The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-07-18
ARE
BETTER SPORTS
Than ENGLISH
Admits a London Paper and
Wrong Impression among
Britons is Corrected.
tsY Assoe,ArEs paxss,

LONDON, July 1s.-The London
Truth, discussing international sports,
declares that while for years 1t has
been an article OF faith with the Brit
ish that Americans are not sportsmen,
one thing after another lately has
gone to disprove this charge. The
writer reviews many instances of
friendly competition, including the re-
cent polo matches when the Americans
|. acted from spirit of sportsmanship
which was IDEAL" in insisting upon the
postponement OF the first match be-
cause Captain Cheape had been injur-
ed in practice
Old Prejudice.
In the line OF athletics he recalled
the traces OF old prejudice that were
seen at the last olympic games, and
added:
"Bounders in sport there must be
on both sides OF the water. But taken
all round the average American ath-
lete is a better blass man than his
English antagonist,
He continues:
u am so sick when advocating rat
ional improvement In athletics OF
hearing the twaddle about Specialize
ton, especially as practiced by the
Americans, that want to point out
that without specialization and or
ganization that (polo) cup would
never have been lifted.'
He pointed to the success which Guy
Nichalls, the past president Of the
Oxford University Boat Club had had
In reorganizing rowing at Yale along
English lines. "
ut was big Job" he Il said. "it
seemed practically impossible that
success could attend his first efforts.
Undergraduates are ticklish people to
deal with, even though their loyalty
and good will may be assured. Well
Yale has won, and believe with fixed
rowlocks, but only by foot. They
must have learned to finish a race.
and there was one good old Etonian
rowing for Harvard. II Yale is wise
they will once again get Guy Nickalls
to help them If he Is prepared to do
so. And II they do, and II they get
hold Of our English style, then there
will be an occasional international
boat race worth seeing.
Oarsmen Mortified.
The way in which these alterations
were carried through was Character
istically American. Having decided
that English methods were best, the
old onesIwere to be scrap-heaped, and
some one who could teach had to be
found. Then, Of course, English oars-
men were respectfully Mortified. Mex
alls had forfeited his amateur status.
AS he knew he would do so, there was
no reason why he should not. The
fact that he has done SO has not af-,
fected one atom his social position in
the States. Nor will It over here, /
rather expect that cy thus breaking
new ground he will find that the atfi.
tude OF Englishmen to this Specialize
tion in professionalism will be ma
terally altered. Perhaps in athletics
we shall now hear less nonsense talk
ed about professional coaching for
university sports. Sir Lauder Brun-
ton advocates the properly instructed
games master for schools. / cannot
see why gentlemen should not UNDER
take work in teaching any sports
without being tabooed and written
down In the social scale. They may
make money by teaching sport BY
writing book but a fee for lesson
l. too horrible for words. This is In
stilar prejudice"