The Washington times., 1919-04-01
HISTORIC WEIMAR
DISLIKES UPROAR

WEIMAR, April 1.-Quiet, sleepy
Weimar doesn't like being capital of
capitol. Weimer didn't even want to
be the seat of the Constituent Assem-
bly, which founded the new German
republic. Weimar was more than will
ing to let some other town have the
honor.
When it was definitely decided the
Assembly should be at Weimar, the
inhabitants of the clean, pretty little
city bent every effort to make guests
fel comfortable. but they viewed the
meetings with apprehension. 1t
brought too much excitement to Wei
mar.
Weimar is probably the most cul-
tured city Of its size in the world. 1t
exists because it was the home of
Goethe and Schiller, and the popula-
lion lives on the atmosphere of classic
German. 1t is the home Of writer's
and playwrights, and supports one
Of the best groups of dramatic artists
n its beautiful theater.
Weimar wants to be let alone to its
culture and plays and music, accord
ng to the inhabitants, who are pray
ng that the Assembly will place the
permanent capitol of Germany else
where.
During the war, when the rest of
icrmany rapidly disintegrated, cul-
ured Weimar kept most of its old
labits. Shop windows by dozens arc
illed with classic books and pictures
n literature of England and France
.uite as much as Germany.
ShakeSpeare's Pictures Sell.
Treatises on universal peace, and
.gainst war of any kind, stayed in
heir places on bookshop shelves in
yeimar, while the rest of the world
towed them temporarily in cellars.
;hakespeare's picture is in art store
.indows with Goethe's and SchiIler's
nd Shakespearean plays, as well as
.lassics from any language, were
,layed continually in the Weimar
heater.
With their interests centered en-
irely on things cultural rather than
poiitical. and with their minds filled
18th the best from the best from the
'ast rather than social and political
lar viewed with apprehension the in
tallation Of dozens of telephones in
he theater. the filling of the high
Chool with telegraph instruments
nd typewriters for the press, and the
arrival of soldiers and policemen to
;uard against political uprising.
The beautiful old Saxon castle was
aiken over by the Government, and
nacked full Of people, where it had
ormerly been almost deserted al
gays. The snow blanket that covered
.Veimar was continually stirred up
~ the 10 per cent increase in popU-
alton, said 10 per cent being active
people, always busily hurrying
,round, and that, too, made Weimar
eem unrestful and uneasy.
Accustomed To visitors.
Fortunately, Weimar has always
)een accustomed to visitors, and has
aany of them, who come to render
aomage to Goethe and Schiller and
get . glimpse of the classic German
which the world liked years ago be-
ore commercial imperialistic Prus-
ianism overwhelmed the country.
There are more than fifty hotels in
.Veimar, and these were quickly
lacked. The city government took
:harge OF the room and food situation
nd assigned everyone a place to
leep and eat on his arrival from the
1utef world.
This was another thing Weimar
!isliked. IT was used to tourists who
we're mostly scholars and who came
o town knowing most Of its secrets,
nd who quietly went to hotels and
.reated no excitement, and were con-
en-. and glad to roam around and not
bother anyone.
The excitement OF it all is too much
or Weimar. most cultured Of towns.