Evening star., 1932-12-01
By BARON WILHELM Won cAYL,

German Minister Of t.e Il.erio-
BERLIN, December | tNAN.AD.-
4 When President Won H.adenbarg or
oered the creation of national ath-
le' board. it was surprising to see this
q on behalf Of the German Govern
1 at give rise to hostile criticism in the
ui-German press-criticism which cast
suspicions on the pacific intentions OF
~snany.
Unprejudiced investigation, however,
has failed to produce the slightest trace
bf evidence in support Of these insinua-
lions.
Bv coordination of the various gym
haste and sporting associations whose
membership is chiefly recruited from the
dolescent population, the government,
Iithout interfering in an way with the
by-laws of these clubs, hopes to attain
Two objects-elimination Of the domi-
hance of party politics in many OF them
IND the physical and moral strengthen
ng Of their members
Would Prevent Radicalism.
Seeing that these times confront our
buthful population with more social
nd economic difficulties than any pre-
eding epoch, the second of these OBJ
ects is of particular importance. Fur
her rehabilitation of youth will be pre-
Gented, political antagonisms will lose
heir excessive hold on the young, and
the unhealthful influences of certain
Espects of modern town life and of a
prolonged term of unemployment will
be counterbalanced by the health-giv-
ng effects OF outdoor occupation.
One striking feature Of postwar de-
1elcpment' has been the spread of a
desire for sporting records a tendency
which probably owes its origin to imi-
Patton OF American standards. Expert
ence, however, has shown that the
Essential interests of the movement to-
ard national progress in sports are not
Pally served by craving for records
ut rather by activities aiming at a
Righ average level of achievements.
Prefer General Training.
Much more regard Is now paid those
forms of exercise which aim at the gen.
eral training OF the acolescent popula-
tion, such as hiking, camping, eye and
ear training. use of maps and COM
passes, training of the feeling for local
tty and craftsmanship, but to the ex-
clusion Of military training Of every
kind.
TIE government felt that the physical
well being of the young was essential to
healthy national progress. that every
possible cause that may perhaps lead to
the prevalence of a want of control and
restraint must be eraeicated, ana that
The unemployed among the youthful
population must be saved from the de-
SPAR produced by inability to find work.
All these considerations prompted the
government to set up the National Ath-
ktic Board. To insure that the objects
IN view are achieved and that various
kin-s Of open-air exercise are properly
co-ordinated, an experienced ex-oficer.
Gen. Won Stulpnagel, was appointed
President of the board. 1t was thought
advisable to select a man with whom
opsn-air life hes become second nature
and who knows how to make his author
ity respected. Another consideration
that led to his appointment was that he
has no party ties, important in view of
the fact that political parties of all
shades OF opinion are represented on
the board.
Cites British Boy Scouts.
Part of the anti-German press has
found fault with the selection of a gen.
eral Tor this post, and 1t has even been
1hSinuated that his appointment consti-
tutes a menace to the peace of Europe.
To disproye such insinuations, it must
suffice to draw attention to the founda-
tion OF the Boy Scout organization in
Great Britain by Gen Baden-Powell.
Seeing that the board plans to
achieve its aims without giving prefer
ence to any political party, representa-
ttves delegated by numerous associa-
tons. such as the Reichsbanner, the
6tahlhelnn, the S. A., the National Com