New-York tribune., 1918-10-13
FIJI" LaysLow
Start of Soccer
Title Matches
New Dates Given for Games
Barred Generally by
Health Measures
By c. A. Lovett

~ - "a IOtCtk
What gave every promise OF being a
phenomenal soccer year, war conditions
considered, is getting off to lame
start. After overcoming such obsta-
cles to successful getaway as Sc
rious player shortage, the disbanding of
hundreds of teams and the suspension
OF scores Of leagues and competitions
and several state associations for the
duration of the war, the officials in
charge Of the destinies of the Ameri-
canized kicking game had cause for ella
tion when the National Challenge Cup
competition developed forty-eight en-
tries, or only six fewer than in the
previous season, when the wars effect
was rather remote from all sports.
The draw for the first and second
rounds of the national championships
was conducted in this city week ago,
and the conclusion dates for these
rounds set as October 20 and November
~, respectively. Hardly had prepara-
tlons for these elimination matches
been got under way, when the spread
OF Spanish influenza gave the nation
cause for alarm and for stern prevent
i've measures.
Within week after the national SOC
Ger title seekers were paired off orders
IN the interest of public health have
put the kibosh on public assemblages,
even to the point of soccer crowds, in
almost every section where the fall-to-
spring sport has considerable follow
ing. New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Illinois and Missouri. and nearly every
section of New England face the
awful calamity OF a couple of soccer
less weeks. There was no football in
those districts yesterday, there will be
none to-day, and the prospects for q
resumption of the sport in the cities
OF those states week hence are not
particularly luminous. How long New
York State will be excepted is small
food for speculation.
Postponements Authorized
The United States Football Associa-
tion's committee handling the national
championships already has been forced
TO grant some time extensions for first
round matches, and no doubt Secretary
Thomas w. Cahill's Office will be food
ed with new pleas for similar authori-
cations in The week just dawned. The
postponements are especially disan-
pointing to shipyards and munition
plants athletic association manage
ments, which had made elaborate prep
aratlons TOR the soccer opening.
The outcome of the delayed startino.
even If the situation is relieved at the
earliest date reasonably to be expected.
Will be to pile up second and third
round matches in the most unseason-
able winter periods, with a probable
repetition of tardy semi-finals and finaI
games next spring.
1t seems odd to the football authori-
TIES, who underpinned their organiza-
tlon SO that 1t could stand up under
successive s blows from Mars himself,
that their prodigy should be floored hv
one quick jab from the interloper from
| Spain. -'A'
-, one Of the first officers Of the United
States Football ciation-Willisu
u. Love, of Pawtucket, R. died a
1e" lew days ago of influenza a-pneumonia.
MEx-rresident M John A. Fernley. Of Cen
s; ifal aus, Il. l., was very low from the
alsease recently, but is on the road to
recovery. James Marshall, of Kearnv
~ D., New Jersey State Football Asso,
clatlon delegate to the national council
Iast spring, has lost his wife and her
SISTER: The entire family of Andrew N
beverldge, secretary of the New Jersey
State Football Association. is III w;tb
the grip, as also is a daughter Of Ma
.lonal Secretary Cahill, at his Newark
SIX members of the Babcock A. W.T.
cox eleven, of Bayonne. are III with IN
nuenza, necessitating cancellation of
tne teams agreement for an exhibition
game against the New York F. g ~
Lehox oval this afternoon. Secret.rv
hugh Magee had no little dificmlty
signing worthy substitute opuonent-