The New York herald., 1920-01-06
Mr., MAE ETERLINCk
DETERMINED To
SPEAK IN FRENCH
Mr.. Pond Assails Henry Rus
sell and Proceeds to Can
eel Lecture Dates.

Controversy over whether Maurice
Maeterlinck will continue his lectures on
New Intimatons of Immortality 10
French or English reached climax yes
terday between himself and his personal
friend and representative, Henry Russell,
and his lecture manager. ]. E. Pond.
The Belgian poet declared over his Own
signature that tomorrow night, when he IS
booked for another appearance at Carnegie
Hall, and at all future times, he will
address the American audiences in French.
and that if the people want an Interpreters
he will have one. This statement, neatly
typewriter, was presented at an inter
view in Mr.. Russelrs studio, No. 80 West
Fortieth street
Mr.. Pond. at his offices at No. 80 East
Forty-second street, said later that his
contracts with the author of the Blue
Bird" call for lectures in English. that the
tickets are sold on that basis and that il
Mr. Maeterlinck does not use the language
with which American audiences are more
familiar it will be a pretty big imposition
on them.
Mr.. Maeterlnc!l didn't lInow really
whether he is going TO lecture under the
Pond auspices or not, and Mr.. Pond didn't
know whether his lecturer will appear at
all. The poet refused 10 confer with his
manager and the manager said he would
cancel contracts with other cities which
refuse to listen TO a French lecture which
they thought was going to be in English.
Didn't Agree TO Use English.
In English that was fairly understand
able. though frequently lapsing into
French. the Belgian poet explained with
Mr. RusSell'S Aid that he ha a payer sigpo1
contract to lecture in anything but
French. Mr.. Russell said, however. that
Mr.. Maeterl.nck did promise to try TO
learn English to please his manager Mr..
Maeterlnck knows Shakespeare's English,
but not Americas. Englisis, well enough
to lecture in ii, he added
once he read n page from an English
book while we were in Nice" declared
Mr.. Russell, "and il was so atrocious that
fell under the table"
The poet admitted that his brain was not
supple enough TO master the language in
n few weeks, but that he could understand
it readily. Referring to Mr. Pond. the
Belgian litterateur pushed back a stray
lock Of hair, settled the Elton collar of his
white and black lounge suit, and said
Already | have had my patience tried
and have endured much in order merely
to have peace. Only would say that I
was persuaded against my will to attempt
to lecture in your language. l made the
lattempt and, except for the torture which
| inflicted upon patient audience, am
only the more keen to master the spoken
English tongue, which have long known
and admired.
VIII Continue Lectures.
~ shall certainly continue my lectures
in America, as | have a message to deliver
to your people. My plan is to speak in
French and i'm case all do not understand.
the purport of my words win be given in
English"
When Mr.. MaeterlincS finished. Mr. Rus
sell made movement which the poet in
terpreted as an invitation to a boxing
bout, and he squared off. He likes a fight
and can box well. Promptly dropping the
subject of the controversy and declaring
that he had met Carpenter several times
and that he once knew kid Mccoy, he
gave a little exhibition.
Il hold the power OF attorney for Mr.
Maeterlinck in America and | can do
anything I want with him." advised Mr.
Russell. Nothing would induce me 10
manage him. I would wipe the boots of
the master. would become his valet. but
could not manage him, because don't
know how
Attacks Mr.. Russell.
To which Mr.. Pond later replied that
Mr. Russell was not MIR. Maeterlinck.
friend and that he was financially in
tcrested in his lecture tour Russell re-
duced Maeterlinck's share of profits by
five per cent in order TO come in on the
tour" said Mr.. Pond. "Maeterlinck
doesn't know this" Mr.. Ponds lawyer
produced copy of letter written to Mr.
Russell by Mr. Pond offering a commits
sion OF five per cent on the net profits
OF the tour.
The lawyer also read a letter which he
aid was "A translation OF one from Mr.
Maeterlnck and bore the date Of Novem-
Der Q. 1919 and which said. in part:-''r am
preparing. in case OF need a second lee
ture (this one in FRENCH. for II would be
impossible for me to learn two In Eng
lish.)"
Doesn't that prove that he expected all
the time to,lecture in English" Mr. Pond
asked. English isn't new language 70
him. 7 wrote TO him five years ago In
English.
i've done nothing but cancel engage
ments today Philadelphia has refused
TO have him speak there II he speaks In
French or with an interpreter. Baltimore.
Pittsburg and Ann Arbor. Mich, have all
cancelled their dates. In Brooklyn and
Manhattan the people are demanding their
money back"
Mr.. Pond said that he had sent n letter
70 Mr.. Maeterlinck on Saturday. but that
the poet had referred it TO his lawyers.
Stanchfield & Levy.