The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-11
SPAIN GIVES UP
BULL FIGHTS
FOR GAMES
Football, Soccer, Tennis, and
Polo Gradually Replace
National Sport"
By international News Service.

BY international News Service.
NEW YORK, Dec. 11.-Bull fight
ing, for centuries the national sport
OF Spain, is gradually losing its ap-
peal and is being superseded IN
popularity by such modern sports
as football, soccer, tennis, hockey,
polo and boxing, according to an
article by Don Manuel Sagnier. in
the newspaper La Prensa, of Madrid.
Sagnier, member OF an aristo-
cratic family Of Barcelona, is noted
sportsman and a member OF the
leading athletic clubs OF Spain. He
10 vice president of the Hockey
Federation, director of the Royal
Polo Jockey Club of Barcelona and
delegate Of the Confederated Sport
ing Societies Of Spain.
Like U. S. Baseball.
Bull fighting In the vast aInphi-
theaters. with its gayly colored
crowds, its picturesque toreadoes,
has heretofore been to Spain what
England and golf to Scotland. But,
according to Senior Sagnier, the mod
ern movement Of progressivism has
brought present day sports to the
fore. relegating bull fighting into
the discard.
Sports in Spain are developing
rapidly" Senior Sagnier says, "and
every day they become more natural
and vigorous, gaining popularity all
over the country. Football and Soc
Ger are the favorites. The fondness
Tor these two games exists every
where on the peninsula. and our
teams already enjoy in Europe-as
demonstrated in the Olymptcs of
Amberes and other international
matches-the reputation Of being OK
Copttonally fine players.
Bull Fight Taboo.
The great majority of sport
lovers do not talk of going to the
bull fight any more; the crowd is
to be found storming the gates at
the football park. Thousands of
football clubs have been organized
all over the country; in Catalonia
alone there are about a hundred
constantly engaged in meeting OPP
posing teams from other parts.
The Barcelona Football Club, In
the largest city Of the country.
boasts membership Of 10000 and
q magnificent stadium, with a ca
pacity Tor more than 10000 spec
tators.
Football has conquered the old
affection for the arena. There is
also national interest in tennis.
Spain having produced the famous
players Manuel Alonzo and his
brother, Jose; Count de Gomar
KIaQuer. Sindreu, Rivera, Juanico
and many others.
Hockey Popular.
na1m ar, 4wr%w Al
lar. This game Is still very new
in Spain. Nevertheless. in BARGE |
Iona four hockey clubs have sprung |
up-three In Madrid, two in the |
north and others throughout Spain. |
The international Franeo-Spanish |
match was played on the grounds |
Of the Royal Polo Jockey Club, the |
Spanish players being victorious, !
with q score of 30.
We were very proud Of our VIC |
tory. because tho players who /
formed our team had never played /
together before the match. and the
game was comparatively new in I.
our country. The Royal Polo |
Jockey Club has attracted players |
from Germany. England and
France. and pretty soon Spain will
be able 70 boast q very formidable
host or players.
Boxing is also developing rapidly !
Sagnier stated.
He cited the match between the
Spanish boxer, Ricardo Alix, and
the French champion of his weight, |
in which Alix was victorious The
bout took place before 1900 peo-
pie. who filled the seats at Las
Arenas de Barcelona on the night
of the fight.