The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-12
AMERICAS TARS
WORLD BEATERS
Athletic Records in Every
Port.
GRAINED TO THE MINUTE
Physical Culture Aboardship Keeps
Them in Fine Con-
ditiOn.
TRAINED TO THE MINUTE"

Public interest is not infrequently eX-
cited by accounts of the system of train
ing that fits the prizeighter for the
ring or the more elaborate regimen that
Ihe college football players endure be
fore entering the championship game.
Uncle Sans physical culture classes.
in which he develops his 100000 soldiers,
sailors and marines. and keeps them
trained to the minute as they say at
the ringside. present a problem before
whicn the minor training schools sink
into insignihcance-
lack Tar's Condition.
That the jack tar is trained to the
minute is the conviction of the most
unobserving visitor on shipboard who
watches his 1.-the. agile movements, his
firm poise and his muscular develop
ment as shown in the performance OF
his duty.
But Uncle Sans method, despite its
obvious simplicity, IS no less rigorous
than that Of the football coach Out or
material far less promising than that
which the football coach secures and
without the aid OF the multifarious ed
iuncts Of the modern gymnasium he
produces the splendid, erect seamen that
arouse admiration in all ports of the
world.
Given the Cutlass Drill.
The tackles" training begins with
the seting-up exercise. This is the most
elementary Of the physical culture
methods on shipboard. The tars have
stiu further muscular development in
cUtlass drill.
As a weapon the cutlass became OBJ
solete when the days OF boarding ships
and hand-to-hand cornbats passed. Many
old-fashfoned officers still cling TO the
exercise. and at frequent intervals range
SQUADS OF sailors in opposing ranks and
put them through the vigorous drill
which, whatever its practical value
serves TO strengthen the arm and STEADY
the nerves.
These are the physical culture move
nents" that Uncle sam preScrlDes IoI
his sailors. but the tars themselves md
pleasure in still further muscular en-
5Oyment. Every ship carries It's chahl-
pion wrestler and its prize boxer, and
after the days duty Is done many
bout is pulled off under the shadow OF
twelve-inch guns. 70 the approving com
ments OF hundreds OF observant sailors.
Tars Win Athletic Laurels.
That all this muscular development
should result in some expression Of its
perfection Is only natural, and there is
not a harbOr from HOngkOng to Port
Said IN which the American sailor
frequently allied with his British
Brother, has not won athletics laurels
International complications have not
infrequentIy followed the fistic con-
quests of the American tar in some
foreign harbor, where the sailors Of
half the European nations have gone
down before his strong arm.
Discreet naval officers manage TO
ignore these little exploits. There is
many a captain Of whom the tars af-
fectiOnately relate that he never gives
shore leave without putting enough men
ashore 10 represent the nation properly
in case Of hostility. and never inflicts
unduly severe punishment when broken
noses and damaged faces reveal an in
ternatiOnal incident-thar IS. provided
sailors Dut I'D "a winning fight