South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-06
Reviews Poetry
of the War in
Club Lecture

Interpreting with a sympathy in
dicative of keen appreciation Rev.
James l. Gardiner, D. D., charmed
his audience at the South Bend
Womans club Tuesday evening with
a review OF war poetry OF the allies.
Grouping the poems in respect TO the
country identified with each. DR..
Gardiner discussed in turn the poe
try of Belgium, France, England,
Italy and America.
AS examples of the finest art. in
tribute 10 Belgium, the speaker pre-
sented the Song TO Belgium" by
Cammaerds; ITO Belgium" by Eden
PhillpOtts, and ITO Belgium in
Exile" by owen Seaman, the last be-
ing a perfect exempliication of the
pathos so inseparably connected with
the fate of the little invaded country.
In poems OF France DR.. Gardiner
cited Henry Van Dykes The Name
of France" and Rheims Cathedral"
by Grace II. Conkling. and during a
recital OF the latter rose TO a most
dramatic and effective climax, when
he pictured the destruction which
the vandalism Of the Hun had
wrought in the wonderful structure.
Rudyard Kipling's masterpiece,
For What We Have and Are" was
presented as the most beautiful of
English war verse. showing forth as
it does the intense and fervent loyal
ty Of the peoples toward their land.
Besides The Chant of Love for
England" by Helen G.. Cone, DIR.
Gardiner rendered THE Guards
Came Through" by A. Conan Doyle,
which is an intense recital of a crit
ical period in the lighting history
OF England's warriors. "On the
Italian Front" as written by George
E. Woodbury., was given as a poem
typical of the indomitable spirit OF
the Italian forces in their bitter
struggle with the Austrians.
Reserving the verse dedicated to
the American fighting man and
those who stay at home" as a eli
max to the inspiring discussion OF
war poetry, DR. Gardiner thrilled his
audience with Van Dykes More
Liberum" and THE Americans
Come" by Fay Foster. and a recital
OF the immortal "In Flanders
Field" by Capt John McCray, the
Canadian poet-hghter, who died
there ION the field OF honor" In
81 Have a Rendezvous with Death,
! by Alan Seeger, the speaker empha-
sized more forcibly perhaps than in
any other Interpretation his gift OF
dramatic power.
Cited as other examples Of fine art
were THE Stretcher Bearer" 10y
Robert w. Service; Spires of OK
/ ford" by w. NJ. Let's; Noyes' "A
Prayer in Time of War; 1.-THE
Dead" by Rupert Brooke. and Fin
! lays exquisitely beautiful poem
honoring the nurse in war times
THE Red Cross Spirit Speaks" In
closing Dr. Caroline paid wonderful
I tribute to the brave and self effacins
motherhood OF the world, which has
suffered to such a great degree from
I the present war.
Miss Dora Hershenow opened the
Tuesday meeting with two perfectly
executed piano numbers, Condo
Iiera and 1.-The Chase" by I4szt-
on Feb. II the South Bend Wom'
ans club will bring a speaker Of mote
! in the person OF Meredith Nicholson
| famous novelist and lecturer. wht
will present his lecture, Valley OF
Democracy" before the club mem
| bers and friends in the rotary room
OF the Oliver hotel at o'clock II
the evening. Mrs. Harry Barnes, So
prano soloist, and Miss Jane Den
mis-, dancer, will also appear on tn
! program.