Churchill's address was preceded by short introductory remarks from Karl T. Compton, ex-president of M.I.T., and Bernard M. Baruch, elder statesman. The former read a letter from President Truman, who apologized for his absence with the assurance that it was "a matter of necessity, not of choice."
Baruch, who has been the British statesman's host during most of his visit here, introduced Churchill as "a peace-hungering man," and the "greatest living Englishman."
Interrupted by Applause
The official party arrived at the Garden at 8:55 p.m., five minutes before the program began officially. Churchill received a minute-long ovation as he walked slowly to the platform and bowed briefly to the audience before taking his seat. He was cheered again as he rose to speak, and was interrupted by applause 19 times during the course of his address. At its conclusion he was cheered for less than a minute.
The official United States Marine Corps band entertained the packed auditorium with a program of British music for a half-hour before the speeches. As Churchill's party entered, the bank struck up "Rule Britannia" and followed this with the British National Anthem.
Following the main address, the Star Spangled Banner was played. Churchill, alone of the dignataries on the platform, sang the words throughout.
Pickets
The meeting was picketed by about 300 members of the "Citizens Action Committee for Peace." The demonstrators carried placards saying "No More Luce Talk," "No More Fulton Follies," and "Even Harry Wouldn't Come." They chanted "Churchill wants war, we want peace," and "Send that bundle back to Britain." Several of the participants were Harvard students. Other representatives came from the United Fur and Leather Workers (C.I.O.), and the New England Communist Party. A number of ministers were among the group, which was heavily guarded by police.
The auditorium itself was patrolled by several hundred State and local police, as well as secret servicemen and Scotland Yard agents.
Churchill and the official party entered the Garden by automobile, which they drove up the ramp inside the building to the door immediately outside the platform