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Ernst Toller (*1. Dezember 1893 in Samotschin, Provinz Posen; gestorben am 22. Mai 1939 in New York City, New York) war ein deutscher Schriftsteller, Politiker und linkssozialistischer Revolutionär.

#1272 Brief an The Daily Telegraph (London)

Datierung 1934-11-02
Absendeort London, Großbritannien
Verfasser Toller, Ernst
Beschreibung

Brief, 1 S., T

Provenienz UT, Harry Ransom Center, Ernst Toller Papers
Briefkopf Ernst Toller
Personen The Daily Telegraph (London)
Carroll, Sydney Wentworth
Toller, Ernst
Institutionen British Drama League
The Daily Telegraph (London)
The Bodley Head (John Lane)
Werke As Others See Us

The Bodley Head, Vigostreet

London W. 1.

November, 2nd, 1934.

To the Editor,

Daily Telegraph,

London.

Sir,

Mr. Sydney Carroll has honoured me by devoting so much of his space to my speech before the British Drama League Conference at Halifax. Unfortunately it is not easy to reply in any coherent manner as apparently he has not read the whole speech from which the few sentences he quotes were taken.

My speech was not “destructive”, but was a tribute to the great English theatrical tradition which I deeply admire and from which, together with many of my contemporaries in other lands I have learnt a great deal. The speech was not really so stupid as Mr. Carroll has contrived to make it appear. It is easy to discredit any speaker by tearing phrases from their context.

I was invited by the British Drama League to speak on the contemporary theatre. At first I hesitated to accept the invitation, since, as a guest in this country I naturally seek to avoid interfering with the country’s affairs. But although nowadays the rule seems to be that only Brazilians may discuss Brazilian coffee and only Americans American oil, literature and the Theatre had always appeared to me as international commodities on the making of which even foreigners, if suitably qualified, may express their opinions. If I have been mistaken, European art today must be in a very sad way indeed.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant.

Ernst Toller.