The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-10
CRITICISM OF APLAY
STARTS A $4,000 SUIT
"Zabern" q Hit, Adolf Philip
Says, Till German Militarists
Urged Boycott.

The Adolf Philip Company, which con-
ducts the theatre OF that name in East
Fifty-seventh street, has brought suit
against the Deutsches kriegerbund, or
German Soldier Society. and Christoph
Rebhan. its president, for $4,000 damages.
IL also has started n suit against several
editions OF one German newspaper and
against another German newspaper. and
according to X. Marks. the corporations
attorney, there may he more to come.
The litigation grows out OF the pro-
duction Of tho German military play IA
bern on January % In this city. Ac-
cording to the complaints the defendants
were too energetic In their criticism OF
the play. which was based on the recent
military riots IN the Alsatian city. and
descended to anlmadversions which caused
the play TO die an untimely death, to the
great financial damage OF the plaintiff.
The complaint says that Adolf Philip,
who Ia president of the company. also AN
actor, "a singer. an author. manager
and n producer adapted the play from
the German. II was written by news
paper man OF the city where the military
and the citizens clashed IL is admitted
that the villains Of the piece we're military
officers particularly one young lieutenant
and another elderly military commander
Relations between the garrison and the
townspeople of Zabern were already
strained In 1913 when Lieut.. Baron Won
Forstner said he would willingly give
10 marks out OF his own pocket to any
soldier who ran his bayonet through a
''wack" (blackguard), which il a deadly
insult to an Alsatian. with his memories
Of France. Won Forstner was Kissed every
time he appeared In the streets and finally
he sabred a crippled shoemaker
There were small clashes. with threats
OF mob law on one side and bullets on
another. until the ACCESSIBILITY OF putting
the city under martial law was seriously
discussed. The whole nffair ended in a
court-martial In which the military was
whitewashed but II stirred up the empire
until the German Chancellor received a
vote OF no confidence In the Reichstag.
! II afforded the Socialists and anti-mili-
/ tarists abundant material for attacks on
sabre rule" and worried the Emperor.
| 1t was only two or three days after
the first performance that the Krieger-
bund which is made up of men who
served In the army of the Fatherland.
! passed n long resolution which declared
/ the play TO be IA scandal. bringing the
German army into ridicule. trampling the
| German flag In the mud. and wound up
by calling upon all societies to dlscoun-
tensnce the play.
The complaint says that Just before
! the resolutions were published In the
German newspapers the theatre was
crowded with appreciative audiences, an
| American manager was dckering for q
translation and the season seemed as
sured of success. Afterward-well. the
complaint says. "Zabern" surrendered
| without terms.
Mr.. Marks said yesterday that his com.
plants speak for themselves. Mr. Reb.
han said II is the duty OF his society
ana other German-Amerlcan societies &c
do all IN their power TO prevent the per.
petuating of anything likely to brins
ridicule. scandal and Ill repute upon the
German Empire.