The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-17
HER SONS DIVIDED BY WAR,
 ARTIST-MOTHER IN DESPAIR
Mme Schumann Hein With One Boy Officer on German U-Boat and Three Here Ready to Fight for America, Says Her Spirit Is Crushed Beyond Hope-The
 Great Singer Prays for Peace
By ZOE BECKLEY

San Diego, Cal, July 1s.-(Special) Next time you think of the war as being fought along the Aisne or the Isonzo, or any other of those far-off, hideous battle lines, think also of how 1t is being waged in the very heart of a woman. Ernestine Schumann-Heink is that woman. Of her four living sons, one, August, the first born, is an officer in the German naval service, and the other three, with pledged allegiance to America, are ready and eager for serv- ice on our sideI
 I say living" sons. Yet at this mo- ment the mother of August Schumann does not know whether he lives or has been hunted to death in the very seas his U-boat has helped to terrorize! Not word has his mother heard from him or about him since Christmas eve.
 I wish I could convey to you the thrill ing tragedy of Mme. Schumann- Heinks voice as she stood in the middle the tears trickling from beneath the hands she held pressed against her eyes
 "Oh, may the good God give me cour- age," she cried, half in German, half in English. her voice breaking, her strong body all aquiver. Sometimes I feel cannot bear it-this tearing of my heart strings, this frightful conflict of loves! Was ever woman so tortured and so tried?"
 She dashed the drops from her face such handsome face, all ruddy and tanned from constant outdoor life pushed back her hair, silvery gray 1t is now, thick and wavy. calmed her voice into it's normal smooth, rich tones (tones which have delighted vast public for over 40 years, and paced the floor be- fore the open fireplace
 HER SPIRIT SHATTERED
 "There!" she said impatiently. T am ashamed that you see Ernestine Schu- mann-Heink cry! No one ever sees her cry. She laughs-always! Laugh and sing! But this war-this terrible crime Of war-it has killed me-killed me- I say! You see my body, see, but inside of this body is spirit shattered with sorrow.
 When my Hans died, two years ago, I thought I should never sing again. l
 
 talent have. every treasure I possess, to bring my boy back to life again. But he Is gone beyond recalling.
 Then this war And my August goes pack to fight for the fatherland Du ~seber Gott! He fights for the old land and his brothers for the new Think of it! My boys against each other!
 This war Is a hideous madness. l am ashamed of the world. Let no one mo vxyor ic that good can come from it. Nothing can justify slaughter and destruction. Bahi The whole thing is a crime and nothing less.
 ''If l had strength to do it, I should give up my art and go forth preaching peace to all the world. The world wants peace Then why does 1t not demand it? Why shall the few control the many? Why shall we submit to this thing which we hate? Why-why? Oh, am sick init it all!'
 MUST LEARN SINGING AGAIN
 Mme Schumann- Heink's reference to her lack of strength has to do with a serious motor accident she suffered some months ago. The broken ribs have got well, but the crushing of the body and the shock to the nerves compel the famous singer Ito learn all over again how to produce and sustain tone vol ume.'
 Her voice. though, is as beautiful as always. Indeed, it gave me little shivers of delight to hear a sudden ripple of velvet notes as madame went to her room in search of photograph. The Schumann- -Henk home it situated on spectacularly beautiful elevation a few miles from San Diego, Cal, called Grossmont It overlooks the rich Cajan valley (pronounced Ca-hone), which is full of darling little homesteads buried in flowers and bustling with the business of raising things for market. From every window of the simple but spacious bungalow is view which to the easterner seems too good to be true. almost accused Mme. Ernestine of | planting some of her old grand opera | scenery outside to fool the unsuspicious | visitor.
 l The great contralto herself, in her sim | pie blue linen frock and gay striped apron, looked ready to go on the stage i in some peasant role or other. Her clothes are as sincere and free from vain !