New-York tribune., 1922-12-27
Russian Players
UpheldbyKahn
And Thomas
American Defense Society
Criticism Of Moscow Art
Theater's Visit to u. S.
IL Declared Unwarranted
No Political Significance
Au,i.BoIshevist Leader Here
Saws Troupe Typifies Old
spiritExisting UnderCzars

The protest by the American Defense
,,.,.tv against the forthcoming Amer
- .,~arement Of the players Of the
y.,,o,v Ar. Thester, who viii sail from
cs,rhourx Saturday on the Majestic
=. Nv York, brought forth state
..r,, from several sources here yes
,.-S.v defending the purpose Of the
rr..l.n organization and denying there
:. ,nv political significance attached
% It's visit.
o,o u Kahn. a member Of the COM
,,It,.s q patrons in connection with
-. coming Of ihe Moscow Art Thestsr,
1vvu,tu, Thomas. executive chairman
!, tbs Producing Managers Assoeis-
,,.n. and A. J. Sack, formerly y
,A,rired spokesman for tho RN
n,roers,ic antl-Bolshevik parties. !, 4,
.nonV those who expressed themselves
-,.-sr5ine tho foreign theatrical organ
s,.,ios The Actors Equity Assoeia-
tion asked the indulgence Of the gov
% 4 was said at the Office Of the
Usited States Attorney that no ofheiei
eoenizancs had been taken Of the COM
,ss of tho Russians and that no com
nsn!estions regarding them had been
received.
Kahn Cites French Welcome
II sympathiEs with the motives and
ths aim Of the American Defense seci-
e.y," said Mr. Kahn, "but AmerieAnism
h not 80 frRil Q growth that II naSds
10 be protected from contact with the
Moscow Art TheatoT. The visit Of that
organisation cannot, by any remote
stretch Of the imagination, bo connect
ed With Soviet propaganda. IL Is an
event Of distinct Significance. but thst
significance Is solely and wholly Of an
artistic character.
"By common consent the Moscow Art
Theater stands supreme among organi-
Estions devoted 20 dramatic art
sThe Moscow Art Theatsr has
iust completed a two weeks season in
Paris. Among ali the worlds govern
ments none has been more determined
IN discountenaneing the Soviet govern
mene than that Of France. No people
hRs been, and Is, more opposed 20 Boil
shevism than the French people. No
authorities are more strict in control
ling the admission Of Russians than
those IN charge of the issuance Of
20 France.
yet the French government not only
permitted the visit Of the Moscow Art
Theater TO Paris, but the artists com
posing that troupe were treated with
consideration In official
quarters"
Thomas Regrets Publicity
Mr. Thomas ssidi "As the executive
chairman Of the Producing Managers
Association and as member Of the
committee Of patrons for Mr.. Morris
Gsst's forthcoming engagement Of the
Moscow Art Theater Company, / regret
the publication Of the special article
from Washington by some one speaking
FOR the American Defense Society, re-
iecting upon the purpose OF the visit
'f this company 20 America.
81 assume that the information Of
he American Defense Society concern
ng affairs Russian rests like my
,wn upon hearsay and not upon
or knowledge at fret
hand. The Moscow Art Theater Com
pany most OF us know by reputation.
Mr.. Morris Gest know personally. l
have q high regard for his patriotism
as an American. and for AL Of his
opinions as have heard them ex-
pressed upon political events in
Russia"
Mr.. Sacks views were expressed IN
! letter written 10 Mr.. Thomas. 81
regret deeply" he wrote, "the unwsr-
ranted attack Of the American Defense
Society on the Moscow Art Theater."
He said tAat the theater was "ths
highest creation Of the Russian genius
In art" and that II represents the
Russian people which existed under the
regime Of the Cars and under the
democratic regime Of the provisional
lie declared that 'ft is
that the artists Of the Mos
COW Art Theater had to sign some Of
fetal papers In order 70 be able 70
leave Russia and said that II such
eas the case the American Defense
Society "overrates the Importance Of
hueh a procedure"
Gilmore Defends Visitors
Frank Gilmore, executive secretary
81 the Actors Equity Association, is
kued the following:
"Ths action Of the American Defense
Society in protesting the American
tour Of the Moscow Art Theatsr play
trs is deeply deplored by the Actors
Equity Association. We cannot be
lieve that they have any political af-
tliation and we hope that the govern
ment will place no impediment In their
way. We believe them TO be a COM
pGny Of earnest artists, and as such
Fe American actors wish 20 Welcome
IAsn and 20 learn from the q. Our
sentiment can be best understood from
bur action in making them all honor
ny members Of our association during
heir visit to America"
Morris Gest, under whose direction
he Moscow players are being brought
10 the country. made public yester-
day a statement received from his
Miss Rebeeea Drueker,
who has been travelling with the Mos
row company. Miss Drueker said that
The FreDch government, In issuing
rises 70 members Of the company had
made a notable exception to its regu-
lar attitude in the matter Of communi-
sating with Russia"