The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-17
FoNDNESs FOR SPORT.
Said to Retard British in Fighting
 the Boers.

Philadelphia North American
 Among the cheerful phenomena of the day. place. While gloom expresses the patient Brit sh taxpayer as he computes the costs of con- quest. the gallant ''or' fcer man. at the froft is not disturbed. He is a prisoner of hope, condemned to fight inglorious battles for his country seven thousand miles from the com forts of home. and he does that with a prop CT enthusiasm. but he also snatches recrea- ton in the intervals of warfare, and his en- thusasm in this pursuit is even greater
 II must be admitted that in the Britisher the sportsman's instinct is highly developed. and with excellent effect upon his character sists in playing golf in the enemy's country he becomes more than Type: he is a Text And unappreciative civilians preach upon him. as thus:
 '"rhe fact of the case Is that most of our officers are fonder of golf and cricket than Guty. Only last week two Boers went to one of our outposts near here right between two blockhouses and left their worn-out horses and took our fresh ones without any of our fcers were playing golf. when they were told the enemy were around. They finished the meanwhile brother Bocr had exchanged their horses and all got away, our men not being able to follow on the Boer horses. That is the kind of thing that is keeping the on.' From a letter from South Africa to the St. James Gazette
 "Our garrison towns represent 8 state of things utterly opposed to the idea of a vigor- ous prosecution of the war. Numerous officers in possession of staff bllets are snugly en- sconcing themselves In comfortable bungalows. obtaining lodging instead of field allow ance, and drawing ration allowance. In fact. the liberal allowances to officers in South Africa seem to counuterbalance their desire for the end for the war.
 Sport is all very well in its way, but on active service the of golf links and ten his courts should not exercise officers ability and attention. while the thousands of polo South Africa 0ed by Government rations) might profitabiy be used to augment the par columns '-FFnm a frf,rn to the London Spectator.
 Here is hilarious contrast-the London popu- to time. roaring Rule, Britannia: Britons never. never. never shall be slaves!' and the GcSTs tha at the fg9t Pursuing golf balls round up their horses.
 An orderly rides furiously across the plain to his commanding officer. who Is leading an attack on the ninth hole; filings himself from his horse. and breathlessly reports that the Boers are raidIng the camp. Whereupon Cap tain the Hon. AlgernOn FitzmIurico lean ing on his niblick, regards him codly through his glass and replies:
 the lieutenant, and say expect to hole out in three and will be with him in half hour And tell him to keep the Boer men off tue links.'
 Away goes the orderly in cloud of dust, and Captain the Hon. Algernon Fitzmaurice. poising his brassie. prepares to drive across a water-course hazard. If any one thinks this sad picture is overdrawn he is respectfully
 i had the pleasure of Observing an instance of the British officers ineradicable passion for sport Pretoria was taken, it will be re- membered, after steady advance from Bioem- fontien-with something like fifty engagements in hfty-slx days-and the forces sat down to rest The Boers withdrew to the nol inward and eastward. but remained a constant threat to the Outposts of the town.
 Within week the officers had arranged to hold steeplechase and men were sent to the flat valley on the west of the town to lay out the Ditches were dug walls ed day Field Marshal Lord Roberts, with his glittering stan-the House of I.ords"-rofe out to the neld followed by nearly every off, fcer in the entire force.
 There were about seventy five entries for the steepechase. and as they swept around the three-mile course. spreading out in the open and closing into laundering masses at the jumps every thought of war was forgot. ten in the thrill of the sport. Quite a number of the men came crOppers-an officer of the Bengal Lancers broke his collar-bone and several ribs-and altogether 1t a very pleasant affair
 day or two later word was received that a whole battaion-of the Scots s(ireys I think had been rounded up and captured by the Boers within fifteen miles of the town. This terest the steeplechase.
 Far be it from me to presume to cast asper- sions upon the British officer He is gen. tleman of the most engaging persunalitv-- brave. generous and willing to fight while there Is breath in him for the honor of his country and his regiment. But the most humble observer is privileged to remark that the Boers cannot be whipped with golf clubs pstted into submission with tennis rackets