The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-08
LIVE FOR ENGLAND"
SPIRIT At STRATFORD
Ideals Of Sacrifice Pervade
Historic Birthplace Of Bard
Of Avon.

sTRATFoRD-oN-AvoN, May g.
ct like to think that the spirit OF
Shakespeare still lives in his native
town; l believe II does The people
here are brought up to feel that their
duty Is to give to their country. not
merely to get what they can out OF
1t. and they have shown the effect OF
this upbringing ever since the war
began"
The speaker was the mayor OF this
town. the world famous WarwiS hn
peare. Stratfords chief magistrate Is
A, z. Flower, one of the towns most
substantial citizens and scion OF
family whose members have been
among the most generous votarles az
the shrine OF the bard. He referred,
with true civic pride. to the part which
Stratford Is taking In the war 1. /.
Had II not been for the war II Is
safe to say that Stafford next month
on the occa sion OF the Shakespeare ter
centenary, would have been the scene
OF one OF the most remarkable series
OF commemorative ceremonis ever
held in this country. Every one OF
paid homage to Shakespeare by pre-
senting its flag to Stratford to be un,,
furled in connection with the annual
celebration OF the poets birthday,ano
have been represented at what was in
tended to be the greatest festival ever
attempted In his honor. Even the
Kaiser's players probably would nave
been among, the actors appearing az az
the Memorial Theater," commented the
mayor somewhat grimly.
Plans on Foot tFor Years.
For several years preparation for cele.
brating the Shakespeare tercentenary
-. hAFa II
one Of the results yesterday at New
Place. the museum which now STANDS
next to all that remains OF the founda,
lions Of the house in which the bard
lection Of heraldic "surcoats" and ban.
ners. made entirely by women In the
district during the last few years.
Embroidered In silk on rich cloth, the,
represent the arms of every one OF IN.
plays, thirty-two in all, beginning witt
| St. George OF England and ending WIZ
Eleanor, Duchess of Somerset, the heir
ess Of Richard. Earl of Warwick, anc
were to have been worn ana carried u
been a feature Of the tercentenary fes
"The war has made hay Of all gu
plans" said the mayor. the last straw
being the calling up Of the hrst group
three months earlier than had been ex
pecteh We have arranged with +. X
| Benson Cor a cycle Of Shakespeareal
performances beginning on April 20. AM
the ideal program for this commemora
ton would have been a series OF tn
historical plays. done In chronologica
order But those plays, to have thei
proper effect should be acted Target
by young men. and not only are youn
men scarce now but no one likes to Sc
them doing anything else than shoulder
ing rife. Moreover. now that the ca
to the married men has come, no on
knows even what actors Mr.. Benso
will be able to bring with him. O
May e. the last day but one OF tn
festival, we are 10 have an "all star
performance. at which II. B. Irving, 81
George Alexander. Oscar Asche, an
others win apear In scenes from tn
PLAYA.
I'VE celebrated here on April 2
although In the remainder OF tn
churches OF Great Britain the birthda
VII no kent on Nav because OF tn
fact that the birthday and Easter Sur
day fall on the same date. Here, how
ever, we shall hold our birthday cer'
mony at Holy Trinity where Shakes
peare Is buried, on Sunday Afternoon
and shall have the Dean OF Salisbur
with US.
I'VE shalt have the usual processh
with flowers for the tomb from II
birthplace to the church." the mayt
went en-. but whether the usual accom-
panying flag ceremony will he carrie
out In doubtful"