New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-02

Those pessimists who declared the
war would malm or Kill the best ath-
letes IN the country, that the new crop
would be weddings. that the war had
set a new standard of values. and con-
Sequontly the interest IN sports would
be confined TO \ small minority. have
been confounded by the events Of the
year which is drawing to a close.
brave effort was made during the
first, two years of the war to continue
certain sporting competitions. but one
fixture after another had to go by de-
fault and finally there was an almost
complete cessation of athletics in Eng
and. This pathetic struggle against
the inevitable undoubtedly influenced
he opinion OF those whose prognosti-
cati5ns were filled with gloom
With the return of the major part
of the army soon after last Christmas
the revival began, and as the year ad-
'Nanccd the speed increased. so that by
midsummer Che whole country had for
gotten the perpleXing questions grow
ING out OF the league Of nations contro-
Nersls and was concentrating its atten-
ton on the latest developments in the
sporting world.
Attendance figures at sporting events
have been above the average Per-
formances in competitions have been
generally good.
Take racing. Long before the run
ming Of the Victory Derby on the his
toric Epson Downs course there were
signs that King Thoroughbred had
mounted more stabilized throne than
those occupied by certain European
monarchs Not only on Saturday aft
ornoons, when the whole country take
holiday, but every other day the
fields and often the grandstands OF the
racecourses were as crowded as the
approach to the Brooklyn Bridge in
the carly evening.
Every one seemed betting mad; there
was a perfect frenzy for racing. Book
makers offered ridicuiously low odds
and still did q and-office business:
The transportation service was out
iageously bad. but the players offered
no complaints.
Large Fields in Classics
The famous races, such as the Derby.
Oaks Gold Cup and City and Suburban
stakes. drew large fields to The start
ine post and furnished keen competi-
ton. LORD Glanely. a newcomer TO the
turf. but the owner o, q first class
stable, carried away most OF the valu-
able prizes Of the year
Steve ponoenue had no difficulty in
retaining his position as premier Jockey
IN England. Though riding as a free
lance, ms services were greatly in de-
mand. tie had the mount on most OF
King Georges horses. an honor coveted
by all jockeys. but NOT one which is
calculated 20 boost the average of the
lucky rider.
Grand Parade's victory in the Derby
was the surprise OF the year and
marked the beginning of a long and
remarkable string of Successes for Lord
tlanely. Racing is an all year sport in
The British Isles. the stceplecnAse SEA
son following Immediately on the clos
ing OF flat racing.
Cricket did not escape unscathed
rom the war. Before the winter was
over the solons decided the playing
rules needed drastic revision in order
TO nave the sport in keeping with the
Nolshevlstlc times. The moguis fixed
the playing time 50 that q game could
be crowded INTO two days, the starting
Nonr beng advanced and The time Tor
pulling stumps being set Just before
the dinner hour. Nucn 4 rcvOluti oMa ry
change was bound to arouse storm
Of opposition. and after season OF
experimenting the old three-day game
VIII come back in 1920, much 10 The
Joy of spectator and player
The Harrow Elton. Oxford CAM bridge
and Gentlcmen-PlAyers matches, al!
played on the famous grounds At Lords
III London, drew bumper crowds and
demonstrated beyond doubt hat the
national sport OF Bi.itain has lost note
ing IN popularity.
Record Holder War Victim
An Aussie team. composed Of officers
and men from the army, toured the
country. meeting with considerable
success. DUt naturally their playing
was hardly up TO the standard Of tie
usual Australian visiting team. A. f.
). Collins, whose record of 62S runs
not out. stil stands as tire highest
Individual score in British cricket. was
one Of the many victims of the way
Both Rugby and soccer have come
back. All through the war scratch
teams played association football be-
hlnd the lines IN France and Belgium
on the sands OF tgypt along the muddy
banks of the Tlgrs. and, in tact, every
where COMPANY of British Tommies
Tines, the British went over No Mans
Land dribbling football as if they
Mere playing the most popular 0. all
British sports. the game which draws
The larges, crowds
Every British newspaper features
soccer as American. newspapers report
baseball games. tYIckef is called the
national game. but soccer is tho "peo-
pies game The revival o. ;ho league
champ !onships was hailed Wi h delight
oy hundreds Of thousands in England.
Scotland. ireland and Wales.
Rugby, which plays second fiddle to
association III the British Isles. had an
encouraging revival, largely because Of
me playing Of the New Zealand. Aus
tralian and South African teams, which
competed IN service championship.
\ French team also visited, but its
showing was rather disappointing.
hing George presented the cup to the
winner OF the championship. A, the
d moment the season is in full swing and
me proponents of Rugby are well sat
tshed with the interest and support the
game i receiving in the clubs. schools
and colleges.
Tcnnis Also Popular
Lawn tennis is another spori which
profted by the postwar conditions.
There was q real international flavor
about the tournament AT Wimbcdon
N which Gerald Patterson, the Young
Australian officer. won the chief hon
ors. Norman Brookcs. older. more
taciturn, more restrained in movement,
was there paired with Patterson to win
the doubles championship. France
WAS strongly represented. Gobert's
playing being highly admired well
as effective, even in his fast company.
America had WashburN Griffin,