Herz's career was mired in controversy during Romania's involvement in World War I. The first two years were of cautious neutrality, during which Romanian public opinion divided itself between supporting the Entente or the Central Powers. Initially, Herz was friendly toward the former, producing in July 1915 a montage of patriotic verse by Eftimiu and Goga. Called "Cântarea României" ("Romania's Song"), and starring Édouard de Max, it hinted to the annexation of Bukovina and Transylvania. Over the following months, Herz drifted toward Germanophilia, writing theatrical columns in "Steagul" newspaper and having friendly encounters with a "Germanophile" agent, Alexandru Bogdan-Pitești. Before December 1915, he had written the scenario for a "café-chantant", "Melcul" ("The Snail"). Noticed for his contribution to the revue genre, Herz was also working with Nicolae Niculescu-Buzău, the star of anti-war plays, at the Alhambra. According to Niculescu's recollection, Herz proved "rather good" at creating "dialogue, humorous prose and misunderstandings".