New-York tribune., 1919-03-10
Angry Fighters 9
To Try to Stop
German Opera
Threaten to Wreck Theatre
Tonight; Plan to March
to Scene With Brickbats
Appeal in Vain to Smith
Governor Says He l. Power
less; Hylan Noncommittal;
Defence Society i'll Protest

Determined that there shall not be
any German opera, which is schcd-
uled to begin this evening at the
Lexington Theatre, Lexington Avenue
and Fifty-frst Street, men in uniform
sent an appeal to Governor Smith yes
terday not TO allow "These Huns to
insult our flag and the men who have,
and are willing to give their lives
that this, our country, be free from
German Kultur."
The men in uniform, particularly
those who are meeting at the Navy
Club, 500 Fifth Avenue, will this morn
ing carry petition to Mayor Hylan
bearing 5000 names Of their fellows
They will also seek q permit to march
this evening to the Lexington The
atre with two bands and appropriate
banners.
One Of the sailors voiced the atti-
tude of the men when he said that
I'VE will fill up the Lexington Theatre
with so much Irish confetti that they
will have to give up German opera"
At the Lexington Theatre yester-
day one of the officers connected with
the productions said that the police
had not been asked to give protection
against any expected violence at to-
nights performance.
Preparing to Go Ahead
This officer also said that no reply
had been received from Washington
relative to the telegram which had
been sent Saturday to the War De
partment by Or. Max Winter. treas
urer of the producers, asking that
protection be given. It was an
nounced also that there was no halt
in the arrangements and every prep
aration was being made to give to-
nights operetta, "The Tyrolean,' q
Niennese adaptation.
Members of the protest committee
Of uniformed men had expected a
statement from Lieutenant Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt, lr, but he an
nounced yesterday. after looking into
the matter, that his present army ties
prevented him from taking such
step. He indicated. however, that at
is scandalous situation' and he
added that as soon as he was back in
civilian clothes he would be very
willing to protest movement such as
this.
Those in charge of the Navy Club
wanted it made known that the or
ganization was not behind the men
in uniform, but that the sailors and
marines had selected the club as
place to assemble and take organ
lied action. 1t has been agreed by
the men that they will meet at the
Navy Club tonight and go from there
to the Lexington Theatre. Men on
shore and on the ships in the harbor
have already been notified through
word sent out By tho protest commit
tee and it is expected that those who
do net join the procession MT the
Navy Club viii appear at the Lexiug-
ton Theatre.
Smith Puts II Up to Hyian
Governor Smith, replying by tclc-
phone to tho telegram sent by the
men Of the Navy Club. naid that no
state iaw existed TO prevent the opera
performance. He said that the do.
cision rested with the Mayor aud the
Commissioner of Iiccnsca, if either
official felt that "theso pcrformanccs
are to be given TO iucite feeling"
Despite appeals from individuals
and organizations, Mayor Hylan mado
no statement as to what action he
might take. Through the Mayors sec
retary, Grover Whalcn, it was pointed
out that the presentation of German
opera was something for the pro
ducers to decide
An effort was made yesterday to
obtain an opinion from Commissioner
of Licenses John f. Gichrist, but he
could not be located.
The telegram TO Governor Smith
from the sailors and marines at the
Navy Club follows:
eve, enlisted sailors and marines OF
the United States navy in meeting
at the Navy Club, 500 Fifth Avenue
90 respectfully beg that your Excel
lcncy let us know if you will help
us keep the City OF New York Amcri-
can aud not allow these Huns TO in
suit our flag and the men who have
and arc willing to give their lives that
kultur.
Says He has No Power to Act
1--WE therefore appeal to you to stop
the German opera from being pre-
sented on Monday, March 10, at the
Lexington Theatre, New York City
riease answers
Governor Smith telephoned the fol
lowing reply TO the Navy Club which
was given out by its manager, Carlton
S. King:
Il have no power to act in this mat.
yer, as there is no state law to prevent
performances In German. 1t is in the
hands Of the Commissioner Of Licenses
or tho Mayor to revoke the license. if
IN MS or their opinion these perform
feeling" ''N'e'
The French newspaper of this citv
the Courier des Etats- -Unis." printed
yesterday the following article, sup
rlemented by an editorial note:
The Union Of French Languaye So
cieties Of New York protests encrgeti.
cally against the attempt made by Ger.
sain persons and certain organizations
10 bring hack q tho y,oc,i.