Georges CLEMENCEAU defends his friend Octave Mirbeau.

Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929)

Autograph letter signed to Octave Mirbeau [?]

Three pages in-8° on Ministry of the Interior letterhead

Paris, August 2, 1906.

“In September I will talk with whomever I think should strike up a conversation. »  

Clemenceau acts in the shadows in support of his friend Mirbeau to defend the “scandalous” and controversial play, Le Foyer, proposed to the Comédie Française.

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» I have just seen DB [?] who is of the opinion, like me, that there is revenge to be taken. We'll take care of it. Quiet, no interviews, silence. You could, however, invite Calmette to point out that Mr. Claretie was authorized to speak about the fine, not about your return to school. Nothing more. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. In September I will chat with whomever I think should strike up a conversation. All yours G. Clemenceau. »

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When, on July 17, 1906, Octave Mirbeau came to read to Jules Claretie – director of the Comédie Française – the first version of his play Le Foyer , the latter was appalled by so many provocations and refused to see the work performed within his walls. After unsuccessfully involving his friends Aristide Briand and Georges Clemenceau – respectively Ministers of Public Education and the Interior in the Sarrien cabinet – Mirbeau resigns himself to giving his comedy to Lucien Guitry, for the Théâtre de la Renaissance, who postpones it to the Greek calendars. After many twists and turns and procedures, the play was finally created on December 7, 1908 at the Comédie Française.