The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-05
THE DANSE DU yENTRE.
INF P0LTcE ARREsrED DANCERS
IN xEw YORK YEsrERDAY,
hut the Court Decides That tho Dance
shall Continue Untn Judgment Is
Rendered in the Case.


New YORK, Dec. 5.--The danse du
ventre at the Grand Central palace, which
was ordered stopped by Inspector VIII
liams Saturday night, was again given
yesterday afternoon. There was a big
rush for admittance.
When the little theater was filed the
crowd outside was kept back and the
performance began. Captain Berghold
and his two ward men, Archibald and
Mcmahon, were conspicuous among the
audience.
Zelilxa, also known as Stella, the fairest
of all the dancing queens, was the first
performer, taking the place OF Fora, who
usually leads the exhibition.
zelika merely danced at first in a man
ner 10 which even Comstock could not
have taken exception, particularly as her
body was amply covered from neck TO
toe. But presently the music grew softer,
and pausing in the middle of the stage
Zelika began that series OF dreamy, sinu-
ous movements which have been pro-
nounccd the Objectionable and indecent
feature OF the dance. During this part of
the dance there was long, thickset ST.
lence, and many of the women averted
their gaze from the stage.
ZeIika was followed by Fora, also young
and good hooking, though trifie swarthy.
These girls claim TO be cousins. Fora
danced with even more abandon than
Zelika and was greeted with applause.
Fatma, the gross and ungainly, who looks
like an alderman in skirts, then appeared.
When she had finished, man with for
eign accent announced that the perform
ance would be repeated in ten minutes.
Then Captain Berghold rose in his might
and eyeing the girls who had wriggled
into the clutches OF the law said sternly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, you may pass
out. This performance will not be re-
peated in ten minutes or at any other
time"
Dancers Arrested.
The dancers were arrested and taken to
court. When the case was called Mr..
Hummell said very gravely to Justice
Burke, alter scanning Captain Berghold's
sfi1davit, which accused his client OF vio-
lating section No. 3S5 OF the penal code
"by giving public exhibition OF dance
offensive to public decency."
"This dance against which Captain
Berghold complains has not only been
given all over Europe but for the last four
months In Chicago before ladies and
gentlemen and the clergy.
"In Chicago it was given not only with
the permission OF tho local authorities and
the sanction of the lady managers of the
Worlds fair, but under the auspices
Of the federal government itself, and
IL this dance be indeed Indecent, then
Uncle Sam has been guilty of gross inn
morality. We wish to waive examination
and have the case set down for trial in the
court OF special sessions for next Wednes-
day, il that date suits your honor"
Justice Burke granted this. Then Cap
tain Berghold asked: "What is to be
done in the meantime?"
I'VE shall continue to give perform
ances, OF course" said Mr.. Hummel.
"Then I'll arrest the performers" re-
piled the captain.
"If you arrest them before ii has been
proved that they are transgressing the
law you will be as much a law breaker
~ they can possibly be-" maintained the
little lawyer.
"But want TO know where / stand,u
persisted Captain Berghold.
"Of course this is difficult point TO de-
eide, = sait Justice Burke. 81 have seen
the show in Chicago, and so have great
many other persons. Really do not see
how 1t can do any harm to allow the dance
TO continue few days pending definite
decision in the case"