The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-08
sPoRTsMEN IN WAR.
England's Great Generals Fond of Ath-
letics and Hunting 80

England Great Generals FOND OF Atn-
letics and Hunting. 80
What part sport has played in the de.
veiopment of the British leaders in thel
war is a subject of an article in an Eng
lish sporting periodical, and it makes in
teresting reading, though it has the ten
dency to prove rather too much The
English speaking people are undoubtedly
the greatest sporting races on the earth,
the greatest devotees of outdoor sports
and games What they have done in the
war need not be dwelt on, but it might
be going too far to explain their wonder
ful achievements on the ground that they
We're sportsmen. Otherwise. how should
we explain the grandeur of the poilus, the
genius of their leaders. The French are
not sporting nation, and what develop
ment they have made in the cultivation
Of athletic sports is matter of only a
few years. Similarly the Italians are not
great devotees of athletic games; yet their
feats Of endurance and enterprise have
not been surpassed. The national sport
Gus sort of athletic training
However, sensible people will not de-
ride the benefits that have accrued to our
istSE SiCdl uOnDuL
With experience win deny that there is
no sort of exercise that does so much
good as that which is unconsciously ac
quired through the playing OF games. Sir
Douglas Haig. the greatest of British sol
diers. was q deyotee of sport. lie was
not only q highly gifted exponent in more
| branches than one, but a profound believ-
er in its use for military purposes. On
one occasion he said that he attributed
great Importance TO young officers being
encouraged to hunt and play polo, and
would urge that they be helped to do so
III every way possible. : These plir-
suits have very real value as training
| for war, and II Is particularly desirable
that officers with private means should be
encouraged TO spend their money in this
way rather than in buying expensive mo-
tor cars and similar luxuries which have
a precisely opposite tendency" For many
years Sir Douglas Haig was one of the
best polo players in England, and built
lpp 4 team that won the championship OF
India, where the game was developed.
He was also in his schooldays a fine erick-
letter. There is probably on better horse
Imam IN the British army today than It's
lcommander in chief.
| General Alienby Is also a fine polo play,
er and horsernan He has always been a
keen supporter of outdoor sports, used
20 be 4 steeplechase rider OF note, and in
the nineties owned a small but select sta
hle Of cross-country performers Genera
II the Earl of Cavan,, commander OF tn,
British army in Italy, is a noted sports
man. He was master of the Hertford
! shire foxhounds when war broke out, an,
is fisherman, a shot, and golfer 0
; aarts. When member Of the Grenadie
Guards he rode in point to-point race
, seventeen times, and was placed clever
!. times. General Sir H. S.'Horne was ais,
\ brilliant performer in the saddle. II
, vas a hunting man, a polo player, and
. steeplechase rider. General Birdwoo,
, who won fame as the commander of tn
army at Gallipoli, played on his reg
E | mental polo team, and never missed
2 meet OF hounds when he could help II
/ He was also big-game shot, ard
i known as an all-around sportsman.
General Sir II. S. Rawlinson was 70
) years an active member OF the Hous,
{ hold Brigade Racing club, and played %
b o for his regiment He was a skille
a racquet player, and as crieketer wa
| irst class, having made centuries on Sc,
Q raj occasions. Lieut. Gen Sir w. |
e pulteney is typical allIround arm
q sportsman. He was ericketer, too, br
!. 9hone particularly in soccer. For sever;
q years he was the secretary and treasure
f If the Army Football association, an
d under him the game showed q remarkab
l. growth. He has also had considerab
5 | experience as a hig-game hunter in Africt
Is and is an ardent fisherman. The la,
| General Sir F. n Maude was a first-cal
If athlete at Elton, and later at sSandhnrs
5 he played cricket and soccer and was
s noted half-mile and mile runner at &C
i. lege
e These are only few of the outstan
4 ny British army leaders who have bee
y strong believers in the value of Guido,
y sports for military training 1t is only
n expected, of course, that eavafryms
I'd should be keen on horses, riding and "a
ng and other games in which horses ii
re IRE. No doubt, in the navy we shou
Or md the officers deyotees of other sport
a. There the officers and men do not get Il
d. opportunity of much cricket, soccer, al
o. hunting, and sailorlnen are notorious
T. had horsemen. Boxing ard athletic co
te tests that do not require much spl
v "ould naturally attract them Moreovs
ne | life on the sea in. itself develops tho
sh Qualities that on shore are only, acquir
or ~ indulgence in some form of athleti,
81 Bnt whether ahoat or ashore, the Britt
rs officer is, fond of sport, and loses no
: oortunity to engage in it. This is a pa
ne of our national character, and one III
ne s never likely to decay Toronto NJ
u and Empire
or ---------
" When trouble climbs in at the windo
ny the man of the house hunts the attic