Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-03
N. {. MINISTERS
OBJECT TO SUNDAY
RECEPTION PLANS
Presented Protest to Mayor To-
day, But After Discussion,
Withdrew II.
DlAZ HERE NEXT SUNDAY

About Is members OF the Methodist
Association presented pro-
test, unanimously adopted by that
body. to Mayor Harvey. shortly before
noon today. in which they objected to
the character OF the proposed recep-
ton to General Diaz, commander-in-
chief OF the Italian army during the
World War. to be held here Sunday
After considerable discussion, the pro-
test was withdrawn and IL was finally
decided that a committee OF five mem
bers of the Ministers Association
meet with the committee in charge of
the reception, at a meeting 10 be held
in the mayors Office this afternoon.
Before reading the protest, DIR.
Robert Watt. as spokesman for the
ministers, said that the point at issue
was the moral effect that such DEM
onstration would have on the people
Of this community He said that IL
was wholly out of keeping and that
he never had heard Of such a thing in
his 81 years residence In this city.
After the protest had been read,
Mayor Harvey said that the matter
had been carefully considered by the
committee in charge Of the reception
and that one of the members OF the
committee had spoken to a minister,
who said that while not favoring the
meeting to be held on Sunday, they
thought the committee would be JUS
titled in receiving Gen. Diaz.
The mayor said he understood how
the ministers felt about the situation,
but the matter has been carefully
considered by the committee. The
mayor said that the reception would
give an opportunity to show the ap-
Ipreciation Of the great services rem
dered by General Diaz 10 the Allied
cause and TO express the gratitude to
Kim, for his share in the defeat Of Ger
many. He said he felt Wilmington
was justified in participating in a
dignified and orderly way on Sunday
ia honor of General Diaz.
Harrie T. Price, a member of the
reception committee, said that every
effort had been made to have the re-
ception held on another date, but this
could not be arranged. lie said that
the original date planned was not on
a Sunday, but that Il had been chang
ed several times. until now, the plans
are for the reception TO be held on
Sunday
The mayor said the plans We're tc
have the reception committee meet
General Diaz at the railroad station
then go 10 the Public Building, where
the welcome to the city would be ex-
tended and then to the Hotel du Pont
where a luncheon would be held
Mayor Harvey said he would be very
much surprised II a protest was made
in Philadelphia, for the plans Of Gen
eral Diax do provide for his reception
In that city on Sunday afternoon.
DIR. Watt said what was objected L
was the plan for the blaring OF bands
and a shouting demonstration, en-
tirely out OF keeping with the Ameri,
can idea of the Sabbath. He said thai
the plans as arranged now. provide fol
General Dlaz's reception In this city
just at the time when the churches
win be holding their services.
The mayor said he would preset
the protest TO the committee and SEE
what action could be taken.
Rev. r. w. Jones said the foreign
representatives 90 the disarmament
conference in washington, realizing
that the Eighteenth amendment wa
in effect, were scrupulously careful Il
Continued on page s.