New-York tribune., 1914-11-20
ART HERE CREETS
EUGENE BRIEUX
Guest at Meeting of Amer
ican Academy and Ma
tiOnaI Institute.
READS LETTER FROM
POINCARE TO WILSON
First Representative of French
Body to Officially Visit
Kindred Association.

For the first time since its founda-
tion by Cardinal Richelieu, in 1886, the
French Academy has sent a representa-
tive to foreign academy. Eugene
BrieuX, the French dramatist. was yes
terday the guest OF the American Acad-
emy and National Institute. holding its
annual meeting at Aeolian Hall.
William Dean Howells, president OF
the Academy, asserted that the honor
conferred by the French body on the
American was beyond the gift of
thrones, principalities and powers, an
honor which no money could buy, and
beyond all praise
"Perhaps they realized" he added,
turning courteously to VI. Brieux. that
in coming to the nation Lafayette aided
our guest still would be in his own
country, among people united with
his in their spirit Of democracy and
vowed to the same great aims
Greetings in the name of the city
were extended By Mayor Mitchell, who
spoke, also, 0f the growing artistic in
terests OF New York and its priceless
collections.
VI. Bueux read President Poincar6's
message to President Wilson, sent in
reply to an invitation to attend the
meeting Of the Academy. lie wore the
uniform Of the famous French institu-
ton black coat. green collar and cuffs
and long lapels. and was loudly ap-
plauded as he came forward and said:
"l have been commissioned by VI.
Poincare. President Of the Republic OF
France and member Of the French
Academy. to deliver TO Mr.. Wilson.
President Of the Republic OF the United
States and member Of the American
Academy. the following letter:
Nj President and Ulu.trious Coufrere:
few moaih, ago Nr Butler was good enough 20
invite mo o. attend th. annual session of the Amcr
rsn Acale.., of Art .rI Letters Although ug de-
sire 90 tale advantage ~ th's opportunity 70 meet
'our cfCcilcny was most Keen, teaied i1ai iue
duties of ny ONCE would not allow me to accept hla
Kind invitation.
Tie appalling events which have since taken place
in Europe aUd which are of vital Importance i0 tNc
cause of popular liberty Of course make t iniu.
sihc for me- to absent myself from France al ths
time / cannot. however allow VI. brtA 70 ItaNt
without asking him tO transmit io sou ihc renewed
assurance of my feelings ~ friendship and regard.
The Academic Frangase. iaiiliui slaIl %. ,Ne h.
t,aP iIaallio,s h-Yt,rt ,,ir,,stio'. , America
ihe greeting of 'hs old and undying CIVILIZATION oi
tnc Mediterranean. 49,
sor4f cturession of ily intense admiration for the
great republic over whose destinies sou preside so
constant sympaihy ana interest which the free
democracy that have the honor 70 represent has
w have have fis' me honor bon 70 bs. faithfully yours,
NJ. Brieux spoke Of the sympathy
v hich had gone out 10 France from
this country during her present trial,
and then. after remarking whimsicdlly
that he had been told 10 speak about
himself. said that all his work had
been a protest against the abuse OF
power.
"Tyrants are found not only on
thrones. but in the home" he said.
Doctors and Judges abuse power, the
former putting medicine of which they
know little into bodies Of which 'hpy
know nothing. and the latter deciding
cases before they are tried. The press.
too. is i'm @ democracy a power OF the
first Importance, and nothing is more
hateful than when this power debasCs
itself to serve interests or TO SATISFY y
revenge and unjustiiiable ambitions, or
when it is employed to spread lies,
scandals and insults.
"On the other hand, the part it plays
when it seeks 10 redress abuse and
educate people to better things rs the
greatest Of all parts. It's function
and that OF the theatre is 10 educate
people. to make them better"
VI. BrieuX expressed gratitude at the
understanding which Americans. not
misled by French novelists, displayed
of Frenchwomen and Of the power aud
faith al the heart Of France.
Brander Matthews, president OF the
institute. read letter from President
Wilson regrettinc his inability TO be
present and welcoming NJ. BrieuX. Pro
fessor Matthews, who read a paper on
Pure English" said the purest English
was that created in the workshop and
the market place. Only words used by
the masses we're pure English, he said.
Robert Herrick, discussing the
Quality of Imagination in American
Life" paid a tribute to the Presidents
Mexican policy, asserting it was the
triumph Of the new diplomacy over the
old.
The afternoon session was taken up
by a presentation of orchestral music
by the symphony Society of New York,
Walter Damrosch conducting. The pro-
gramme comprised d symphonic poem
bv r. s. Converse, part of a symphony
by Frederick A. Stock, fantasies by Ar
thur Whiting and Charles VI. Loeiiler
and an overture by David Stanley
Smith.
To-day's session will open at 1890
o'clock.
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