Evening star., 1935-08-27
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

n YEW YORK, August 27.-Ths
nj international angles TO the
v current olympic controversy
are somewhat curious, II not
actually confusing, to the ordinary
byStander.
The political, racial and religious
disturbances in Germany have had
their reaction no doubt in most Euro
pean countries. Policies of the Berlin
government have echoed sharply N
various world capitals. Yet the United
States alone has actually threatened
to refuse sanctions for its Olympic
athletes, if German discrimination
against German Jewish athletes exists
in any form.
The attitude of the rest Of the ath-
letic world appears TO be that Ger
many's internal affairs are one thing,
the Olympics another. The general
theory is that, barring world wars,
the games 60 on. They operate under
the Olympic Code as prescribed by
the International Olympic OrgandZa-
ton, not under any local rules. Ger
many, in other words, furnishes the
site and not the influence under
which the games are held. Rome and
Toxic are rival bidders for the 1910
games, the award Of which will have
nothing to do with the international
politics or policies of Italy or Japan.
United States Reacts Quickly.
WHATS the answer, then, so far
w as the United States is con-
cerned? Why has there been so much
agitation in this country, involving
Catholics as well as Jewish opposition
to sending an American team 10
Berlin, if the rest of the world isn't
disturbed?
In the first place, this country is
susceptible to quick reaction in racial
or religious matters. Its organized
groups. everywhere, are keen to resent
discrimination or anything that smacks
of the raw deal. Based on accu-
mulated evidence, which has been
widely pubicized, many Americans
feel that German Jews, as well as
German Catholics, have not had a
fair chance to qualify for their
Olympic teams
These critics are not swaved by any
that the cases Of such dis
are few or far between.
They stand on the principle Of fair
play. They have been emphasizing
it, in resolutions, in Congress and in
athletic councils. They insist Ger
many has violated the Olympic Code.
The most recent instance cited Is
that of a German girl high-jumper,
of Jewish extraction. Although she
had an excellent record, one Of the
best in Germany, she was not allowed
to compete in the national champion
ships since she was not and could not
be a member of the German or NaZi
light athletic association" which
corresponds to this country's Amateur
Athletic Union.
Up to Olympic Committee.
THERE is also the case of Fraulein
Helene Mayer, generally rated the
worlds best woman fencer. She won
the 1882 Olympic title at Los Angeles.
She is OF part-JeWSn ancestry. On-
willing to return to Germany under
present conditions. she has been at
tending school in California. She has
no intention Of going back to her
native land to try for the Olympic
team again. There has been some
intimation she would be welcomed, but
that, say the anti-NaZis, is Just
1t all boils down. finally, to this
question: How far should this country's
athletic leaders go in shaping its
Olympic course or policy on the basis
of Germany's domestic affairs? If it
goes the whole way, the United States
will send no Olympic team to Berlin.
If it doesn't, our representation is
bound to be sharply curtailed. It's
up to the American Olympic Commit
tee ultimately to decide, and the best
guess now, from the sidelines, is that
the A. o. c. will decide TO send a
team.
(The last story in this series re-
views previous Olympic discord and
tells Of Germany's elaborate plans TO
play host to the athletes In 1850