New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-13
NOeterlinck Makes V1vid
Wrongs of BELGIUM,

Maurice Macterlnck has been stirred
into realism by the war. His latest
play, "The Burgomastcr of Belgium"
now at the Belmont Theatre, is based
on an incident reported in the White
Book. The Burgomaster of Stlemonde
made responsible for the non-resist-
ance of its inhabitants to the German
invaders. Accordingly he has ordered
all civilian firearms locked up in the
town hall. The horrors Of the occupa-
ton have been mitigated as much as
possible by the Burgomaster's son-in-
law, who is an officer in the German
army, but when German officer is
found dead Undoubtedly shot by his
own mem it is demanded that a Belgian
culprit be found, or that the Burgo-
master surrender his own life Claus,
an old gardener in the service of the
Burgomaster, is the person found
nearest the scene of the crime and is
therefore accused. The following dia-
logue is between the Burgomaster and
the old gardener:
THE BURGOMASTER - My poor
Claus! Why, what have they been
doing to you? You're bleeding at the
mouth and forehead.
CLAUS-There's no great harm done.
Mr. Burgomaster. They knocked me
about bit because | didn't at once
understand what they wanted with me;
but there's no great harm done. Luck
lily | had on my old shirt and nv third
best trousers.
THE. BURGOMASTER You know
what you're accused of?
CLAUS-Yes, Mr. Burgomaster. I
didn't understand at first, but Mr.. Otto
explained.
THE BURGOMASTER-You and
have worked together for over fortv
years, my dear old Claus, and neither
OF US has anything to say against the
other. Do you trust me?
CLAUS-Ycs, Mr.. Burgomaster.
THE BURGOMASTER-Then tell me
all you know. Speak without fear.
give you my word that whatever YOU
say will remain between ourselves.
CLAUS-l don't know much, Mr..
Burgomaster. was in the nursery
garden, where you told me to 90 this
morning. | was trimming the rose
trees. They needed it, Mr.. Burgomas-
ter, l can tell you, especially the Paul
Nerons, which had suckers as high as
that. And the Malmaisons and Ma
rechal Niels are getting the blight, Mr..
Burgomastcr
THE BURGOMASTER-The blight?
I'm surprised at that. | didn't notice
any two days ago. How much Of the
lnsecticde have we left?
CLAUS-Only a gallon or so, Mr..
Burgomaster
The BURGOMASTER - That's not
enough. l'll order some moro.
And then what happened?
CLAUS-Then, Mr. Burgomaster,
heard a shot.
THE BURGOMASTER-And then?
CLAUs-l went on with my work,
Mr. burgomastcr. saying to myself
mat shot more or less in war time
was no reason to make me NEGLECT nv
rose trees. Then I heard shouts.
came out Of the nursey, to see what
was happening, and some German SOL
olers saw me and fell upon me, shook
me- struck me and kept shouting.
hAput! Kaput!" They then dragged
mo to tho house; and Mr.. Otto res
cucd me from them and locked me I'D
IN tho seed house
The Observation-Disclosures the
shot was fired, did you see no ono near
YOU no one running away under tho
trees? Did you hear nothing. notice
nothing?
oiAAos~-As you know, Mr.. Burgo-
master, there's thick hedge all the
way round the nursery and you can't
see what happens in the woods.
THE BURGOMASTER- You,rc q
christian, Claus, you're religious
man; and I've always respected you
Tor IT. Do you swear that what YOU