New-York tribune., 1919-03-08
.O'Ryan Asked
ToHelp Quash
German Opera
Enlisted Men Appeal for
Stand Against Programme
at the Lexington Theatre
Intent ON Suppression
Would Avoid Mob Violence
They Say; Security Body
Issues Denunciation. Too

Major General John F. O'Ryan, COM
mander of the 9th Division, was an
pealed to yesterday to take a stand
against the presentation of German
operas at the Lexington Theatre. be-
ginning Monday. William G. McRae. a
naval radio operator, of the soldiers
and sailors protest committee. made
the request in letter to the general
At the same time, the committee on
unity of language, of the National Sc
curlty League, issued a statement de-
nouncing the operas as "a brazen at
tempt to reorganize German propa-
ganda in this community"
The letter to Major General O'Ryan
follows:
"ln the interest OF humanity, we are
endeavorlng to get personal state
ment from you in regard to the Ger
man operas to be held at the Lexing-
ton Theatre, beginning March 10, 1919.
he service men of the United
States consider this the most outrage
Gus and unpatriotic act which possibly
could be committed against their hon
or and Americanism. Inclosed is an
article from The New York Tribune
showing the opposition of service men
as we'll as some influential civilians.
Don't Want Mob Violence
"A statement from you would do
much to assist in cancelling this pro-
gramme. We cannot afford to use mob
violence when organized effort may ac-
complish the desired results. Our
boys who have been manned on the
other side would consider this coun-
try very ungrateful for their services
If they should have to stand for this
'kultur.' In behalf of the Americans
who have served in this war, l am ap-
pealing to you for a statement in
regard to this"
This statement was issued by the
Committee on Unity of Language Of
the National Security League:
1T is inconceivable that New York
City engaged in welcoming back its
soldiers, many of them wounded and
manned for life. Will tolerate a brazen
attempt to reorganize German propa-
ganda IN this community by the pro-
ducton OF German opera IN the Ger
man tongue while we are still at war
with the enemy of mankind
Point to 1t as Propaganda
Only the wilfuly blind will fail
to see that this movement in New York
City supplements propaganda efforts
at work, not only in the occupied Rhine
districts but right here in America.
The United States ought to be a one
language nation and yet schools are
again using the German language.
churches are conducting services in
German and German sedition flourishes.
Germany IS deliberately attempting
to wrest victory from defeat. Those
who countenance bringing the Ger
man language or things German favor
ably before the public are aiding her
and helping to make the sacrifices Of
our soldiers vain and of no account.
We are confronted with the issue
whether New York City, which has
saved and served and sacrificed whose
men and women have beeen agonized
day and night to win the war and
given their sons to death on the bat
tlefield, will indorse this effort of the
foe TO regain standing in community
whose Americanism never has been
and never must be matter of doubt.
with the dying cries of the in
nocent babes and the despairing
mothers on the Lusitania still ring
ing in our ears, this attempt to pro
duce comic opera in the German
tongue is an insult to every true
American.'
The War Camp Community Service
emphasized again, following its state
ment Thursday, that no tickets for the
German performances will be given to
men in uniform
McRae and Charles Walker, of the
Canadian army, another member of
protest committee of uniformed men,
indicated that they were firm in their
purpose against having the perform
ances take place. McRae said that
since Wednesday the men on all the
incoming ships had been notified that
the German operas were to take place
and many had protested agains. them
DR.. Winter said that the operas are
to be held because thousands of Amer
lean citizens of German descent had
asked Tor "clean, artistic performan-
ces." tie saw no movement for further
ing German propaganda by them, he
, said. He took the view, he said that
the war had ceased with the signing Of
the armlstice because of the terms
which had been imposed upon Ger
many. he said that plays were given
I at the Irving Place Theatre in 1917-1s,
after this country had gone to war, and
no opposition had arisen, although
Federal agents watched the perfor-
! mances. DR.. Winter ascribed the pres-
ent attack upon the operas TO the
y American Defence Society, which, he
4 SAID, had made protests when the opera
announcement was made about four
weeks ago.
e Special Welcome for 10Th