,
Star reporter yesterday by Miss
Montague. who is head OF the Inter
national Humanity League, which
aims to promote church unity, she
had been invited to address a meet
ing in tho ballroom OF the hotel
Sunday morning. at which Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt of the Navy
Department was to be the principal
speaker. Owing to the 1ateness OF
the hour Miss Montague postponed
her talk until the evening. &
Alleged Cause OF Offense z
Between musical numbers Mrs. T..
B. Moran OF this city, introduced
Miss Montague, who proceeded to
outline the plans OF the organiSa-
ton which she represented. II told
how the Pope refused to line up the
Catholic church with the church
unity move" said Miss Montague.
Il told that the reason the Pope re>
fused to do this was because he was
unwilling to repudiate the political
policy of tie church on church and
state unity.
Ambassador Pezet then arose
and shouted. I'm q Catholic, and /
do not intend to stand for any such
Willard Courts then took issue with
Mr.. Pezet and advised me 10 con-
tinue withdrew from the plat
form with the statement that 1,
would give u lecture In Wardman
Park Hotel some day this week.
Women Hiss Miss Montague
Then confusion reigned, Fash.
lonably gowned women Kissed at
me. and some came to where was
standing and made such remarks az
You ignorant thing and You don't
know history | was challenged on
all sides by Catholics and defended
| h. ntao 70 NJ tp@ n ~
lage. The entire assemblage turned
into an open forum; everybody
seemed to be clamoring to be heard.
At one time thought there would
be blows struck. Yes. II was what !
should term near riot"
Miss Montague said she made no
attack on the doctrines Of the Catn-
Ollie church, and that she. herself. IL
a Catholic. She said the lobby ant
ballroom were filled with members
OF the diplomatic corps and their
wives and other notables.
Ambassador Alleges "Insult' +
Mr.. Pezet when asked by Star
reporter to give his version OF the
affair, said he. as a guest of the hos
tel had been "insulted" when Miss
Montague delivered her attack on
the Catholic church, of which am a.
member, and Of which my family has
been member for centuries.
II naturally resented this atT
tack" continued Mr.. Pezet. and
when / demonstrated with the speak
er q man whom found out later to
be Capt. Collins threatened to-
throw me out. dared him to do so.
There was great confusion, | did
not propose to be insulted In the
hotel in which | was a guest, 30 |
resented the attack on my church..
Groups Discuss incident
For an hour or more following
the "hape-up" guests OF the hotel
stood In groups In the lobby discus
sing the incident AS Miss Monta-
que put it, "the guests resolved
themselves into two armed camps"
The association Of which Miss
Montague Is head has the indorse-
ment OF twenty-five denominations.
and included in its membership are
representatives Of thirty-fye coun-
tries.