BAN ON “DAWN” IS WIDELY RESENTED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6543, 27 February 1928, Page 7

BAN ON “DAWN” IS WIDELY RESENTED

Felt Action Taken at Dictates of Germany FRANCE WOULD NOT TOLERATE SUCH STEP [By Electric Cable-Copyright.] [Aust and N.Z. Cable Association.] • (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb, 25. While there arc many who consider it is time tho British film industry dropped war films and competed with Hollywood with a thousand fino stones in the language tho ban on the “ Lawn ” picture at the dictates of Germany is universally resented. People arc asking whether war books will be banned also and will Britain, allow German war films to bo screened in England 1 Not tho least interesting aspect of tho widespread controversy is tho declaration of Professor Morgan » I am in a position to state tho exact facts. They are that Nurse Cavell was not properly tried. She was murdered.” Professor Morgan points out that she vUs not tried court-martially but under a code of laws introduced into Belgium which was only applicable to German subjects. It was a flagrant violation of international law. The French attitude is interesting. There is reason to believe that any attempt by Germany to prevent the screening in Franco will bo given short, shrift. “ The Echo dc Paris ” describes tho prohibition, as “ Gott strafe Thorndike for daring to impersonate the heroine,” and wonders whether Germany will demand the removal of the Armistice Coach from Eethordcs where the Germans finally gave in. Other newspapers say that it is part of m campaign to relievo Germany of responsibility for the war. The German Government thus far has remained silent.

HECTIC MOVIE DIFFERENT FROM DIGNIFIED MEMORIAL. A RHETORICAL MAZE. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. Thu “ Daily Telegraph” features a letter from Lord Birkenhead addressed from the India Office, Whitehall, and headed “ Real Issues of Cavell film.” He asks: “Is it in the interests of peace and international goodwill to perpetuate by public exhibition incidents of the war which must embitter its memories ? Do or do we not desire a new era of peace to dawn throughout Europe 9 Do or do wo not desire by every means in our power to increase the mutual good feeling which must be established in Europe unless all alike are to perish in the ruin 1 “Do we servo a useful purpose by exasperating and humiliating a Government which has shown by its repudiation of the Hohenzollern dynasty its opposition thereof 9 t “I myself have thought it was commonplace that every man and woman who does not wish his sons involved in another war would strive to banish the memory of unhappy things.” Replying to the argument that the statue of Nurse Cavell is inconsistent witli these views Lord Birkenhead doslares: “ A dignified memorial has no moro relation to a hectic film than a classical picture of the crucified Jesus has to an attempt to commercialise His anguish. “ Does anyone suppose that a woman in the moment of her agony could say 1 patriotism is not enough, there must be no hatred or bitterneus for anyone/ could permit her death to ho commercialised with the certain result that the bitter memories associated therewith would prevent the sweet restoration of friendship and good -relationship between the nations of the world 9 11 What is the object of this adventure 9 Arc the profits to be devoted to charity 9 Will they bo used to establish a scholarship to train the new generation of women up to Nurse Cavell's standards, or are they intended to enrich the producers? “ If this is the purpose is it decent to exploit the agony and sacrifice of the noblest womau the war produced 9 ”