New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-09
DR.. Max Winter Sends Ap-
peal to War Department
to Restrain Service Men
Storm Is Raging Fiercely
Organizations and Individ-
uals Protest Against Per-
formances at Lexington

Facing opposition that is growing
hourly in New York against the Ger
man operas that are to begin Monday
evening at the Lexington Theatre, op-
position that, he says, is getting
worse and worse" Dr. Max Winter,
treasurer of the Christians Corpora
tions, the producers, yesterday sent
telegram to the War Department ap-
pealing for protection against violence
which he fears might be caused by SOL
diers and sailors. DR.. Winter asked
that the Lexington Theatre and all its
property be made safe against any
demonstration by the thousands of SOL
diers and sailors who are now in the
city.
At meeting held at the Navy Club,
500 Fifth Avenue, last evening, more
than 500 sailors and marines voted to
wait until Monday night for official
notification that the German operas
would not be held, and it was voiced
by one of their number, William Nc
Rae, of the protest committee of uni
formed men. that 1--WE will get Motif
cation" These men voted, also, to as
semble at the Navy Club on Monday
evening and go to the Lexington The
atre to offer organized protest if the
performances were not called off.
No Mob Violence Planned
They agreed that concerted effort,
and not mob violence, would bring
them to victory. They signed their
names to a petition which already bore
hundreds of signatures of their fellows
in uniform, and this protest will be
carried to Mayor Hylan, bearing more
than 5000 names.
At this meeting McRae said he had
been to the home of Lieutenant Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt, jr., and the officer
had promised statement which will
appear Monday denouncing the operas
If the men go to the Lexington
Theatre Monday evening they may
wear dungarees and watch caps, they
say. and they may carry banners with
inscription, "Welcome Home with Ger
man Opera" Those were the express
sions of many of the sailors at the
Navy Club.
Where's a nice welcome our boys"
shouted Carlton S. King, manager
of the Navy Club, at the meeting
last night. To the men he is known
as Daddy" and his remarks were greet
ed with cheers. When he exclaimed
They're not going to put on this
OPERA" loud calls of "No" came from
the men.
McAllister Smith, back from Russia,
shouted, "Do we want the German
opera :" And the reply again was "No."
The Women's Press Club meeting
at the Waldorf yesterday, adopted res
olutions denouncing the German operas
and protesting against the city and
state officials who permit them to be
given.
Mrs. Jay Writes Letter
Mrs. William Jay, of p West Fifty
eighth Street, sent telegram to Sena-
tor Overman Of the Senate committee
investigating propaganda. She made
public a letter which she sent to Ru-
dolf Christians, head of the company
that is producing the operas. The let
ter follows
Gas compensation for the security
you have enjoyed in the United States
will you withdraw the projected season
of German opera at once?
"The New York public is aroused
with indignation and determination,
and these strong feelings have surely
been emphasized so that you cannot
doubt their existence.
II have received so many messages
of protest that I feel it only fair to
predict to you that discretion is the
better part of Kultur, and remind you
that the American people have sound
senses of strict accountability and of
self de termi nation"
Mrs. Oliver Cromwell Field, presi-
dent of the American Relief Legion,
called the operas nm attempt to bring
back German progress and Kultur as
before"