New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
By Royal Cortissoz

Paris Just now it is apparent that the
French are preoccupied in the peace
conference with matters military and
economic. They are thinking, above all
things, of their protection in the future
against Germany's potentialities for
war and for industrial aggression.
There would seem to be little opportu-
nifty at present for merely aesthetic
conside rations. Nevertheless it is
gratifying to be able to report indica-
tions in the French press of just such
an agitation for the German payment
of artistic indemnities as The Tribune
has been steadily urging. A long article
in "LTllustration," by NJ. Auguste
Marguillier, shows that something has
already been done to advance the sub
ject. There could be no more appro-
pirate moment for recurrence to it.
AS far back as July, 1915, the bonn
bardment of Arras, which with incen-
diary shells destroyed what was left
OF the collections in the Palais de
Saint-Vaast, drew from the Historical
Society Of the Pas-de-Calais a protest
exactly in the sense of the scheme of
reparation we have been advocating.
The members Of that body did not de-
msnd vengeance or reprisals. What
they asked In the shape Of simple JUS
tice was that works of art in Austria
and Germany which had had their origin
in France or Belgium should after the
war be assigned to the devastated re-
gions. "Tout lie monde" as Marguillier
remarks, is to-day in sympathy with
that idea. The Academic des Beaux-
Arts gave its adhesion to it at a
meeting last December, and several So
cieties have addressed to the govern
Figaro" recently, M. Deville. president
Of the Fine Arts Commission of the
City Of Paris, has formulated similar
claims. In the Chamber of Deputies
three members, NM. Amiard, Goust and
Dariac, have brought forward q resolu-
ton tending to the payment in works
Of art Of indemnities for the artistic
losses which France has suffered at the
hands of Germany" In justification of
this principle of compensation-if any
further justification is needed-M. Mar
guillier cites certain German observa-
tions which are of the most pointed in
terest.
The German Idea
1t was Bavarian Minister who told
Baron Kerryn de Lettenhove how they
felt at Munich about their works OF
art, some of which the Belgian arch
aeologist was soliciting for an exhi-
bition at Brussels in 1910. If any Of
them we're lost it would not be posi-
Bile for the Belgians to make restitu.
ton in money. The balance could only
be made right by the choice of works
of the same merit from Brussels! How
could the Germans now object if they
are submitted to the very rule which
they themselves were ready to formu
late? Baron Wangenheim, at Con.
stantinople, bewailed to Ambassado,
Morgenthau the moderating influence
Of the rulers Of Great Britain, Russis
and Austria, which saved Paris from
the extremes of Prussian rapacity il
1871. This time, he exultingly de
clared, his master would make wal
without pity. "We shall transport K
Berlin ell the treasures of art in Pari,
which belong to the state" TIL,
French are now remembering, and EN-
phasizing, pronouncements of this kind
Naturally, since Germany felt that wa,
about 1t, they cannot see why ther,
should be any objection to the trans
portation of a certain number of work
Of art from Berlin to Paris. The stu
alton is different to-day from tha
which existed in 1871. France had don,
no harm to Germany. There was rea
son for moderating rne demands of th
latter. But think of the harm dom
by Germany to France in this warl
The war had been raging for only
few weeks-it was, in fact, in October
1914-whcn Herr Emil Schaefer an
nounced in a Berlin magazine, "Kuns
und Kunstler," what had happened an,
what might be expected to happen. Th
might OF Germany had made itself fel
1T Liege and Brussels, Namur, Maline
and Antwerp. In few weeks, perhap
IN few days, the news that the King
dom Of Belgium had ceased to exis
would doubtless arrive In anticipatio,
OF that event the amiable Herr Schaefe
counted not solely upon cash returns
Each town Of this country" he oh
served, was formerly a home of ar.
eacn church was sanctuary of pain,
ing. The descendants Of Van Eyck an
KuDens have preserved many painting
which aside from their ideal vain
possess material value which NAV h
expressed in millions, and upon thj
part Of the national patrimony tn
Aand Of the conqueror will fall" IT
enumerated the principal masterpiece
TO be annexed from Antwerp, Brussel
and Bruges, not forgetting, at Chen
,ha' great altar piece Of st. Havon'
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