The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-04
BATTLE CRY OF PEACE
An INFORMING SERMON
|, Entire Lack of adequate De-
fensive Equipment.
QUOTES HIRAM MAxIMs BOOK
Appeal Is Presented In Story Form.
Showing as 1t Unfolds All the Hor-
rors of Nation Attacked by Strong
Enemy.

The Battle CRY or Peace, the
widely advertised and described mo-
/ ton picture from the studios of the
Vitagraph Company. after a long New
! York run and "a simultaneous exhi-
bition in the larger cities of the coun-
try, had its first Richmond showing
at the Strand last night before n full
house, beginning a two weeks en-
gagement in most satisfactory man
ner. This picture is. considered from
it's real worth, artistic merit and mo-
tive, an attenuated sermon upon a
momentous, timely and all absorbing
topic with the American people at
this juncture. the preparedness of this
nation against war.
The text of the sermon is the die
turn oft reiterated through the run
OF the picture that the most efficient
guarantee of peace Is a thorough and
adequate preparation for, or rather
against. war.
The appeal Ii presented in the form
of story, with no pretense to dra-
matte value or intricacy of plot,
whose characters are formed of two
representative American families of
the middle class and aristocracy, re-
| spectively. The son OF the former is a
sutton for the hand of the daughter
Of the latter, and over the peaceful
/ homes of the nation the cloud of war,
! insignificant at first. rapidly increas-
ing. breaks with all its marian fury,
leaving suffering, death and despera-
ton in its wake.
The head of the wealthy family
typifies the advocate of peace OBJ
tanned by disarmament and prayer,
the son of the poorer breaches the
theory of preparedness, to enforce
xzfh frt. dnr Ell la ha
constantly obvious purPort of the en-
| tire film.
! The first portion of the picture is
based upon theories from Maxim's
recent book. "Defenseiess Am erica,
quotations from which are highly IL
Illustrated and embeiIished by scenes
OF this land OF plenty IN time of peace
with its people in pursuit Of manufac-
lures and agricultural occupations.
Interpolated arc numerous facts,
I figures and diagrams in proof of the
/ statements made. and then are shown
the most effective means of prepare
! ton BY land. sea and air against hos
tile invasion. in which particular
pains is taken to emphasize our alb
surd and startling deficiency as IA
world power in these respects.
The film then proceeds with IT'S
)
/ ages. showing the homes in time of
| peace. threatening hostliities inva-
sion, real warfare and its horrible ac-
compartments. And in the horrors
depicted, realism is carried to the ex-
IRENE, the feelings of the audience
not being spared in the least degree.
following the tragic humiliation of
practically all the dramatis personae,
the film winds up with final pre-
sentiment of more startling facts and
figures. and the majority of the be-
holders depart with a firmly inn
pressed conviction that If. in our
present situation, we should be
dragged into the existing Arranged
don. our lot would be indeed depler-
able
Upon the lips of nearly all present
| last night was comparison with
1.-THE Birth OF a Nation" but to our
mind such a comparison IL distinctly
unfair to The Battle Cry OF Peace"
and equally unprofitable- That pic
ture is an epic. dramatic narrative
OF intense interest, depicting the de-
velopment OF our country in its for
NATIVE process through a crisis un-
, precedented in the worlds history.
Whereas, this picture is evidently the
means devised by a certain organiZa-
ton for the PRONUNCIATION ana en-
forcement of its theories. From the
standpoint OF artistic worth and
screen photography 1t is a far cry
from the Vitagraph producers to Da-
vtd W. Griffith, The picture at the
Strand is. too, distinctly weakened by
the absence OF an accompanying
travelling musical organization,
small orchestra of local musicians.
with little rehearsing. furnishing the
z lrn fol mr. the film
bears evidence at times of much
usage But on the other hand IL
can be seen for half the price of
Griffith's picture. Taking everything
into consideration we can cheerfully
commend II 10 those who seek in.
formation and enlightenment upon
subject which should occupy a very
prominent place in, the thought OF
every loyal and patriotic American
citizen. {. +.