The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-06

OF my time in Germany, and that. being
an American, I was made a great fuss of.
] went 10 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 I learned to speak
German fairly well, but what is more.
learned 10 appreciate the good qualities OF
the German people. among whom there
are good and bad ones. as in any other
nation They certainly treated me with
every Kindness and courtesy. and IL would
have been the basest ingratitude on my
part not to have acknowledged this.
All the facts are very necessary 10 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 pantomlme.
while waiting appeared at the Empire
When l started rehearsals at Drury Lane
found that apart from the pantomime
itself the only topic discussed was the
war. and unless I chose to allow myself
TO be considered tongue-tied i had to dis
cuss the war In common with others. for
there was nothing else being talked abo'
Had known what know now. OF course.
nothing ON earth would have induced me
20 say a word about the war. but, quite
innocent of any intention 10 give offense
| certainly a. ioin In the discussions. and
on those occasions II is perfectly true
said had a great liking for the Germans.
Stlll am bound 20 admit that playing
In a theatre With people TO whom the war
was brought home more Immediately than
It could possibly be TO me by the fact 20
their having relatives in the fighting line
II would have been more tactful OF me not
TO have emphasized my liking for the Ger
man people. My point Of view was some
what different from theirs. They have
near and dear ones at the front; have no
one.
/ was told by one members OF The
company that I ought not 70 express my
liking for the Germans. but not being a
hyprocrite asked him 10 say what harm
there was in my saying so n Il wer5 tru-.
and me answer got was that Il was not
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. I blum
dered, and Numbered badly.
Remarks which I am supposed 20 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 20 my
feelings. The basest Interpretation has
been placed upon a few thouehtless obssF.
vations
English officer friends Of mine who
know in which direction my sympathies
lie have gone 20 far as % say to me that
70 r. Jolly rood thins Tor England that
the Germans have soms. as Il viii help
70 mako England realize the task she has
IN hand. u is quite possible that. having
no opinions Of my own on the war. ! may
have echoed this remark. but because I
had committed the folly OF expressing ny
liking for the Germans 7 am therefore
suspected In all ] say. and what English
officers may say with propriety. observe
]. an American subject an forbidden.
When the Formidable sank no one could
have been sadder than was. and 7 ut
terly deny having made any remark can
able Of bearing the opposite interpreta.
ton. 70 must not b. forgotten that. BE-
ing en- American. 7 never could expert
enco The Intensity OF emotions which the
var arouses in The people o. The countries
Who are aght.ng. The suggestion nat I
have sent letters 10 German officers while
haFo been 90 the theatre Ir based on fbo
distortion 0f harmless end trifinr ir.
cldeut Never since 1 have bae, a. r,-,,..,
lane have Z addressed a single Ieffsr 10