New-York tribune., 1902-03-16
PARIS.
iREvIVED INTEREST IN BoER WAR
EXPLOITS.

QUARREL BETWEEN SARAH BERNHARDT
AND CATULLE MENDEs OVER LATTER's
PLAY-BooKs WHICH ARE POPULAR.
Copyright: 1902 By The Tribune AssociatiOn)
Especial to The Tribune by French Cable.l
Paris March 15.-As can readily be imagined
The dashing exploits Of General De La Rey and
his magnanimous and diplomatic release Of
Lord Methuen have aroused renewed enthusi-
asm in France for the Beers, but there is no
upheaval this time of those noisy, venomous
manifestations of Angiophobia which have
hitherto invariably characterized the reception
of news here Of British reverses. Almost with
out exception the comments Of the French press
on Lord Methuen's disaster are coupled with
alIusions TO '-the chivalrous dignity with which
that British general paid homage 10 the mem
pry OF Colonel de Villebois-Mareuii, to whom
he raised a monument at Boshof. To-day the
Figaro goes a step further and in a leading
editorial calls attention ~the stole resolution"
OF England, which under such cruel crcum-
stances becomes firrner than ever, and presents
TO the world magnificent spectacle" and
concludes with the question. IF this is not
worthy OF admiration, how, then. can the nation
prove its greatnessT~ In the Journal Edmond
de Molins predicts that IN fifty years the Anglo
Saxon race viii have established its overwhelm-
sng preponderance in South Africa The "Siecle"
continues 10 England as strongly dS
ever, and as these are the only expressions Of
opinion favorable TO England that have been
noticed here since the Transvaal began
they seem worth recording
The ''Matin" says that General De La Rey
tn releasing Lord Methuen has performed the
most superb action of his life, and has revealed
himself not only "a brilliant soldier. but a
snasterful statesman" General de GaIffet, who
has from the outset followed the Transvaal war
-x&f, orI
Adethuen encountered with young. unframed
mounted yeomanry force Of veterans led by
one OF the most experienced commanders Of our
age, and THINKS that 1t win very likely turn
out that this the first time that Lord
Methuen's men. rather boys. had ever been
under fire, and under the circumstances it
could not be expected that such raw recruits
could do otherwise than run away and abandon
their chief.
Monday being St Patrici1's Day, a grand ban
quet and ball is to be given IN the Avenue
foche under the auspices OF the Comte and
Comtesse MacCarthy and scions Of the French
branches Of the families Of MacMAhon, Neil and
Dillon, and the Vicomtesse de viIlobois- -Mareuil
WIFI solicit funds on this occasion for the women
and children prisoners IN the concentration
camps, and Rostand's Boer poems will be sung
and recited
The quarrel between Sarah Bernhard and
CatuIIs Mendes, the poet-drarnatist, has
sumed proportions similar TO the famous dis
Hension some years ago between ''the Baronet
and the Butterfly" The symbolic literature
ELECTED by the present controversy, which to-
day IS the talk OF Paris, Is quite amusing
as Mr.. whister's incisive pamphlets about
Sir George Eden's refusal to pay the price
demanded for Lady Eden's memorable portrait
II appears that Sarah Bernhard had accepted
and was rehearsing "Sainte Therese," drama
IN verse by NJ Mendes. which she admits to
be lone OF the finest plays have ever under
taken" The fifty-four sixteenth century Span
ish costumes had been completed, the scenery
built and painted, the music composed and
special artists engaged. NJ. Mendes, however,
demanded signed agreement from Nine. Sarah
that his play should begin at Easter and con-
sinue until June. which would involve the
Throwing up OF her engagement in London and
3orfeiting thereby $4,000. Upon Mime. Sarah's
refusal 20 make such q cast iron contract about
q play before II had proved its success with the
public. NJ. Menoes morning went TO the
Theatre Sarah Bernhard during her absence
and Nine. Sarah states that he walked off with
both his manuscripts, my copy and that Of the
prompter." The poets excuse is that he had
at Nine. Sarahs request withdrawn his play
from the Co1nedie FRANCHISE on the under
standing that she would give It a sufficiently
long run. and that he has been at work four
years on the play he wants II 20 live more than
a few weeks. and he cannot take it back to
the Comedis Francaise again he says he is
going to lay Il tenderly in drawer. That
drawer, he says VIII be its tiny coffin, in which
he Will and again place a red rose in
ndrniration for Nine. Sarah and violets in token