New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-30
BY ARTHUR RI HI.

by ARTHUR RUIZ
Al Adolf Philips little German theatre
in East 57th street-a place not unlike Mr.
Ames's Little Theatre in size and shape
the adventurous playGoer may have the
rather unusual experience Of hearing Ger
tain aspects Of German militarism at
tackled in the language Of the Fatherland
IT is perhaps overaccentng It's purpose
somewhat to call Mr.. schumacher's IA
bern" an "anu-German play" for
chorus behind the scenes is stouty sing
ing The Watch on the Rhine" as the
curtain goes down Yet the sympathy
throughout the play is all against the
German officers and all for the Alsatian
recruit-who is finally shot down by 4
German soldier as he Is trying to escape
from prison-and for his white haired
grandfather. who fought against Ger
many IN the days OF II. and. though he
keeps an inn on German soil. still wears
the medal Of the Legion Of Honor on
his chest.
The piece is said 10 have been written
10y L. Schumacher. the editor OF a news
paper AT Zabern and Socialist Demo
crat but evidently--to Judge by various
references to the tango and some OF the
more or less relevant comedy-it mas been
prettv thoroughly arranged" for local
production by Mr. Philip himself. The
result IS rather hybrid concoction IN
teresting. nevertheless, partly as an Ell
tertainn1ent and partly AS dramatic
editorial from an anti-military point OF
view on history so recent that IL mas
scarcely left the days news.
Zabern is town in Alsace. little TO
the west Of Strassburg. II was here ina,
Colonel Won Reuter- and Lieutenant Schad'
If the gath Infantry we're recently trieu
bv court martial. charged with making
illegal arrests. wilful assaults ana as
turning the peace generally-tried ana
ACQUITTED. The verdict was hailed as
victory By militarists and denounced py
more radical Germans as an Endorsement
Of sabre rule" and a defeat OF civil law
The sabring Of cripple was one or tue
charges made against the German orll-
GERS. and the excitement stirred up u!
this clash of civil and military law be-
came more general and acute when the
C.arnnan Crown Prince was reported 10
have sent kilograms to the commandaht
AT Zabern praisng him and ursins MN "
continue with his severity.
The action Of the play centres about an
old veteran Of the Franco-Prussian war
and his grandson, Franz. The old man.
French by early training end German ol
later necessity and in benign anu goou
natured fashion adapting himsef 10 MS
situation. keeps a little hotel. The Ger
man flag flies over II. he himself speaks
German and German officers and soldiers
from the nearby garrison come 10 sit AZ
the little tables in front Of his place, SIP
their white wine and beer and enjoy tAe
view. This latter Director Philipp mas
ventured TO make rather more mashih-
cent than II is in nature. thanks 10
pretty backdrop used in another produc-
ton. and although the actual IaDern is III
q dry country Herr Hilman's hotel II
set on a hill overlooking what appears u
he a large Swiss or Italian lake.
Young Franz first gets into trouble by
rushing in 10 TO greet ms srandia'hei
and sweetheart-Who serves as WAITRESS
ir tho little inn-without seeing the smart
voung Lieutenant Won Forstner. who eye
glass in hts eve and hand resting on ms
sword is Iazily taking his wine at one OF
tho tables. The supercilious young oincer
rakes the boy up and down. orders MN 10
salute. march off. halt. march back again
a,s etc and finally sends him OFF 10 the
guard house
II appears that one OF the amusemehH
of this Young officer and Mr.. Ernst Maui
mann excellently looks the part-vas 10
call Alsacian recruits before him ana
make them repeat after him, word ny
word. "I-am-a-'Wackes. This IL
seems. is slang phrase for "Alsaclah'
with a variety Of insulting meanings. In
the second act. young Franz. on being
ordered 10 repeat tho phrase refuses. ana
Indignantly declares that he is an ASA
clan and that his parents were respecta-
bio people. Meanwhile he and three OF MS
comrades have protested 10 the editor OF
the Zabern paper about Lieutenant Forst-
nsr's behavior-here, doubtless, Is "here
Editor Schumacher comes Inland Tor thls
breach of military discipline they are all
sent TO prison.
The old man lights for his grandson al
through. and ends by turning against MS
second fatherland. transating the sign
on his inn into French. speaking French
himself whenever he can. and refusing To
serve German soldiers. His grandson. es-
Gaming from prison. stops 10 say soodby
before crossing the border. is discovered
by a German soldier on the lookout for
him and shot. lie dies In his sweet
hearts aims. while the old grandfather
raises imploring hands 10 deaf heaven
and a chorus IN the wings sings Die
Wacht am Rhein' surely as adrot an
example OF managerial tght-rope walk
ing as one often secs-as the final curtain
falls.
Comedy OF various sorts Is distributed
a, intervals through this tragic story.
There is a comical military serving maid
and very funny she is, as played by
Miss Lieschen Schumann-who is engaged
IN a comic sergeant doth these droli
creatures might have just stepped out OF
mic FljecenGe Batter. there Is tall
hald headed, polite and absent minded
1fttlo sumner t,a rty