The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-09
WAR SILENCES
KREISLERVI0LIN
Noted Musician Cancels All
Engagements, Even Unpaid
Ones for Charities.
EAST ORANGE Is BLAMED
Austrian Officer Had Given
Up 100000 Income in Face
of Criticisms.

Having arrived at the conclusion that
for the immediate future appearances in
the United States are likely to cause him
more embarrassment than pleasure. Fritz
Ereisler. the violinist caused the an
nouncement to be made yesterday that
for all public purposes he has hung up
his fiddle and his bow and will not be
heard here again until the treaty Of
peace has been signed.
Mr. Kre!s.cr in addition to being a
great musical artist is 4 Lieutenant in
the Austrian army ard bears the scars
Of war. At the beginning OF interna-
tional hostilities. and before this coun-
try was in. lie served with his regiment
on the Austrian front and was slightly
wounded in action.
While Mr. Kreisler was convaiescent
his Government. deciding that he was
too valuable an asset TO the nation to
he risked on the hghting line, granted
him a furlough and he came to this
country to keep a series OF concert en-
tagen1ents.'
Boston Made First Objection.
It was after the United States had
entered the conflict that he encountered
embarrassment on the concert platform
In Boston and IN Philadelphia his ap-
, pearance was not received in friendly
spirit. and presently the report got IN
circulation that he was despatching his
earnings to his own land by an under.
ground route. His earnings have been
large ever since he was fully accepted
| as n consummate artist. In the past
for an average concert tour during the
! winter months he has received as much
| as $4,000.
To meet the contentious Of his critics
! he caused the announcement to be made
that he would receive no more money
for his playing during the continuation
Of the war. but would appear for charit.
able objects only. He has played infre,
quently during the musical season which
is Just ending. and on few recen,
, occasions has been heard at the piano
only, as accompanist to Reinhard War
Itch, a singer and a warm friend
! The Anal straw which has retired Hin
! from the concert stage was laid ac-os:
| his shoulders last Wednesday night ir
East Orange, y. j.. where he went tc
| play at benefit at which Mr.. Warlicf
| was the principal soloist.
I Disapproved by Omcials.
The audience was friendly. has beer
described even as enthusiastic. but thu
Mayor Of East Orange disapproved o.
the Warlich-Kreisler numbers and le
his disapproval be known. So also die
another town official. who has beer
aiding the nation as a four minute ora
/ tor at theatres and movie houses in sup
! port of the war savings stamps Mr.
Kreisler did not press his right to ap
pear at the Orange concert. but re
turned to this city without argumen
on the point.
He gave Thursday TO careful cons'd
Grafton of whether he would appea
again until after the war is ended, ant
debating the subject with hi
friends made up his mind that he woult
not. He had number of other engage
ments for what remains Of the musica
season. but has cancelled them all.
Mr. Krelsler has had difficulty in un
derstandng the attitude OF those whit
have objected to Is appearances. ant
insists that art is international and dis
elimination should not be made agans
an artist on account Of his nationality
He has been quoted also as holding tn
view that the militaristic idea Is al
wrong. but has asserted his privilege a
an officer and gentleman when asked
for his personal verifcation of the state
ment