A GUILDHALL INCIDENT

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 18

A GUILDHALL INCIDENT

"APPEAL TO NATIONS.*'

(FROM oua OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON", October 3. . The banquet which the Patriotic Societies gave at the Guildhall on "Wednesday night in honour of the Dominions Prime Ministers was marred by an unusual and surprising incident. The Secretary of State for the Dominions was just arriving at the conclusion of his toast, "The Chairman" (Prince Arthur of Connaught), when a young man standing behind Mr Thomas's chair, started to address the huge audience in i the Guildhall. No one knew what was coming, and even those in authority allowed the speaker to carry on for a while. The guests afar off thought the unlisted orator was about to make some appeal on behalf of some Empire organisation. One very close to the high table declared that the" young man pulled Mr Thomas 4jy the arm, forcing him to resume his seat, and then began his own impassioned address. lie said: "I Am Young." "Gentlemen, I am 21. • Will you hear me? I am a member of and Cambridge; will you allow me to explain ?" he began. The company, obviously' under the impression that he had something further to say in connexion with the toast, remained silent. Mr Thomas gazed round at his interruptor nonplussed. "Gentlemen, what we want is a better understanding between the nations," continued the young man vehemently. "Solomon once prayed for wisdom, and I pray for wisdom. I am speaking to help humanity. I believe I have wisdom and I know what is wrong. "I have found out that at heart there is good in everybody, and that what is wrong is lack of understanding. I will help to make the people understand, but it is hard, and I am young." There was an uncomfortable silence, and the young man continued: "Did Luther know when he set out that he was going to form a Church? Did Alexander the Great know when he set out " / Cries of "Order, order" were raised from all parts of the hall, but the young man continued passionately: "Will you hear me?" There were more crip of "Order," but the young man, again ignoring the protests, and shouting to. make himself heard, exclaimed: "I ask you before these Prime Ministers to help me to bring about a better understanding."

(Some laughter.) "What! You only laugh at me." •By this time several waiters _ had hurried back to the hall, and at a signal' from tie toastmaster the young man was conducted from the banquetingroom. As he went he shouted: "You will not laugh at me for long." "Give Youth a Chance." He was led to a door and conducted to an ante-room, where he was seen by an' inspector of police and others, who remained with him for a few minutes. On emerging he gave his name as Herbert Gervers. He had been a guest at the dinner. To a representative of the "Daily Telegraph" Gervers said that he was not representing any movement." "I am quite by myself, and I was going to ask them to give youth a chance. I a& thinking of our country," he added.. "I want youth to have a chance."