The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-28
BERNHARDr PLEADS FOR CRETE
A womnn's Reason why France should stand
by Greece and Oppose Turkey.

A womnn's Reason why France should STAND
by Greece and Oppose Turkey.
Sarah Bernhard spoke out her mind on the
subject Of Crete to o reporter OF the Paris Figaro
before giving the recent performance of Pho
DIRE" for the benefit Of the Cretan victims.
1T am profoundly Indignant" said she.
"where 10 France being dragged TOT 1t ia rs
though we were to bite our nurses breast! We
are covering ourselves with shame in thus Do
Tending the Turk against our mother. Whatf
there arc human beings, Christians, Greeks, who
are suffering, who are massacred, who arc
robbed, who are tortured, and when these Greeks
revolt, call for help from their brothers; we stop
them; we stand in the way Of their hberationt
Why, even though they were not Greeks, we
should fly to their aid simply because they ara
suffering. 1t is q denial of all our traditions; ID
is to do violence to the soul of France to make 10
act such a part. 1t would be criminal to do what
we arc doing even against negroes; 1t Is doubly
so to do 1t against Greece.
THAT ia why l give my matinee next Thurs
day for the benefit Of the victims Of the Crotan
massacres. Writers and orators have already
shaken the torpor Of the public. wish to bring
to their assistance the aid Of dramatic art. tho
spirit of classical tragedy. the soul Of Greece in
Racine's winged verses. Only two days agol
announced the matinee. and already the thea
tire is besieRed by unknown friends who wish to
letters Of approval and ENCOURAGEMENT. Some
arc very touching; one among them offers me q
Cretan tragedy. 1 do not wish, however. to be
the only one on this occasion to show my sym
patty for the unfortunate. l have asked poets
for verses, which we shall rectte; The poets. too,
must speak out as their fathers did in 1880.
And besides, are not all disinterested hearts
on our sidei What artist, what writer is there
that Is not a lover OF the Greeks 1t is only tho
fnanciers who do not love Greece, because she
Is poor. Greece does not pay her debts.
EVERY day I receive letters from there. They
keep me informed Of the Indebtedness Of the
unfortunate retan refugees IN Athens. When
I say I receive letters / should say l do not re-
ceive them all. The last that came to me 1 re-
ceived because It had been given In charge OF
the embassy. but it mentioned two others that
never came.
mo matter. I know enough, even If I knew
only what every one knows. to be indignant and
to do what I am doing. 1 hope that my exam
pie will be ollowed. For, as a high Greek Of
iicial was saying 70 me just now II would 6e
frightful to see Europe crush Greece, but 10
would be more horrible to see Franco sharing in
the shameful deed"
The theatre w rs crowded, the receipts being
more than 1000 francs. Pretty actresses
sold the programmes and photographs Of Nine.
Bernhard, with verses from "Phedre " in her
handwriting, and made 300 francs by the sale.
The audience was naturally very enthusiastic,
and applauded wildly every reference to Greece
or Crete in the play and the verses, written for
the occasion by MN. Harancourt and Rostand.