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Press, Volume L, Issue 15022, 17 July 1914, Page 6

Tho licensing of "Ghosts" by the English Censor is the triumph of Ibsen in England. Rather more than twenty-three years ago Mr J. T. Grein attempted to stage ''Ghosts" in the ordinary way in London, but was refused a license. To circumvent tho Censor, he started tho Independent Theatre, and staged tho play. London was startled and shocked. A perfect hurricane of criticism and abuse was let loose. Tho most popular morning paper in London called this tremendous indictment of sin "an open cesspool." If there aro critics who look back a little shamefacedly to their attitude towards "Ghosts" and other Ibsen plays in those days, they may comfort themselves with the thought that other communities made a similar mistake. In Ibsen's own country there was. in his own words, a •'terrible uproar' when "Ghosts" appeared in ISSI. It was not acted publicly in Scandinavia until ISB3, and the Germans did not produce it until 18S7. Ibsen, iv fact, suffered tho fate of many innovators, and when one remembers tho extreme reticence and prudery of the Victorian Age, the reception of •'Ghosts" in England waa not surprising.

The most curious feature of criticism of "Ghosts" is that it should be called immoral. Repulsive it is, even appalling, but there surely never was a more .teruly mora! play written. Perhaps in no dramatic literature is there a more terrifying picture of tho devastating effects of sin. Powerful as is '"Damaged

Goods," it is tame beside "Ghosts." For in Brieux's play we are really only told of the. off At* of indulgence, but m "Ghosts" the horrible process of degeneration in an innocent man is made visible. But if England perhaps cried out against the play no more loudly than some other countries, it has taken longer to admit the play to the public .tage. The writings of men liko Mr William Archer, the widening circulation of the printed play, occasional "private" performances, and tho awakening of public conscience to the evils of ignorance of certain vital issues—all these have worn down opposition, and Ibsen has triumphed. It is fitting that the first public perfftrmahce of the play should be under the direction of tlie man who courageously introduced it into England twentythree years ago. Mr Grein has won the most notable victory gained for the ireo theatre in our time. It i. a victory,, too, for sanity and morality.

From a strictiy commercial point of view, the Lipton shareholder who, as reported in our .>lo news to-day, told Sir Thomas Lipton not to mind the company, but to "bring back the Cup," was wiser than the shareholders who complained that he was giving too much attention to yachting and not enough to business. For finer advertisement couid thero be for a wide-spread provisioning business like Lipton. than the attempts Sir Thomas has made to "lift" the America Cv .? Nothing else that ho could'have done in the world of sport —or in any. other world for that matter —would have gained sp much publicity for "Lipton's." Ho financed his challenges out of his own money, so the business got a magnificent advertisement without paying for it.

Another act has been played in the strange and oloody drama of Mexico. President Huerta has resigned. It is difficult to get a thoroughly reliable estimate of this man's character, out all authorities describe him as ablo and unscrupulous. Of Indian blood, like Diaz, he has some of Diaz's qualities without his greatness. One of Madero's generals, he rose to the Presidency by treachery against his chief. His responsibility for the murder of Madero does not seem to have been proved, but the oircumstances and tho nian's reputation for ruthle-s----ness incline one to believe that he either • planned or connived at tho deed. Had he had the recognition of tho United States he might have pacified Mexico; without it his usurpation of power plunged the country still deeper into tho mire of anarchy. Drunken, cruel, and selfish —he has apparently little of the desiro for tho betterment of the country which so redeemed that autocrat's rule—Huerta is, by our standards, a very bad man, but by Mexican standards he is no great villain.

Huorta's resignation brings near tho crucial testing of the United States's policy. To eliminate Huerta has been Mr Wilson's object all these months, and he has succeeded. But after Huerta, what? The Constitutionalists, it would seem, must come into their own, and it is jusfc- possiblo that the elevation of Carranza to tho supreme power might pavo tho way to an olection such as the mediator- suggest, and peace. But it is a small- hope. Villa, with his growing power, is the disturbing factor. At any moment he may Ife _>c de facto ruler of Mexico, but the United States, cotikl not possibly recognise him. Washington is reported to be at Huorta's resignation, but Washington will not breathe freely until it knows which of tho Constitutionalist leaders is coming out on top in [the approaching struggle for power.