e a dan danmale u e a dan danmale u
novelist, whose death, at the age of sixty-nine, was briefly reported novelist, whose death, at the age of sixty-nine, was briefly reported
in our last week's issue, had a distinguished carcer, first in medicine in our last week's issue, had a distinguished carcer, first in medicine
and then in literature, in which he came to be known as the German and then in literature, in which he came to be known as the German
De Maupassant. IIe was born in Vienna in May, 1862, and was the De Maupassant. IIe was born in Vienna in May, 1862, and was the
son of Johann Schnitzler, a Professor of Laryngology, who won con son of Johann Schnitzler, a Professor of Laryngology, who won con
siderable renown, and who made his home a meeting-place for many siderable renown, and who made his home a meeting-place for many
literary, musical and artistic friends. Thus young Schnitzler had literary, musical and artistic friends. Thus young Schnitzler had
opportunities for wide discussion and reading. Ile studied medicine opportunities for wide discussion and reading. Ile studied medicine
at the Vienna University, and, after graduating at the age of twenty at the Vienna University, and, after graduating at the age of twenty
three, went to London where he walked the hospitals in order to three, went to London where he walked the hospitals in order to
gain experience, and later settled in Vienna as a practitioner. Hlis gain experience, and later settled in Vienna as a practitioner. Hlis
passion for literature and the drama, however, led him to passion for literature and the drama, however, led him to
devote more and more time to writing and to the production of devote more and more time to writing and to the production of
those plays and books that reveal him as a master of subtle those plays and books that reveal him as a master of subtle
and forceful characterisation with the slightest of material for and forceful characterisation with the slightest of material for
plot. He soon became recognised as a supreme delineator of plot. He soon became recognised as a supreme delineator of
Viennese life and portrayed the gaiety and irresponsibility «f its Viennese life and portrayed the gaiety and irresponsibility «f its
pre-war pleasures with a remarkable insight and brilliant irony. pre-war pleasures with a remarkable insight and brilliant irony.
lis analytical and constructive mind made his short novels, lis analytical and constructive mind made his short novels,
artistically, the most satisfying of his works. It was said that artistically, the most satisfying of his works. It was said that
Schnitzler's interest in medicine, which he had throughout his career, Schnitzler's interest in medicine, which he had throughout his career,
maintaining a small practice to the end, was less in the science itself maintaining a small practice to the end, was less in the science itself
than in the light which his study of pathology onabled him to tbrow than in the light which his study of pathology onabled him to tbrow
on human motives and conduct. A number of Schnitzler's plays have on human motives and conduct. A number of Schnitzler's plays have
been produced in London including “ Professor Bernhardi," which wes been produced in London including “ Professor Bernhardi," which wes
presented by the Jewish Drama League last March. The deceased, presented by the Jewish Drama League last March. The deceased,
though he took no active part in Jewish affairs was a proud member though he took no active part in Jewish affairs was a proud member
of his race and was keenly interested in the broad aspects of the Jew's of his race and was keenly interested in the broad aspects of the Jew's
place in the secial organism. In 1926 he declined to write or speak in place in the secial organism. In 1926 he declined to write or speak in
Hungary because be refused, on principle, to lecture in a country Hungary because be refused, on principle, to lecture in a country
where, he said, “The White Terror has raged against the Jews and where, he said, “The White Terror has raged against the Jews and
where anti-Jewish discrimination is still practised." Schnitzler's where anti-Jewish discrimination is still practised." Schnitzler's
attitude to his people can best be summed up in his own words, in au attitude to his people can best be summed up in his own words, in au
interview he recently granted te a forcigu newspaper: interview he recently granted te a forcigu newspaper:
To be a Jew is a very fine art. It needs a great denl of ability and To be a Jew is a very fine art. It needs a great denl of ability and
much understanding. Many Jews have a habit of constantly proclaiming much understanding. Many Jews have a habit of constantly proclaiming
pride in being a Jew. This 1 detest ; it is as objectionable as the boasting pride in being a Jew. This 1 detest ; it is as objectionable as the boasting
of some people about their greatness. Then again, there are Jews who of some people about their greatness. Then again, there are Jews who
go to the other extreme of endeavouring to hide their Jewishness. Such go to the other extreme of endeavouring to hide their Jewishness. Such
cowardice is abominable to me. The enlightened Jew—and he is not as cowardice is abominable to me. The enlightened Jew—and he is not as
rare as some imagine—stands between these two objectionable extremes. rare as some imagine—stands between these two objectionable extremes.
He regards his Jewishness as a natural part of himself, in the same way He regards his Jewishness as a natural part of himself, in the same way
as a man of any other nationality regards himself. Ile is proud of his as a man of any other nationality regards himself. Ile is proud of his
Jewish heritage but does not advert se the fact. If his people require his Jewish heritage but does not advert se the fact. If his people require his
assistance, he gives it according to the best of his ability. In other assistance, he gives it according to the best of his ability. In other
words, he is a Jew in deeds aud feels Jewish but does not go about words, he is a Jew in deeds aud feels Jewish but does not go about
advertising it. I have always tried to follow that line with the result advertising it. I have always tried to follow that line with the result
that some have at times accused me of having alienated myself from my that some have at times accused me of having alienated myself from my
people. Of course it is not true. It is ridiculous to say that I hold myself people. Of course it is not true. It is ridiculous to say that I hold myself
aloof from my people, simply because I don't aet as an advertising agent aloof from my people, simply because I don't aet as an advertising agent
of Jews. I am as absorbed in Jewis'i problems to-day as ever of Jews. I am as absorbed in Jewis'i problems to-day as ever
was. I never forget tha first and foremost 1 am a Jew. My love for was. I never forget tha first and foremost 1 am a Jew. My love for
my people has been intensifled by anti-Semitism. my people has been intensifled by anti-Semitism.
I soon I soon
* *
became convinced that Jewish life to day was dominated by two became convinced that Jewish life to day was dominated by two
factors ; anti-Semitism and Zionism. Tho modern Jew has given up factors ; anti-Semitism and Zionism. Tho modern Jew has given up
many Jewish traditions, but something vitally Jewish remained in his many Jewish traditions, but something vitally Jewish remained in his
being ; this something together with the anti-Jewish elements that are being ; this something together with the anti-Jewish elements that are
abroad will always assure the continuity of the Jewish people. Anti¬ abroad will always assure the continuity of the Jewish people. Anti¬
Semitism, which aims at the destruction of the Jewish people, completely Semitism, which aims at the destruction of the Jewish people, completely
misses its objective. Its victim is not destroyed but, on tho contrary, misses its objective. Its victim is not destroyed but, on tho contrary,
becomes stronger, more resolute and more diguifled than ever. As for becomes stronger, more resolute and more diguifled than ever. As for
Zionism, 1 am interested in it, not merely as a solution to the Jewish Zionism, 1 am interested in it, not merely as a solution to the Jewish
problem, but as a unifying force of Jewry, a force that binds Jews all tho problem, but as a unifying force of Jewry, a force that binds Jews all tho
world over to strive for a common aim. Whether Zionism will solve the world over to strive for a common aim. Whether Zionism will solve the
Jowish problem or not, the mere striving after a great aim is in itself of Jowish problem or not, the mere striving after a great aim is in itself of
great importance and exercises a tremendous influence on all who work great importance and exercises a tremendous influence on all who work
for the common cause. for the common cause.
The funeral was on Friday last in the Jewish Section of the The funeral was on Friday last in the Jewish Section of the
Vienna Central Cemetery. In accordance with instructions left in Vienna Central Cemetery. In accordance with instructions left in
Dr. Schnitzler’s will, the greatest simplicity was observed. He Dr. Schnitzler’s will, the greatest simplicity was observed. He
was buried in a grave of honour given by the Jewish Community was buried in a grave of honour given by the Jewish Community
but there were no speeches and a short prayer only was recited by but there were no speeches and a short prayer only was recited by
the Cantor. Dr. Schnitzler's will requested that no wreaths should the Cantor. Dr. Schnitzler's will requested that no wreaths should
be placed on the grave and that no notification of his death should be placed on the grave and that no notification of his death should
be sent to his friends or published as an advertisement in the Press. be sent to his friends or published as an advertisement in the Press.
He ordered that his heart should be pierced before burial and that He ordered that his heart should be pierced before burial and that
the funeral should be of the typs arranged for a poor man, without the funeral should be of the typs arranged for a poor man, without
speeches, rites or ceremonies. Ile also directed that the money speeches, rites or ceremonies. Ile also directed that the money
saved on bis funeral should be donated to the hospitals and that no saved on bis funeral should be donated to the hospitals and that no
mourning should be observed after him. Large crowds attended mourning should be observed after him. Large crowds attended
the funeral, including many of the leading writers, artists and the funeral, including many of the leading writers, artists and
savants of Vienna, as well as reprosentatives of the Government savants of Vienna, as well as reprosentatives of the Government
and Muuicipality. During the ceremony the flag at the Municipal and Muuicipality. During the ceremony the flag at the Municipal
Theatre was flown half-mast. Theatre was flown half-mast.
Schnitzler as a Jewish Writer. Schnitzler as a Jewish Writer.
DY CIIARIES LAANDSTONE. DY CIIARIES LAANDSTONE.
Arthur Schnitzler, whose death was announced last weck, Arthur Schnitzler, whose death was announced last weck,
belonged to that prosperous, care frec, pre-war Viennese Jewish upper belonged to that prosperous, care frec, pre-war Viennese Jewish upper
middie class, which, three generations removed from the (hetto, had middie class, which, three generations removed from the (hetto, had
almost forgotten that they were Jews. Ile commenced to write in almost forgotten that they were Jews. Ile commenced to write in
1890, aud reached int rnational fane as the interpreter of the 1890, aud reached int rnational fane as the interpreter of the
light hearted Viennese "Suesses Maedl"; skilfully portrayed in the light hearted Viennese "Suesses Maedl"; skilfully portrayed in the
frivolous “ Anatol" and the sexual “Reigen a play so daring iu frivolous “ Anatol" and the sexual “Reigen a play so daring iu
oven his own boiy ot worshippers with his novel oven his own boiy ot worshippers with his novel
The Rond The Rond
to the Open. to the Open.
In this book, Schnitzler, with his uncanny In this book, Schnitzler, with his uncanny
power of creating atmosphere, presented a lifelike picture of the power of creating atmosphere, presented a lifelike picture of the
rich Jewish professional class, from which he bimself had sprung. rich Jewish professional class, from which he bimself had sprung.
l'he main two characters, George Wergethin and Anna Rosner, l'he main two characters, George Wergethin and Anna Rosner,
were not Jewish, but they moved in an artistie, Bohemian circle, were not Jewish, but they moved in an artistie, Bohemian circle,
which was almost exclusively Jewish. The story opens in the which was almost exclusively Jewish. The story opens in the
salon of Ehrenberg, a Jewish munition maker. The father salon of Ehrenberg, a Jewish munition maker. The father
delights in flaunting his Judaisi and Zionism at the receptions delights in flaunting his Judaisi and Zionism at the receptions
given by his wife and his daughter, Elsa, who fancies herself as a given by his wife and his daughter, Elsa, who fancies herself as a
patronness of the arts. The son “ Oscar" writhes at bis father's patronness of the arts. The son “ Oscar" writhes at bis father's
malicious delight in speaking Yiddish in front of him. Round this malicious delight in speaking Yiddish in front of him. Round this
family the story revolves and every conceivable kind of Jew is family the story revolves and every conceivable kind of Jew is
depicted. The chief interest, after the love story of George and depicted. The chief interest, after the love story of George and
Anna, is centred in George's two friends, Heinrich Berman, a Anna, is centred in George's two friends, Heinrich Berman, a
novelist and Leo Golowski, a musician. Leo is an ardent young novelist and Leo Golowski, a musician. Leo is an ardent young
Jewish Nationalist. Ile sees the movement rising as a message Jewish Nationalist. Ile sees the movement rising as a message
of regeneration for the Jewish people, feels the cry for Palestine of regeneration for the Jewish people, feels the cry for Palestine
within him, like an artistic inspiration. But Berman will have within him, like an artistic inspiration. But Berman will have
none of it. TTo him all nationalities and all religions are as one. none of it. TTo him all nationalities and all religions are as one.
He “regards with anger an1 scorn the attempt to collect He “regards with anger an1 scorn the attempt to collect
from all corners of the world, members of a race whose best from all corners of the world, members of a race whose best
men have always merged into the culture of the land of their men have always merged into the culture of the land of their
adoption, and to send them to a foreign land, a land to which adoption, and to send them to a foreign land, a land to which
no home sickness calls them.” And George, the Christian, as he no home sickness calls them.” And George, the Christian, as he
listens to them, “realises some idea of this people's mysterious listens to them, “realises some idea of this people's mysterious
destiny, which always expresses itself in every one who springs destiny, which always expresses itself in every one who springs
from the race, not less in those that try to escape from this origin from the race, not less in those that try to escape from this origin
of theirs, as though it were a disgrace, a fairy tale which did not of theirs, as though it were a disgrace, a fairy tale which did not
concern them at all, than in those who obstinately pointed back to concern them at all, than in those who obstinately pointed back to
it as though to a piece of destiny, an honour or an historical fach it as though to a piece of destiny, an honour or an historical fach
based on an immovable foundation. based on an immovable foundation.
In the character of “ George," Schnitzler, standing outside him¬ In the character of “ George," Schnitzler, standing outside him¬
self, undoubted' endeavoured to prohe his own attitude te the self, undoubted' endeavoured to prohe his own attitude te the
Jowish question,and, four years later, in “Professor Bernhardi,a Jowish question,and, four years later, in “Professor Bernhardi,a
play which, on account of the religious controversies it raised, was play which, on account of the religious controversies it raised, was
for years banned in Central Europe, he drew the picture (almost for years banned in Central Europe, he drew the picture (almost
biographical of his father) of a Jewish doctor, who refusing to budge biographical of his father) of a Jewish doctor, who refusing to budge
from what he conceives to be his duty as a physician, finds himself from what he conceives to be his duty as a physician, finds himself
involved in a political clash, wherein the anti-Semites endeavour to involved in a political clash, wherein the anti-Semites endeavour to
make a scapegoat of him. This play, translated by Hetty Landstonè, make a scapegoat of him. This play, translated by Hetty Landstonè,
was produced by the Jewish Drama League at the Phoenix Theatre was produced by the Jewish Drama League at the Phoenix Theatre
last March. last March.
These two works, out of a total of about sixty plays and novels, These two works, out of a total of about sixty plays and novels,
represented Schnitzler's sole incursions into a specifical'y Jewish represented Schnitzler's sole incursions into a specifical'y Jewish
field. They stand without rivals, as the most skilful representations field. They stand without rivals, as the most skilful representations
of that pre-war Jewish element in Central Europe, which reigned of that pre-war Jewish element in Central Europe, which reigned
supreme in art and medicine. From the point of view of literature, supreme in art and medicine. From the point of view of literature,
they are undoubtedly his two greatest works and, incidentally, the they are undoubtedly his two greatest works and, incidentally, the
two in which he himself took the most pride. two in which he himself took the most pride.
Schnitzler never really forgot that he was a Jew, and after “ The Schnitzler never really forgot that he was a Jew, and after “ The
Road to the Open and Professor Bernhardi," the public could Road to the Open and Professor Bernhardi," the public could
not forget it. When, in 1920, the production of “ Reigen" in Vienna not forget it. When, in 1920, the production of “ Reigen" in Vienna
created an outcry by the Churches; when armed policemen stood created an outcry by the Churches; when armed policemen stood
outside the box office and scrutinised every applicant for seats, it outside the box office and scrutinised every applicant for seats, it
was no shout of high moral purpose which came from the howling was no shout of high moral purpose which came from the howling
mob of students in the street—it was simply “ Down with the Jews." mob of students in the street—it was simply “ Down with the Jews."