The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-18
SPANISH PEOPLE
CLING TO BULL FIGHTS
People of Spain Show Little Interest In
Olympic Games to Be Held at
Antwerp.

of sport will represent nearly every
country on the globe during the Olym'
pic games at Antwerp, Belgium, this
year. recent survey of the field on
sports in Spain does not give promise
of an extended entering OF Spanish
representatives in many of the events
on the varied program.
All efforts TO wean the Spaniard
from his national pastime of bulltight.
ing and pelota have met with scant
favor so far He may say that bull
fighting is conducted mainly for for
eigners on Spanish soil but just the
same ii all the foreigners in that coun-
try were gathered together they would
form only very small proportion OF
the crowds which flock to Plaza de Toro
in Madrid and other bull rings through
out the country on Sundays.
BY getting together quite a large
stable of thoroughbreds, King Alfonso
has endeavored TO interest his people in
horse racing, and with the support OF
some of his weather. subjects has sue
ceeded in organizing race meetings at
| Madrid. Barcelona, Santandar and san
Sebastian from spring until autumn.
Rich prizes both in money and plate in
addition to the kings patronage as a
regular attendant fail to attract many
| patrons. From Eastertide until No
vember each year, however, the build
ings are generously patronized in
marked contrast to the attendance at
the counter attractions, on the race
courses every Sunday during the sea
son.
Golf is played in the vicinity of the
| Spanish cities by foreigners and Span
iards who have lived abroad. Casual
| interest only has been aroused in the
, Scotch game, however, so far a. the
public is concerned Last January this
dinidenee was illustrated forcisly when
| the final match round for the king :
cup was played on the Madrid links
| last January and a leading newspaper
announced that fact the following
morning but failed to mention either
| the name or the score of the winner.
Attempts to introduce tennis and
football have not produced a national
| following as yet and as for boxing
some of the newspapers have criticized
II severely as brutal pastime. Polo
| is PLAYED to some extent but this Is
due to the proximity of the British
garrison at Gibraltar and the encour
agement given to IL by King Alfonso
and several noblemen but it is not a
game for the general public,
Association foot ball was introduced
to Spain about 20 years ago and it is
now popular amongst the younger gen
Grafton. This inyigorating pastime
seems to be gaining favor every year
and some look upon it as a possible ri.
val to bull fighting in the future. II
Olympic entries are made il will be in
the soccer and tennis competitions.
Philadelphia is desrious of holding
the national rowing regatta next July.
| A special committee has been APP
pointed by the naval board Of the
Schuylkill navy to present the matter
to the national association of amateur
oarsmen when that organization meets
in New York in March. Philadelphia
oarsmen desire the regatta in view Of
the favorable conditions existing local
ly and the excellent course available.
Elaborate plans are being prepared
by the English Nottingham polo com
mittee, under the Craftsmanship Of Earl
! Haig, for the defense of the American
polo cup which was won at Meadow
brook, \ Y, in 1914.
II has been decided to create a body
which will be entrusted with the duty
of organizing resources SO that the polo
team to represent England in the next
contest may comprise the best players
and be thoroughly well trained One
committee will select players and ar
range test matches, look after t>aining
and draw up list of ponies. The 9TH
er committee will have under L care
the provision Of grounds, stands, stab
ling. accommodation for players and
schemes to provide funds to meet nee
essary expenses.
The University Of Toronto will en-.
ter rowing crews in national and in
ternational aquatic contests this year
for the first time since ls9s. The Uni
versitv Of Toronto Rowing club was
formed at a recent meeting Of gradu-
ates and under graduates.
Early Indications point 10 the great
ct entry list for the 1920 University
OF Pennsylvania relay carnival ever
received in the history Of these track
games. Although the meet will not Be
held until April 30 and May l. east
ern and western colleges are forward
, ing their entries in larger yolums than
ever before Western entries 10 date
include Michigan. Michigan Agricultur-
Al college. Minnesota Nehrs~ka, Kan
a.. Northwestern, Coe and the nj
versitv 81 Southern California. TIE
eastern colleges include Vale. Prince
ton. Columbia Penn state. Syracuse,
I Pittsburgh and more than p other in
Z stiiutions.