New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Gen. Pershing
Approves W
A. E. F. Sports
Issues Order to Assist Prof.
ect; Declares Athletics Es-
sentiai TO Morale of Army

Universal athletic training for the
soldiers of the American expeditionarq
forces during the period of occupation
and demobilization has been prescribed
oy General Persning and a programme
worked out to the most minute detail
has been made subject for general
order just received in this country and
made public by the Y. NJ. c. A. War
Work Council, which is charged with
the responsibility for the arrangement
management and general conduct Of
athletic activities
Flans for official A. f. F. champion
ships in track and field events, base
ball, football, basketball, tennis. box
ing and wrestling reveal an even more
comprehensive programme than frag-
mentary cable dispatches have indi
Gated. Mention is also made of the pro-
posal that there shall be a set of mill
tary Olympic games as an important
part of the international triumphal
ceremonies following the conclusion of
peace.
Simultaneously with the receipt of
General Pershings order the Y. NJ.
c. A. was advised of the arrival in
France of DR.. George j. Fisher, head
of the "Y" physical education depart
ment. DR.. Fisher went overseas in
response to cable asking for his
assistance in setting up the programme
requested by General Pershing. He at
once called a conference of more than
one hundred of the best known "Y"
athletic leaders in France and Ger
many, and from this group one will
be attached to the staff of each divi-
sion and a separate unit and will be
designated in orders as divisional Cor
unit) athletic director.
AthIaticS NeceSsarv
General Pershing states in his order
that he considers universal participa-
tion in athletics as of prime impor-
tance in keeping up the morale of the
army. An officer of the General Staff
has been detailed to supervise the
operation of the entire programme.
Each army corps and division and such
units of the S. O. S. as shall be de-
termined will detail similar officers.
This system will go right down through
the regiments and companies, and the
atmosphere Of college athletics is to be
encouraged by the appointment of COM
pany sports managers from the ranks
of non commissioned officers and pri-
Yates.
Under the head of mass athletics
and competitions, the order states:
"All commanders will, as far as con-
sistent with military duties, encourage
in every way possible athletic sports
and competitions of all kinds, especial
ly those in which the greatest number
of participants are actively engaged.
"With view to securing the entry
of the entire enlisted personnel of
companies or similar units, division
athletic officers will arrange mass ath
letics and group competitive games in
which the number of men entering, as
we'll as the individual effort of each
man in the various events in which ne
enters, will be taken into consideration
in determining the company or unit
winning the even schedule.
programmes for games and instruc-
tions regarding their conduct will be
published from time to time by these
headquarters. They will embrace such
games as volley ball, indoor baseball,
tugs of war, 'cross-country runs, relay,
obstacle, rescue, equipment, shuttle,
potato, leap frog races" etc.
Programme Varied
These contests are preliminary to the
great A. +. f, championships. which will
be conducted on an elimination basis,
beginning with the company and pro
crossing through the battalion, Tegi-
in series of championship finals.
"The athletic officers of divisions and
smaller units" the order continues,
will keep careful records of the ath
letic performance of the units under
them, and these shall be considered
along with their military record and
general efficiency in determining upon
the selection of units to represent
each division that may be called upon
to participate in any international tri-
umphal ceremonies that may be held
Of
"The Y. NJ. C. A, with the approval
of the commander in chief has organ
lied a department of athletics and is
prepared to give every assistance in
the development of general athletics
and the arrangement and management
of competitions between military units.
1t has large number of specially
trained physical directors, with wide
experience in mass play and in other
athletic activities, now in its ranks in
France One Of these will be attached
to the staff of each division and sep
arate unit, and will be designated in
orders as divisional Cor unit. athletic
director, and, under the supervision Of
the division athletic officer, will be
charged with the responsibility for the
arrangement, management and general
conduct Of athletic activities through
the unit"
Officers, non commissioned officers
and privates will be detailed for duty
in connection with the operation of the
athletic programme. With a view to
making it possible for all to take part
in athletics, commanding officers are
authorized to excuse from all military
training in excess of four hours day
men who take part actively in the
sports approved by the athletic officers.
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