KAISER'S BUST REJECTED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2210, 24 July 1914, Page 7

KAISER'S BUST REJECTED.

"AN OBJECT CAPABLE OF PRO-. ; . ' VOICING A SCANDAL." . The committeo of the-'Society of French. Artists;, whose salon 'opened at the Grand Palais at " the end of April, have laid it down that the head and shoulders of the Kaiser's statue is an "object .Capable of, provoking, ascandal," and as such they have refused to allow a bust of the Emperor to- be shown at their, exhibition! The' president of tho society. in his anxi- , ,cty to avert any regrettable incident such as he believed might occur if the "provocative bust"- were' displayed, has inadvertently placed the Kaiser in a category which is hardly flattoring. "If. a work is judged capable of causing disorders or of injuring morals,'' lie says; f'we are empowered to refuse to accept it." _ ' . ' V,'.' It is a Gorman sculptor, Hcrr W Bezner, whose patriotic instincts led him to wish to.exhibit tho bust of the Kaiser. Hcrr Bezner yielded to 'the. argumen! of the president of tho society, but afterwards said: "If you are afraid of a hostile manifestation, find .some quiot little corner for my bust where it will not be seen."

"But we cannot do this," exclaimed the committee in dismay. "Diplmoacy forbids. Tho bust ot an important person like tlio Kaisor must be put in the place of honour." Horr Bezner this time definitely promised not to send his bust. Tho liaiser expressly authorised Herr Bezner to exhibit the bust in Paris. . '■