Variety (November 1918)

x'. S '..-.■.■■.' VARIETY -*?—!■ _(j_ \ NEW YORK, Nov. 11th, 1918. AFTER more than four years, during which the .World's History has been marked with one of its darkest spots, light and sunshine appear once more and, according to events, its rays will be such as to never allow the Horizon to become dark again. In other words, this war has taught humanity that Brutal Force cannot, should not'and must not. rule and that Democracy is the only safe and secure wa^dr a universal and real human understanding; consequently," now that this question is again in the foreground and the topic in every part of the world, jaiirely the theatrical pro- fession cannot be indifferent because, after all, "Art Knows No Nationality" is generally accepted as being correct, prob- ably due to the fact that it is something different and sMkes the people of eveiy nation either as being instructive, amus- ing, dramatic, novel, daring or sensational—as the case might be—and devoid of anything appertaining to race, class or creed. To those whose artistic or other abilities are dot restricted to one country and who have suffered losses through the clos- ing of the international exchange during this war, the possi- biUtles of a Lasting World Peace are of first importance. Common sense naturally should take it a^ granted and it should be even useless to mention that a Lasting World Peace means the opening of the international exchange in its widest form and free from natjpnal interference in inter- national affairs which are in many cases in direct opposition. Being* an international subjecC it cannot be denied that I can speak with a certain authority on international theatri- cal affairs, having been a Performer, Agent and Manager for almost a lifetime, traveling all over the world, and having conducted an international institution with offices in the most important countries; and, as to the right of 'having isomething seriously to complain of,'' this will surely be bet- ter appreciated and judged as soon as it becomes more widely, truly and,correctly known that the H. B. Marinelli, Ltd., has been perhaps one of the greatest sufferers in the theatrical profession during the war, caused not exactly on account of the International character of this Organization, which would have been a natural result, but brought about and accom- plished mainly and most exclusively through agents and com- petitors who sailed under colors of patriotism and used this. never-failing weapon in war times by inventing unheard-of stories—and artists using similar methods by thus trying to avoid payments—and this has been the unnatural result "Bitterness^ between nations at war is most natural, yet it cannot be denied that same "bitterhea^' is only artificial, inspired or infected by a vicious atmosphere, and can be cured in no time by a radical change to ''Healthier Air.*' How true, this is can easily be proved right here in America, where artists of all nationalities arer working together in the great- est harmony and on the same bills, and those who have^come here have almost instantaneously lost and got rid of that arti- ficial hatred, very much to their own and general welfare, before the United States entered into the war, and since then, thanks to the foresight of the Great Genius, Mr. Woodrow Wilson, very little changes have taken plac^ which is an enormoud credit to the American history, for there can be no questioning the fact that the theatrical profession here has been advancing in every branch in leaps and bounds during the last four years. Jealousy, envy and bitterness must be eliminated, else how could anyone really and seriously consider and conceive the idea and real meaning of a Lasting World Peace and accept same in all its terms, conditions and form and then delib- erately keep one or all of those most poisonous of all seeds right in his very heart so that those could shoot up at any moment again? If a Lasting World Peace is assured and made on the principles and conditions laid down by Presi- dent Wilson, then same cannot possibly be national but must Im fatally or fortunately interaatipnal and eve;^ Individual_ "iniBi bie shblild be tifeated {» M deae^^ ing should be niade more widely known in this respect vlis.: "Because a man is bom in a stable, it does not necessarily follow that he is a horse." A Lasting World Peace looks almost too good to be true, and, as the theatrical profession cannot possibly be exdnded, it ought to be everybodsr's du^ to co-operiate by all ima^- able means so as to make such Peace become a reality com- pletely and everlasting. Judging matters from a strictly common-sense or human- ity point of view, and being consequently devoid of any . national, political or religious character, it seems reasonable that the general conditions and'final basis for the establish- . ment of a Lasting World Peace will be ultimately settled between the nations and their diplomats; but perhaps one Item which would greatly help to establish more friendty understandings should be taken more seriously into con- sideration, as same has an important bearing, and that Is: To induce eVery nation to teach their people and children besides their native language another unlvezsal or interna- - tlonal language—Esperanto or other—because many mison-, derstandings and misdeeds occur for lack of Icnowledge of what exactly that "other fellow" wants ai^d really means; and even people who are supposed to understand and trans* . late languages make unfortunately and frequently most ter- rible mistakes, some through ignorance or not kno^iing bet- vter, others intentionally, and both cases *are very serious Indeed, especially when it comes to matters of contracts or other important documents or terms to be agreed upon. The Importance of one universal language Is so enormous and the solution so simple that It seems almost incredible that same, has not been an accomplished fact long ago when, instead of teaching three, four or more languages an<^ then not being able to understand twenty-five or more others, simply two will not only answer the purpose but also solve the problem of getting an unmistakable universal understanding. ^To people of our profession who live or travel constantly In different countries, ir shoidd also be most valuable and Interesting to study, learn and adopt some of the most strik- ing features, qualities or advantages of different nations so as to become "perfect^' by taking, for instance, from: AMERICA—"Conception and Accomplishing Big ■ Deeds^'—"Humanity'' ENGLAND—"Common Sense"—^"Justice In LawsP* , FRANCE—"Artistic Abilities" — "Polished Man- ner^' GERMANY—"Infinite Organizing"—"Science" U-_ : AUSTRIA—"Klnd-Heartedness" RUSSIA, SPAIN and => HUNGARY—"Chivalrous Deeds in Various Circumstances" If, additional to the above, one could destroy Jealonsy in : every human being in early childhood, then one would have : reached the "Limit of Perfection." Anyhow, let us hope that "The Everlasting World Peace^' will become ^ reality soon and not only In Imagination or on paper, but In acts and deeds so as to establish Happiness, Right, Justice, Humanity, Common Sense and Brotherhood in every part of the Globe, remembering that this object can .only be obtained by universal co-operation and now whilst we are living, and not delay until it is too late or have gone out of existence; and further remembering that we are all bom with the probable intent of eventually accomplishing something more or less important for the benefit of Mankind Progress and CivUIzation; so let us all take advantage of It now and "go to If wholehearted and without losing any time. It is therefore—as a natural consequence of the foregoing —to be expected that "Fashion Creating Novelties"-"Money Making Sensations"—"Record Breaking Staraf' and artists of all descriptions will again delight, emotion, astonish and amuse the people, very much to the Interest of the general welfare, and that they will be welcomed agalti In every coun- Jiyand be appreciated gr.ludged in Accordance io.thelr. talent bnly> solely and exclusively. H. B. MARINELLI