Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-22
Bv CHRISTY MATHENSON

By CHRlSTY MATHEWSON.
The European war has proved one
thing, and has proved it definitely, and
from the condition this country should
draw a lesson. In the European ccjn-
fiict the man who was in good physi-
cal shape was best equipped to be a
soldier in a hurry, for he was ready to
stand hardships and to endure long
marches The other requirements of
a soldier can be learned readily and
quickly, as l. understand it, If the re-
eruit has a good constitution as a
foundation on which to build.
q Every man in this country, who is
physically able, should take up athlet-
les in some form, so that he will al
ways keep his body in condition. In
this way, in the event of a war, the
government would have large body
of fit men on which to draw, and
these men, with a little drilling,
should become good soldiers, for they
have the first essential of a soldier,
which is endurance. Also they are
learning that nothing can be won
without courage while they are in
dulging in. athletics, and, in this way,
are training themselves to face greater
personal dangers in the event Of
war
Favors Compulsory Work. .-'
As far as possible athletics should
be made compulsory in the public
schools and colleges, for the athlete is
not only better for his country in
times of peace, but also in times of
war. 1t has been the recent tendency
toward athletics in America which
has resulted iIEseyeral states becom-
ing .prDl5tftief, |. kelieNe. Clean liv-
ing is an eneiny ~ cessive 1rinking,
although 1 cannot y tina. if u &ners
put straight up to ME, would declare
myself for prohibition. If man will
drink moderately, so that his health
and efficiency are not impaired, the
sale of intexicants would do no harm,
but this would not be more than an
occasional glass of beer. Health
means efficiency There is no real
health without some exercise.
Ball players, both in the major and
minor leagues, as well as on semi-pro-
fessional college teams, should make
good soldiers because baseball re-
quires courage, endurance and good
eye Nest bali players hunt each fall,
and therefore are used to handling a
gun. A good many big leaguers are
soldiers" now, but that part of their
training would not do them any good
in case of war.
Jolt for Olympic Games.
in Austria, Germany and France the
athletes have been called to enter the
army and so far have acquitted them
selves very well. But this war is, Ger
tainly going to have a bad effect on
the Olympic games. Even if ma
jority of the athletes should survive
the hardships and bullets and even if
the war should be over by 1916 when
the Olympic games are scheduled, so
much of the vitality of these men
would be- sapped that they would be
in no shape to compete in the con-
tests. AL Copeland had gone to Aus
tria recently to train the representa-
uves of that nation for the games.
He thought he had fair prospects of
winning until the war broke when
none vas left to train.
Even if the war should be over be-
fore the games" said Copeland. liter
he returned to the United States re-
Gently, none of the nations taking
part in the conflict would have any
men fit to compete in the games.
Many Of the athletes will be killed or
die from sickness, and the rest would
be too much worn by their efforts to
compete successfully. Every man
was training except one went with