Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07

OF my time in Germany, and that. being
an American, was made great fuss Of
i went to Germany to enter the opera
school at Coburg, and In due course was
engaged to sing at the theatre there, which
is under the patronage OF the Duke Of Co.
burg, to TO whom | am indebted for many
acts of kindness.
Playing in Germany l learned to speak
German fairly we'll. but what Is more. I
learned to appreciate the good qualities Of
the German people. among whom there
are good and bad ones as in any other
nation. They certainly treated inc with
every kindness and courtesy, and it would
have been the basest ingratitude on my
part not to have acknowledged this.
All the facts are very necessary to ap-
preciate in their proper light what follows.
In the Spring | came to London and saw
Mr.. Arthur Collins. who, after hearing me
sing, engaged me to take the part Of the
principal girl in Drury Lane pantomime.
While waiting appeared at the Empire
When ! started rehearsals at Drury Lane
found that apart from the pantomilue
Itself the only topic discussed was the
war. and unless | chose to allow myself
to be considered tongue-tied had TO dis.
cuss the war In common with others, for
there was nothing else being talked abo'
Had known what l know now, of course,
nothing on earth would have induced me
to say word about the war, but, quite
innocent OF any intention to give offense
l certainly did join in the discussions, and
on those occasions it Is perfectly true |
said had a great liking for tho Germans
In a theatre With people 10 whom the war
vas brought home more Immediately than
1t could possibly be 10 me by the fact #
their having relatives IL the fighting line
1t would have been more tactful Of me not
to have emphS sized my liking for the Ger
man people. My point OF view was some
what different from theirs. They have
near and dear ones al the front; have no
one.
was told by one members OF Tho
company that | ought not TO express my
liking for the Germans, but not being a
hyprocrite | asked him TO say what harm
there was In my saying so II 1t wer1 tru-.
and the answer got was that 1t was not
t. suitable remark To make in an English
theatre To the extent OF not understand
Ing the serious way in which such a nat
ural remark would be resented, l blum.
dered. and Numbered badly
Remarks which ! am supposed to have
made about the Scarborough raid imply
that have found satisfaction In any mis-
fortunes suffered by the British. This Is
quite false and entirely opposed 10 nv
feelings. The basest Interpretation has
been placed upon few thongntless obser.
vations.
English officer friends OF mine who
know in which direction my gyrnpathies
lie have gone so far as to say to me that
Il is jolly good thing for England that
the Germans have come. as 1t will help
TO make England realize tnc task she has
IN hand. 1t Is quite possible that having
no opinions OF my own on the war, ] NAV
nave echoed this remark but becausc I
had committed the folly OF expressing my
liking for the Germans am therefore
suspected in all ] say. and what English
OFFICERS may say with propriety, observe
J. an American subject, am forbidden.
When the Fornid able sank no one could
nave been sadder than | wag and ut.
very oeh! having made any remark cap
abe or bearing the opposite interpreta.
uoh. 1t must not be forgotten that, be.
ing an American, ! never could expert.
ehcc inc intensity OF emotions which the
var aroHses in the people of the countries
VINO are hghtinE. The suggegtion tina, !
nave sent letters 10 German officers while
nave been at the theatre IL based IN t4,o
distortion OF Il harmless and trisinc- In.
Glueht; Never since have been al Drurv
-ahe nave addressed u single letter to