New-York tribune., 1920-01-06
Poet Shadow Boxes in His
Apartment and Remains
Calm as Pond Talks
of Canceling His Tour
Refuses to Try English
Friend Says He's Willing
to Go Home. but Will Not
Quarrel. With Manager

Dressed in WOODEN loungng suit
that at first glance suggested pajamas,
Maurice Macterlinck, in the reception
room of his apartment at 80 West For
tieth Street, yesterday shadow boxed,
told of his conversations on philosophc
topics with "Kid" Mccoy, recounted
his sparring bouts with Georges Car
pentier, French champion, and gave out
statement indicating his intention to
continue his lectures in this country in
French with the aid Of an English in
terpreter. The poet has retained
Stanchiield Levy as legal counsel.
Major j. B. Pond, under whose bu-
reau the Belgian poet is booked to tour
the country. upon seeing Maeterlinck's
statement, declared that failure of the
poet to lecture in English would be an
imposition on the American public.
From the first" he declared, "the
tour has been engineered for failure.
Mr.. Maeterlinck came here for the
highest figure given in recent years
for foreign lecturer. Although my
contract did not say so, he came know
ing that he was expected to speak in
English. | have letters from him show
ing that he knew that was expected.
Four Cities Cancel
Gas the result of last Fridays fiasco
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Ann Arbor,
Mich, and Pittsburgh have already
cancelled their lecture dates, declaring
they will not hear him in French or
with an English assistant. Toledo will
probably do the same In Brooklyn and
at Carnegie Hall for Wednesday night
we are now refunding money.
"lf Mr.. Maeterinck must speak in
French, then that is basis for a con-
sultation and possibly a new contract.
But while he has so far been very
courteous to me, he would not talk
business the two times have seen him,
and l am unable to do so. If can
collation. is forced, shall, of course,
use legal means to protect my in
terests."
Mr.. Maeterlinck's statement said:
II want to acknowledge from the
bottom of my heart the hospitality
which has been rendered to me since
reaching your country. I am unable
at this time to reply to each Of the
many tributes and expressions Of re-
gard | have received, but when i'll the
spring ! shall have returned to che
tranquility of my garden I hope to be
able to make fitting response. I would
that my home in Nice were great
palace to which | could invite all my
hosts and kind friends.
Declines Controversy
"You ask me about the statement Of
my manager, Mr.. Pond, but / must beg
you to permit me to avoid controversy.
Already l have had my patience tried
and have endured much in order merely
to have peace. Only would l say that
| was persuaded against my will to
attempt q lecture in your language,
which / know only as a reader and a
translator of Shakespeare. I did not
and would not sign any contract which
obliged me to lecture in English. Yield
ing to the continual persuasion Of my
manager, and though not obligated to
do so, ] made the attempt and, except
for the torture which I inflicted upon a
patient audience. I am only the more
keen to master the spoken English
tongue, which 1 have long known and
admired
81 beg Of you not to dwell upon the
reflections that have been made upon
my friends and assistants. Those re-
Elections are as absurd as they are un-
sense of gratitude to my friend, Mr..
Henry Russell, and my. obligation to
DR.. st. Croix Wright and Mr.. W. R.
Macdonald for doing their utmost to
make my tour a success.
"I shall certainly continue my lee
lures in America. as l have message
to. deliver to your people. My plan is
to speak in French. and in case all do
not understand, the purport Of my work
will be given in English"
understood by Mr.. Pond that be could
not lecture in English, and he did so,
he said, only to help Mr.. Pond. Mr..
Russell. who was present at the inter
view, declared he had once heard the
poet try to read a page Of English and
"had fallen under the table laughing"
I'm Mr.. Pond wishes to cancel the
tour" said Mr.. Russell, speaking with
Mr.. Maeterlinck's approval, "all right.