New-York tribune., 1918-11-26
Y.M.C.A.Men
Now Directing
French Sports
Poilus Learn American
Games Quickly, but Have
Trouble With Baseball

The remarkable hold which the
American athletics and sport gained in
France with the entry of the United
States army is being illustrated in
many ways, and there are indications
that the return to peaceful conditions
will only augment this popularity
Competent observers hold firmly to the
opinion that the coming years will wit
ness a wonderful growth in interna-
tional sport competition the seeds of
which have been sown by the soldier
in khaki and those who entered Eu-
rope with him in advisory or other
helpful capacity.
That the French army authorities
realized the value of athletics as ex-
emplifed by the American soldier and
sailor is shown by the appointment OF
A. Foyer du Soldat ranks. These
American coaches are faced by most
unusual and complicated task, but have
tackled the work with the vim SO char
acteristic in sport in this country, and
x
progress.
Must Be Pioneers
They found themselves confronted
from the start by conditions that have
no parallel in the United States. At
home the coach practically never has
to teach the fundamentals of any game
his pupils acquire those in child
hood. But in France, athletics must be
built from the ground up" Instead
of organizing and continuing sports
that are already we'll known, the Foy-
err du So.dat mon must be literally
pioneers.
AS the first problem IS to teach new
games, the work is necessarily elemen-
tary Instead of taking material that
is we'll grounded in the things desired
and putting fine edge on the indi-
vidual skill and teamwork, the Ameri-
can working with the French must
treat his task entirely from the stand
point of amusement and distraction.
The Frenchman is by nature and
temperament a sportsman, and is able
to learn American games very quickly.
Unfortunately for the rapid growth Of
sports that require throwing and catch
ing, There have been no games gen
orally played in France that develop
muscular coordination of the hands,
arms and shoulders. For this reason
baseball, basketball and volley ball will
prove especially valuable in giving the
French a well-balanced deve. .opment.
Find Work of Benefit
Within the past few months the
French military authorities have found
this work Of so much benefit where
conducted upOn an informal and yolunr
tsry basis that they have officially op-
pointed Foyer men in charge of ath-
letics in several training camps and
schools. in view of the fact that de-
mobilization is expected to extend over
considerable period these appointees
and others are likely to retain their
blllets for long time.
Lawrence O'Connor is athletic di-
rector for the aviation school at Pau,
where the commandant has ordered all
men on duty there to devote three
quarters of an hour each dav to sports.
Mr.. O'Connor comes from New York
City. At Camp de Ger, r. L. Wiggin
has assumed charge of the athletic pro-
gramme. He comes from Limerick,
Me-, is a Bowdoin College graduate,
and was uperintendent Of schools be-
fore taking up Y. Nj. C. A. work in
France.
Raymond L. Carnes, of Omaha, is di-
recting sports at Agen. another train
ing centre in the southern part of
France. He is a Dartmouth man and
was supervisor of phys ical education in
Omaha. The experience gained in his
work at home has enabled him to
achieve signal success among the
French students placed under his
charge.