New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-08
WAR WILL AID
ARTS, SAYS PINERO
Playwright Predicts I'm
provement in Painting
and the Drama.

London, Oct 7.-Confessing himself
sn ardent optimist, Sir Arthur Pinero
in an interview expressed cheerful
opinions as to the beneficial results Of
the war on the arts in general, and
German kultur in particular.
The distinguished playwright pref
sced his remarks by the statement that
he had received many letters from
prominent Americans containing eX-
pressions Of regret that the United
States was obliged to stand outside
"thi. great effort 10 assert the rights
of civilization"
To the direct question, do you think
the United States should enter the
struggle with the Allies?' Sir Arthur
simply replied, however: Zone can't
teach the American people where their
interests lie, but il is a great comfort
TO the English people to feel that moth
ing has occurred TO disturb the friend
illness of our relations"
Observing that his profession had led
him 20 study all types of humanity, the
dramstist said: II find that down TO
the humblest classes British subjects
desire 10 crush utterly the militaristic
spirit. This sentiment is implanted
more firmly than one ever could have
imagined before the war. Every Briton
knows definitely why he is fighting, and
means to continue fighting until the
German military cloud, obscuring the
sunshine Of the world, is finally dis
persed.
Zone Of the greatest misfortunes the
conflict has brought 10 the Nsterland
is the loss of its sense of humor. IL is
this lack of humor which is responsible
for the German campaign of calumnies
in America. So far as that is con-
cerned, trust 10 the native intel
ligence Of the American citizen, for he
cannot be easily gulled.
Speaking seriously and as an opti-
mist, | am firmly convinced that cult
ure-not the PrusSisn variety, Of
couYse-will be benefited through this
war. and so will the equally important
culture of the remainder of the civil
lied world.
"The Germans culture for many
years past has led them nowhere be-
cause Of the overweening military am
billions that have cIogged its progress,
Freed from those false gods, Ger
mans eventually may "eally find their
place in the intellectual sun az least
what effect will the war have on
arts in general Sir Arthur was asked.
They will emerge" he replied from
the vicissitudes under which they must
cuffer temporary eclipse strength
cred. purified. reinspired. | think this
great war will do vast good TO the arts
Of all tie countries affected. We shall
have less cynicism, larger admiration
and appreciation Of what is SOUND and
GOOD in life. a clearer and more direct
vision of what life really Is.
look at the inspiration your Civil
War became 70 your poets, writers ana
painters One might almost say it ere
ated American art as IL is to-day
"That splendor sculptor, Saint eau
dens. found marvellous inspiration IN
the Civil War and the men il produced,
and but for that frightful struggle
there might never have been Stain
Gaudens.
an times of long continued peace the
minds of artists get fixed on small,
finicking things. There is no room for
that now, and there won't be for many
years 10 come.
"As far as the drama is concerned
we have no fear. We will keep the fag
Aving in the theatres as on the held
Of battle. But with half the families
of England in mourning and the other
half expecting TO be one can't hope TO
fill the plsyhouses. We must bear IN
mind that for the arts the present ls
seed time. The harvest will come
later