Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-19
PRINCE ELEVATED DRAMA
Late Ruler Of Saxe-Meininger Per-
formed Service for People.
COURT THEATER AS STANDARD
Character of stages Offerings and
Taste Of the Patrons Improved
Under Hts PatronREe-New
Duke is Popular.

Under Hts PatronREe--New
Duke is Popular.
BERLIN. July 1s-The death OF the
venerable Duke George II Of sexe-Mein-
ingen, who was the Oldest reigning price
Of Europe, has directed attention TO hts
great services for the German stage II
may be doubtful whether any other ruler
did so much 20 elevate the character OF
the stages offerings and the taste Of the
people. Tho dukes interest in this line
began in the sixties. and the first dra-
natist 10 whom he turned attention was
Shakespeare. In 1872. after the death Of
his second wife. he married Ellen Franz,
a talented actress OF the Meiningen court
theater. and henceforth devoted ell his
spare time 20 theatrical affairs.
Shakespeare, Kleist. Schiller and other
great dramatists were given presentations
Of character far in advance Of anything
previously seen In Germany. In the
seventies and eighties the "Meininger,"
as the court actors Of saxe-Meinlngen
were termed. were the criterion by which
all other serious actors were Judged In
his last year the duke became deaf. but
his interest In the theater was strong un-
I'll the last.
To Duke George the inhabitants of
-Meiningen owe II that they are citi-
zens OF sovereign OF the empire. His
father was a bitter enemy OF Prussia,
and when the war with Austria broke out
in 1856 he addicted in favor Of George II,
in preference 70 Joining forces with Prus-
sia, George, n warm friend OF Prussia,
promptly cast his lot with Prussia and
thus saved SAKE Meiningen from the fate
that met Hesse-Nassau, the ruler Of
which. joining hands with Austria lost
his throne and saw his land become q
Prussian province.
Many neIiphtfuI Anecdotes.
The newspapers have been producing
some delightful anecdotes in connection
with the dukes theatrical activities.
Ludwig Barney, who has since became
one Of the leading actors OF Germany,
played Hamlet with the ''Meininger'
some forty years ago. At the rehearssls
Il was the custom Of the duke 70 sit
alone in the audience room and make his
comments from time to time on the work
OF the actors. In the scene OF Hamlet
with the players Bernay spoke In a rather
careless amateur manner the lines that
Hamlet quoted from the imaginary play
as addressed by Aeneas 70 Queen Dido.
The duke was not pleased and remarked:
Il think. Herr Barney. that this speech
must not be spoken IN such a trivial. con-
versationnl tone but in a finer style"
Barney answered that Hamlet was only
a dillitante, and no actor, to which the
duke replied that Polonlus bestowed very
high praise upon Hamlet's defamation.
TN my eagernesa 20 defend my view"
says Barnay, answered: Yes, your
highness; but Polonius was a courier, and
such people always regard everything
that a prince does as something wonder
full" The dukes only reply TO this sally
was a peal Of laughter than rang through
the theater.
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 several
years he came to the conclusion that the
little town Of Meiningen afforded too
narrow field for him and sent in his
resignation. "A poet" he wrote, needs
the great city; needs strong Impressions
and this he can never have at Meiningen.
Here my poetic gift is wasting away; l
can do no creative work here" The
duke accepted the resignation. but wrote
on the margin: Herr landau should go
10 Bauerbach; Schiller wrote his Don
Carlos there"
New Ruler Ii Popular.
Bernhard Frederick. the new duke,
might have become one OF Germanys
military leaders but for an incident which
throws a significant light on the attitude
OF those in authority toward the mis-
treatment of soldiers. The duke. who had
taken part in the Franco-German war as
a lieutenant, became later commanding
general OF the sixth army corps While
he held this post a soldier committed
suicide 20 escape continued maltreatment
by noneommissioned officer. The affair.
unfortunately by no means the first OF
its kind. drew from Bernhard a sharp
order against such brutality. Tho order
provided that every case OF mishandllng
was to be reported TO the general COM
mandinE forthwith and that the order
should be read 10 all officers. nonApm-
missloned officers and privates at least
three times yearly.
The order was generally acclaimed by
the public. but II evoked the shArpest
dlspleasure OF the officer corps and OF the
reactionary press. Great was the aston
ishment OF civilian circles a few weeks
later when It was learned that Bernhard
had. In a personal letter from the EN-
peror. been commanded to withdraw the
order. and that he had therouIrsn ~
signed. His conduct evoked wide SYM
pathy for his humanity and sense Of
justice. and he is still popular because OF
his stand at that time.
The new duke is 50 years old. He has
found time. aside from his military duties
20 make himself an authority in ancient
Greek literature and he bears the popular
name OF "The Scholar" He married In
1878 the Princess Charlotte OF Prussia.
eldest sister OF the emperor.