The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-29
NATIONAL GAME
GREAT PASTIME
FOR SOLDIERS
Games Has Helped to Improve
Morals Of the United States
Troops on Duty.

That baseball has been an import
ant factor in improving the morale or
the United States troops is evidenced
in the reports Of several army ofhcers
and especially in the reports from the
Philippines. More men are actual par
Elephants in the game than in any
other branch OF sport, and the soldiers
are taking such a live interest in the
game that the forms OF recreation ana
amusement which have been detri-
mental rather than beneficial to the
men are gradually decreasing.
The enthusiasm for athletic sports
among the soldiers in the Philippines
has become so prominent that Gen
eraI Bell has issued an order for the
formation OF an athletic council to
regulate sports OF all kinds and place
them on a purely amateur basis.
This council will consist OF one
officer from each regiment. There
will also be a board of representatives
to assist the council, consisting of one
non-commissioned officer from the
coast artillery, the Philippine scouts,
and the engineer, signal, hospital, and
Quarterm astsr corps.
Army officers are also encouraged
over the fact that wherever the United
States soldiers come in contact WIN
the soldiers OF other nations baseball
1S regRrded as IHo OhS sPhI !" hAS1' -
the future will eventually become an
international affair.
Other Nations Interested.
Major Palmer E Pierce, who has
lust returned from flemish, China,
where he has been on duty with the
Fifteenth United States infantry, says
that the soldiers Of other nations have
become interested in the American
game, and a series Of games played
there last summer for the champion
ship OF the regiment attracted the
officers and men OF all the other ma
tions. The games were played TOT
alton park, Tientsin. A large crowc
attended the final game, after which
the winners were presented with the
trophies. The same interest in the
game was shown in the recent Giant
White Sox worlds tour.
International contests in track and
field athletics have cen established,
and are doing much to improve the
moral as well as the physical welfare
If the men. The United States has
had two battaIions Of the Fifteenth in
fantrv stationed at Tientsin since
January, 1912. These troops are part
of the international force safeguard
ing the approaches to Picking.
Besides the Americans, there are
Russians, Japanese, French, Germans,
Austrians and Italians. When on duty
these troops fraterntze and the great
est good will and harmony prevail.
On national fete days all the nations
represented join in the festivities. The
English celebrate the kings birthday
IN June the German oserve the
kaiser's in January, and the Japanese
the rnikado's during December The
Russians hold the fete in honor OF the
new year about January Is, the
French on July 10 in honor of the fall
of the Bastile, and the Americans July
None of the gatherings is of greater
interest than the various athletic field
DAYS The nations hold these at stat
n intervals, and two International
meets were held last year, one under
the auspices OF the English and the
otHer by the French. Civilians were
invited to compete with the soldiers,
The American troops held two athletic
meets, obth of which were very sue
eessfuL
In the international meet held by
fffe British the Americans were nrst
IA the 440-yard run and in the four
nan relay team. In the International
meet held under the auspices OF the
French troops the Americans got even
more honors In these two meets the
United States soldiers got eight frsts,
nine seconds, nine thirds and nine
fourtIs.
The British soldiers are devoted to
boxing, and the egimental con-
tests provide excellent sport. Sur
rounding the ringside are all the rsgi-
mental officers in their striking red
mess Jackets, while massed in the rear
- the entire enlisted personnel in
dress uniform. The setting is pic
tlkssaue. The boxing of the British
soldiers is OF high order. They have
the element of hard, fair fighting IT
IS the surprise OF all the oGner Troops
~ Tieutsien, the number Of British
soldiers who talte part IN boxing as
On exercise.
The English soldiers also play
cricket and rugby. The football