New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-12-06
Americas Guilt.

OtuAiaiHJ WneH press notices OF
photo-plays and other stage productions
are handed to us for publication in the
Review we mark them "adv'' and pub
llsh them exactly as given us with
lout comment, leaving the reader to
supply the grain OF salt" for his own
consumption. However, we find it diff
ticult to pass by the letter of "A Plain
British Soldier which is a part of The
press notices for the film-drama, "CiviIi-
zatlon'', which G. J. Woodmansee of the
Ruby Theatre has secured for presenta-
ton in New Ulm December 18th and
18th. Because of the contents of the
letter, the picture it draws of the world
calamity, we are impelled to give the
letter such prominence as it would re-
ceive were it written by some one we'll
known to us. We in America do not
realize the horrors that we are helpinp
to prolong by furnishing the warning
nations with money and food and nu-
nitions. We cannot understand how
wicked America is to aid in the horrible
work until we read of and see and
realize the effects of the conflict. The
letter, press notice, tho it be, is one of
the most heart-reaching of .utterances,
that have been provoked by the terrible
devastation Of the all-engulfng cata-
strophe. Read it and decide whether
you as a citizen of civilized" world
have any right to assist in prolonging
the struggle even tho your motive may
be pity for the innocent victims. See
the pictures and ask yourself what right
America has to furnish the sinews of war
to any of the pitiless nations too stub
born to cease their wicked devastation.
The letter follows:
New York City, June 3rd, 1916
Thos. H. Ince, Esq.
Producer of Civilization"
Criterion Theatre,
New York.
Dear Mr.. Ince:-
For one who has been through the
Gehenna of Nations in France and for
the millions who remain, as I went, to
lay down my life for the defence of my
country and my loved ones, thank you,
sir, with simple soldiers prayer that
your wonderful picture Civilization
(Which l saw here tonight) may waken
your own great race to the Demoniac
madness of modern war. What you in
your mighty screen sermon have de-
picted-vivid, remorseless and truly
horrible as it isis but the least part of
the Saturnalia of war.
Picture the stencil of your comrades
rotting in death by your side as YOU are
despatched by the hot blood of others,
freshly butchered in all the blistering
heat and volcanic thunder of shrieking
shells and belching guns! Then, in the
black and deadlier silence of night, while
you lie half-buried in muddy, bloody
slime, hour after hour, waiting for hell's-
fire to burst out from earth and sky
again, to feel the n,aggots, that are de-
vouring in their millions the men you
have lived and fought by, crawling orer !
your oUn bring carcass, as your brain
reels in delirium at the sights and
sounds you hear and see, and at those
struggling souls you feel above and
about you, still fighting ghost battle IN
the ar, as if not realizing Death!
Then-the thoughts of home, of the
anguish of loved ones, their lack of
your support helpless women, hungry
babes God! You can't think of
it! |
No! Not even you, whose vision
seems to have been made prophetic, !
clear and pure with the power of great
God-purpose. can write no more.
l can think of no more that dare write.
But, sir, you have in "Civilization" done
a great work for God and for the Sons
of that Man who made us all in His
image.
Let every man, woman and child 20
to see this picture. Let them see in it
that world tragedy we, whom write for,
have come through. Let them see
in it the dethronement of these
Physical with all its false idols and the
awakening to Christ's Kingdom on
earth of a new and a fuller Spiritual
Consciousness, born of Brotherhood and
Self Control, which in it's turn shall give
birth to New Race, with liberty-loving,
hospitable America as it's home.
May God bless and prosper you as the
world will thank you is the hearts
prayer of
Yours for civilization
"a Plain British Soldier"
formerly of End Worcs Bait. R. F. Az
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