| Main Performers | Viscount Cecil of Chelwood (presiding),
Archbishop of York,
Lord Eustace Percy MP,
Hon. Sir Stafford Cripps MP,
Prof. Gilbert Murray,
Beverley Nichols,
Miss Margaret Bondfield,
Vyvyan Adams,
Mr Smuts - speakers |
| Set List | 'God Save the King' (The National Anthem),
Speeches,
Resolution for disarmament |
| Performance Notes | "The Chairman moved a resolution in the following terms:
'This meeting assures the Government of its support in a policy of drastic international disarmament on the following basis:- 1. The same principles of disarmament to be applied to all nations alike. 2 No re-armament of nations now subject to disarmament treaties. 3. Weapons such as military aircraft, tanks, submarines, monster warships, and large land guns, now forbidden to certain nations, to be forbidden to all. 4. Existing collective obligations to renounce aggressive war and to assist any nation wrongfully attacked to be re-affirmed."
(The Times, 16 November 1937)
The event was orgainised by Dame Adelaide Lord Stickney Livingstone, DBE (19 January 1881-14 September 1970) who was an American-British human rights activist responsible for organising the Peace Ballot in 19341935 to gauge the British public's sentiment in the winds of upcoming war with a rearming and aggressive Germany led by Adolf Hitler. The results of the Peace Ballot were officially announced at the Hall on 27 June 1935.
"...An interruption, resulting in a man being ejected from the hall, occurred during a speech by Mr Beverley Nichols, who said that young men in the war had crucified themselves for the very cuase of disarmament.
A young man in the front row shouted: "That is wrong: they died for their country, not for the League of Nations Union." The interruptor would not sit down until compelled to by a steward.
Mr Nichols contended that the resolution of disarmament before the meeting was not strong enough, but should include the words, "Peace at any price." "I am standing in front of a flag," he continued, pointing to the Union Jack. "There is a flag which I condier even as great as that - the white flag." This remark brought another outburst, and an interruptor at the back of the hall shouted "The Red Flag."
The young man in the front row jumped up and shouted "That's rubbish." A steward tried to make him sit down, but as he continued shouting he was hustled out of the hall..."
(The Daily Telegraph, 16 November 1932) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1932/54) |