"DER TAG."

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2393, 24 February 1915, Page 7

"DER TAG."

SIR JAMES BARBIE'S WAR PLAY ■ One of the finest contributions to the psychology of the war (states a review) is from the pen of Sir J. H. Barrie. J[t is in the form of a brilliant one-act play, and has already been published in the London "Chronicle" and "Telegraph." Messrs. Hodder and stoughton pre now publishing it in book form. "Der Tag," the title of the play, comes from the toast which has been drunk by German officers in reference to "The Day" when Germany would declare war. The cbaraoters are the Kaiser, the Chancellor, an Officer, and the Spirit of Culture. The play, with splendid brevity, states Great Britain's case against Germany. The Emperor, in the undress uniform of a _Prussian general, has fallen asleep at his desk, when the Chancellor and a military adviser come to get him to sign an ultimatum. After certain_ megalomaniac ravings of his the soldier rather rudely reminds him the sword must speak now, assuring him that the day to which they have so often drunk has come. The statesman, on the other hand, pledges his credit that Britain will not join in just then, and artfully puts the "infamous proposition" of Germany into the mouth of France.

To their counsel to take the easiest way the Emperor sternly objects that Belgium is a road barred by honour. Left alone, however, he reflects that this is his zenith. .He sees Paris taken in three'weeks, and Calais quickly his. ' 'London, unfortified and panic-stricken, falls in a day," he cried. "Nest I strike. America." He beholds himself, indeed, dictator of the world, and the way to universal peace thus secured. Then there appears to him the symbolic figure of Culture, whom he greets as a friend. "Yes," Bhe replies, "you have done much for mo, and as Kings go you have been a worthy King. .- . . But I have many homes, and the fairest 13 in France." She admits that never was Emperor so powerful or so trusted, yet solemnly bias him beware of' Belgium. When she has gone the Emperor dreams that he has chosen the better part, and that there will be no war, but a, vision of Reims Cathedral wrapped in flames awakens him to the bitN ter truth. Outraged Culture reappears to remind him how the English nave fought at Crecy and Agincourt and Waterloo with all their dead to help them; also of the ghostly millions who now salute him. And in his agcr.y of remorsejCulture has but cold comfort to offer him. Culture: There is no Belgium now. But over what was Belgium there rests a soft light as of a halo, and through it is a naming sword. Emperor: I dreamt I had kept my plighted word to Belgium. Culture: It was you, 0 Emperor, who broke your plighted word andTaid waste the land. In the lust for viotory you violated even the laws of war -which men contrive so that when the sword is sheathed they may dare again face, their Maker. Your way to Him is lighted now by smouldering spires and ashes that were once fair academic goves of mine. . And you shall seek m over, roads cobbled, with the moans of innocents.

Emperor: In my dream I thought England was grown' degenerate and would not fight. ' Culture: She fought you where Crecy was and Agincourt and Waterloo, with all their dead to help bei. The.dead became quick in their ancient graves, stirred by the tread of the island feet, and they, cried out, t'How is England doing?" The living answered the dead upon their bugles with the "All's well." England, 0 Emperor, was grown degenerate, but you have made her great again. ' ft What makes the play so finely impressive is its note of magnanimity, its calm restraint, says the "Telegraph." "If God is with tne- Allies Germany will not be destroyed." That splendid sentenoe is the crowning glory of the play. " . .' .