The sun., 1919-03-09
PATRIOTS AROUSED
BY GERMAN OPERA
No Violence by Navy Men, but
They Will Wear Rough
J. Uniforms Tomorrow.
PROPAGANDA SUSPECTED
Societies and Italian Chamber
Of Commerce Appeal to Gov
ernor and Mayor.

DuHkdrecS anu Whcn caps II the
dress in which several hundred sailors
are going to gather tomorrow night at
the Naval Club. 500 Fifth avenue. They
think IL may be necessary to 20 to the
performance of German comic opera
announced for the Lexington Theatre
that night. They do not want their good
uniforms spoiled.
The sailors held a wbooping Getting at
the clubhouse last night and came to Its
dicision after former Wireless Operator
McRse. in charge OF the meeting, had an
nounced that efforts to prevent the per-
torrance through the stage hands union
had been unsucce ssful, and after II had
peen announced that 5000 sailors. SOL
diers and marines had afiixed their sig
natures to protest against the produc-
ton, which will be presented 10 Mayor
Hylsn tomorrow.
The head of the stage hands union
told me that the performance couldn't be
prevented consitutionally," McRae told
his audience in the clubhouse. But i
told him that there was q way TO pre-
vent It public opinionly--and I guess
you know what that means"
There was a wild cheer from tile 200
boys in the crowd. and the motion to APP
pear In unnpoilable dungarees and watch
caps was carried with yell.
Ne Violence. but "work" to DO.
Not that there'll be any violence"
purred NcRae through a megaphone.
but there may be work to do
1t was arranged that all OF the men
who had signed the petition will either
report at the clubhouse tomorrow eve
ming. or, IL they have no liberty that
night, each will send a messmate to take
his place. McAllister Smith, member of
several patriotic societies. who also ad-
dressed the meeting. announced that he
would hire a band and II possible to
obtain the necessary permits, win station
the band outside the opera house and
have IT play American patriotic airs.
II was made clear at the meeting OF
sailors last night that nothing would be
done tomorrow night unless every other
effort failed to prevent the opening OF
the German opera season by the Chris
tians Producing Company.
The same beliicose spirit with regard 10
the German opera was reported yester-
day from all the centres of tho War
Camp Community Service where the men
gather. 1t became so alarming that
Rowlond Haynes. director OF the service
ssnt to every clubhouse a notice in which
he cautioned the managers TO use every
means In their power to dhsuade the
Haynes made 1t clear that the service
would not provide tickets for the Ger
man performance for any men in uni
FORM There was an organized effort al
all OF these centres to keep the men
from attempting to 90 into the theatre.
ssEsests Counter Decentralization.
Mra William Jay preached a plan 10
BUY tickets for a hundred 81 more con
vslescent soldiers and sailors, have then
stand at attention when THE Star
Spangled Banner" was played by the
orchestra-Mra. Jay presumed that the
orchestra would do this--and then e
have them leave as soon as the German
music began.
Mrs. William H. Hamilton, founde,
Of the Naval Club and its vice-president
declared that 1t was presumptuous fol
the Germans in New York 90 attempt
TO arouse German sentiment at this time
TT the Metropolitan Opera House. q
genuinely American institution, had de
"lded to give Wagner or any other grea
German work. why that would be al
right" said Mrs Hamilton. Wagner
and the great artists OF Germany belons
- the world. But TO have the Germapi
themselves attempt TO put on these littl,
rIeces which are Just reeking with Ger
man sentiment at this time savors tor
much Of propaganda"
Last night there appeared TO be M
likelihood that the Christians Producing
Company would forego it's plans for tn,
German opera season. II was said a
the Lexington that a large advance sal,
Of seats had been booked and that tn,
performance would go on.
Carlton King. manager Of the Nava
Club. the sailor members of the commit
tee and Mrs. Jay and Mrs Hamilton
admitted that they knew of no way I,
stop II. They promise a counter demon
etratton in force, however. Resolutions
protesting against tho production wer'
also passed yesterday at a meeting o
the women's Club at tho Waldorf an,
by other patriotic organizations
The italian Chamber of Commerce Il
letters sent yesterday to Gov. Smith an,
Mayor Hylan said that the announce,
presentation of operas in the Germal
language within few days at the Lex
irgton Theatre amounts to public de
nance Of American patriotism and publ
decency, while America and her Allie
are still in state OF war with Ger
many" and continued:
THE performances tend TO create
false impression OF sympathy for Ger
many in that very language which i
known in northern Italy, Belgium
northern France and Serbia only through
abominable curses from German mill
tSry monsters, devastating property
killing innocent people and perpetratini
most infamops crtneS- QR"u women an
children.
I'VE trust your Excellency will ne
that the permit for such aDti-patrioti
performance il withdrawn, especially a
II may arouse serious storm OF in
disnation among American citizens an