New-York tribune., 1919-10-28
German Opera
To Be Sung in
English Here
Continued from page l

TeIGLlFeS OIL men VINO VIII never return.
"l should be sorry to believe" said
the justice, that the people who are
undertaking and those who are sup
porting by their attendance this ef-
fort to revive German opera in this
city are not dcsirous Of alaying the
anmosities heretofore unfortunately
existing between groups Of our inhab-
itants and the animositics necessarily
existing between our people and the
people of Germany, with whom we have
SO recently been actively at war and
with whom we are not yet formally at
peace.
ut should be remembered that the
wounds Of the war have not yet healed
nor lost their tenderness, and any step
taken toward the restoration of things
to normal conditions should be taken
in the light Of that fact and, If it is
found upon trial that public sentiment
is not yet prepared for the step it
should not be persisted IN. Reconci!-
latlon cannot be forced-it can only
be brought about by time and by wise
efforts toward that end"
Reviews Some of Evidence
AS to the forcing of the issue, re-
fefred to by Justice Giegerich, his de-
clsion reviews some OF the evidence
submitted to him as follows:
"One affianJ relates two instances
which fell under his observation on a
single evening showing i'll feeling be-
tween the crowds Of objectors and
those who attended the performances
One man on his way to the opera
house in limousine put his head out
of the car and made grimaces and
Kissed at the crowd, and q woman on her
way IN taxicab thrust out her tongue
in derision. Ordinarily these instances
would be too trivial to mention, but
now they are significant as indications
OF d hostile state of mind"
Speaking Of the hostility to the Ger
man enterprise, which the American II
Legion denounced as pro- German prop
aganda, Justice Giegerich said this
fee ing was rendered more bitter be-
cause of the charge made that the gen
eral director and producing manager Of
the company is a German citizen, who
was quoted as saying he had no inten-
tion of becoming an American citizen
money he can make Otto Goritz, to
whom the foregoing refers, is again re
ferred to by Justice Giegcrich in his
decision when he mentions the charge
that Goritz was the author Of d song
which he sang to celebrate the sinking
of the Lusitania by German sub
marine.
Charges Widely Believed
"Whether all or any Of these charges
are true" continued the justice, 81 do
not have to attempt to determine. The
important fact is that they are made and
widely believed, and the effect upon the
people, not yet recovered from the pas
sions Of the war, is substantially the
same as though every charge had been
proved.
Justice Giegerich reviewed the riot
Gus demonstrations that took place at
the Lexington Theater and in the ad-
jaccnt streets on October 20, Il and %
"Thc extent Of the injuries" said the
justice, (which the police may have in
nicted upon the riotous crowd is not
shown, although the aflidavits of well
known citizens state that the police
showed great seif-rcstraint and handled
The situation well.'
Justice Giegerch rejected the argu-
ment Of the Star Opera Company that
it had constitutional right which was
being interfered with. He said no
question was involved because the Civ
ing Of an operate performance is a
privilege which can be exercised only
by the procurement of license which
may be revoked. There was no ques-
ton Of revocation in TINS case, tbs
court pointed out, but merely an orde,
for bidding a particular kind OF opera
Martin w. Littlcton, who argued ths
case for the American Legion. when in
formed last evening of the decision
SAID, II am very much pleased. /
was decided according to traditions anc
the law"