The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-07-19
OLDEST PRINCE
WASVENERAbLE
DUKE GEORGE Il
HIS LATE DEATH HAS SERVED
TO DIRECT ATTENTION TO THE
GREAT SERVICES WHICH HE
HAS RENDERED FOR GERMAN
STAGE.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.


Berlin. July 1S.-The death of the
VeHera BILE Duke George II. Of Sake
Meiningen, who was the oldest reign
ing prince of Europe, has directed at
tention to his great services for the
German stage. 1t may be doubtful
whether any other ruler did so much
to elevate the character of the stages
offerings and the taste of the people.
The dukes interest in this line began
in the sos. and the first dramatlst
to whom he turned attention was
Shakespeare. In 1872, after the death
of his second wife, he married Ellen
Franz, a talented actress of the Mein-
ingen court theatre, and henceforth
devoted all his spare time 10 theatre
cal affairs.
Shakespeare. Kleist, Schiller and
other great dramatists were given pre-
sensations of a character far in ad-
vance Of anything previously seen in
Germany. In the '70'S and SOS the
''Meininser,' as the court actors of
Sake NJ einingcn were termed, were
the criterion by which all other ser
ious actors We're judged. In his last
years the Duke became deaf, but his
interest in the theatre was strong UNI
til the last
To Duke George the inhabitants of
SAKE Meinirgen owe it that they are
citizens Of a sovereign state of the
empire. His father was a bitter en-
envy Of Prussia, and when the war
with Austria broke out in 1866, be alb
Dictated in favor of George IL, in pre-
ference to joining forces with Prus-
STA. George. a warm friend of Prus-
STA, promptly cast his lot with her ana
thus saved Sake einirgen from the
fate that met HesSe-NasSa u. the ruler
OF which, joining hands with Austria,
lost his throne and saw his land be-
come a PrusSian province.
The newspapers hay been HrOduC-
ing some delightful anecdotes in con-
nection with the dukes theatrical ac-
tivities. Ludwig Barnay, who has
since become one of the leading actors
of Germany, played Hamlet with the
"Meininger" some forty years ago. At
the rehearsals it was the custom of
the duke to sit alone in the audience
room and make his comments from
time 20 time on the work of the actors.
In the scene of Hamlet with the play
ers Barnay spoke IN a rather care
less, amateur manner the lines that
Hamlet quoted from the imaginary
play as addressed by AeneaS to Queen
Dido The duke was not pleased and
remarked: Il think, Herr Barnay that
this speech must not be spoken in
such trivial. conversational tone, but
in a finer style" Barnay answered
that Hamlet was only a dilletante, and
no actor. to which the duke replied
that Hamlet Polonjus bestowed very
high praise uDn Hamlet's defamation.
says Barnay. | answered: Yes, YOUR
hiGhness; but Polonius was a cour-
tier and such people always regard
everything that a prince does as some
thing wonderful" The dukes only
reply to this sally was a peal of
laughter that rang through the the
atre.
Paul Lindau, we'll known for nearly
two generations of Germans as writer
and theatrical manager, served the
duke in the latter function in the early
days of the 'Meininger'; but after sev
er&l years he came to the conclusion
that the little town of Melningen af-
forded 200 narrow a field for him and
sent in his resignation. "A poet" he
wrote, needs the great city. needs
never have at Meiningeu. Here my
poetic gift IS wasting away; ] can do
no creative work here" The duke ac-
copied the resignation, but wrote on
the margin: Herr Lindau should go
to BauerbaCh; Schiller wrote mis- Don
Carlos there"
Bernhard Frederick. the new duke.
might have become one of Germany's
military leaders but for an incident
which throws a significant light on
the attitude of those in authority to-
ward the mistreatment of soldiers.
The duke who had taken part in the
Franco German war a = lieutenant.
became later commanding general of
the sixth army corps. While he held
this post a soldier committed suicide
to escape continued maltrcatment by
a non commissioned officer. The af
fair. unfortunately by no means the
first of its kind, drew from Bernhard
d sharp order against such brutality.
The order provided that every case Of
mishandlng was to be reported to the
general commanding forthwith and
that the order should be read 10 all Of
ficers, non-co commissioned officers and
priyates at least three timessyearly.