SERVIAN WAR FEVER.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12468, 18 February 1909, Page 4

SERVIAN WAR FEVER.

|" \ A remarkable play was put" on the •" boards of the National Theatre last c night by Servia's second leading dra- *! aiatist.(wrptethhe, "Standard's" Bel- „ grade correspondent on December j 26th). The .first— it is well known— is the prince of Montenegro, whose c patriotic sentiments aud poetic facil- •_■ ity are happily blended. ■ Nusics. his t emulator, took for his subject the cxc ploits of the Bosnian hero, Had]i Loya, c >vho resisted, the Austrian occupation il jf his native province, and fell shoute ing: ''Drive them out!" • The stiimi--8 lated combats between the ' Imperial . or.oops and- the insurgents were so ; realistic . last night that twice - real - olpod flowed on the stage; -As it was impossible .to find among the supere aumeries any willing to don theAusiirian uniform, Gypsies had to be calls ad in to fill-, the ranks. Their role was - pitiful, for;, they were unmercifully r pelted by the audience,: afid, as the ' play proceeded, and passions waxed J stronger,, they barely showed ihem- \ selves, and; fled. "Volleys of shots are 2 jharactoristic of all Servian pieces, but r iho firing, last night was so continus bus that the stage was obscured altogether, and the atmosphere of the, hall grew thick with smoke. Some 3 ladies, who 'were overcome, attempted [ to leave .their seats, but refrained be- !' fore jeers from the gallery : "Nice Hod ; Cross Sisters!" "Much good you'll be " to lis'on the .battlefield!" "Who J .vants to. riurse in time of war must j learn to stand the smell of powder!" 3 After the last act the customary -.vreath prepared for the author was waved aside, and he accepted instead, from a group iri the audience, a new quick-firing rifle. It was with this ap- [ prbpriate offering slung over his . shoulder that he bowed his thanks. 3 ."'■ ■• ', .I"'.- •' ' .