New-York tribune., 1918-04-07
.Sfransky Tells
Where He Stand,

where lie Stands
The Tribune has received the fol)ov.
ing letter from Joseph Stransky:
Dear Sir: In this mornings Tdb.
une a letter appeared which q M
Fletcher had sent to member Of II,
Philharmonic board with the inteu.
tion Of ousting me from my present
position as conductor Of the Philbsr.
monic Orchestra, on the grounds tia,
I am pro- o-German.
While I readily admit that duyiu,
the first part of the war my symm.
thies were with the German people,
I was not in favor of the policies Of
the German government. Since
Americas entrance into the war de.
cided to take a definite stand with
my adopted country, and the follow.
ing lines will prove, I think, tina! I
have full-heartedly taken that step:
First-As a natural expression Of
my feeling I opened the Phlharmon.
season with the playing of "The Star.
Spangled Banner" without suggestion
or instruction from any side, and /
have conducted it ever since wher
ever the Philharmonic Orchestra has
appeared.
Second-I came from Bohemia. Of
Czecho-Slav parents, and it is a
known fact that in this present world
struggle Bohemia is fighting Tor he,
independence and that she fayors tne
Allies.
Third-My sympathies ever sin,s
came to this country have been out.
spoken for America. In fact. have
renowned my native country and
taken out my American papers, with
the intention of becoming an Amer
can and staying in America.
lourth-Mr. Fletcher refers to
the fact that at Philharmonic con-
cert Lady Speyer was in my box
Why doesn't he also refer to the
TACT that Mrs. Jay took lunch q!
my home a short time ago, or that
the Scottish officer, Seumas, chief
OF Clan Shearghuis OF Stra-chur, frs-
qucntly appeared in my box? hare
never spoken to Lady Speyer about
politics. Like every one else, reac
III the papers that Sir and Lady
Speyer were in favor at the British
court. and that they were asked BY
King George to retain their title.
Fifth-The late Mr.. Hugo Rsl'
singer was a personal friend Of mine
long before l came to America, and
I naturally retained my FRIENDSHIP
1or his family, no member OF which
has ever appeared to me in any oths
light than as a good American.
SiXth-It is quite true that kknes
Count Bernstorf, but | met him on!
at the time when he was still per
soma grata at the White House sua
when any number OF Americans wer
meeting him.
Seventh-At the beginning Of the
past season l donated my serves
to Red Cross concert in Brooklsa'
and also for the sufferers in Hallisa'
Eighth was the first one
suggest that orchestras should v's"
camps and l conducted two orcnes'
trail concerts, which were given "
the Philharmonic Society at Ceup
Dix and Camp Upton, where dlne'
with the officers.
Ninth have given contributor
to several American war charlues
l am a contributing member Oh w
American Red Cross.
l have lately sent contriou'''
to the Junior American Guard.
am a member of the Society ~
the Support of Needy Musicians :
France. and following speech ~h's
l made before the Philharn0A
Orchestra every member OF INC ~
chestra Joined that organlSa'iou
support our fellow musicians
France.
1t was my suggestion beios
Philharmonic board that cs''
the elimination of composi''oA.., .,y.
,iving German composers from tas
harmonic programmes for the w.
tion of the war. a.
I think this statement su'ne..
show that Mr.. Fletcher's accuss1a \.
are only personal and given Is.
the idea of making room iof
cessor whom, as his letter snoss 3
has already taken the troSp'
elect. Yours very truly,
Carnegie Hall, April 2, isie'