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THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
It is frequently said that all the world loves a lover," but it may be just as truth- fully said that all the world loves a sport. The sportsman is the same all the world ΟΤΟΥ. He is ready to give and take hard knocks; where there is a fight he wants to see the combatants evenly matched, and in every form of exercise and skill in which men pit themselves against one another be desires to obtain a fair field and no favour.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[September 8, 1908:
JAPANESE FINANCE.
1
(Daily Press, 2nd September.)
The official announce ment telegraphed by Cabinet has decided on heavy retrenchments our Tokyo correspondent that the Japanese
in their financial programme will, wo imagine, go far to restore public confidence in the administration. At Home as well su abroad confidence has been perceptibly weakening, but it is probable that the retrenchment scheme will not be considered wholly satisfactory in Japanese business circles. About the time of the resignation of the late Cabinet we drew attention to a remarkable statement of views published by the United Chambers of Commerce in
Japan with regard to the Government's
financial administration. One of the that document prominent features of WAS its condemnation of excessive ΟΧ
judge has to ascertain who has the balance | a reputation for 'cuteness and not unnatural- of right. In the recent misunderstandingly when an American is in the field bin (Daily Press, September 1st.)
we may equally well infer that there were rivals watch him with some anxiety wonder- If the Olympic Games just concluded were faults on both sides. For example the ing what he will be "up to."
We would marred by the dissension which occurred at Americans, in support of their contention, not describe it as mistrust, but the man the final stages, they, nevertheless, demon-point to the Marathon Race and its sen- from the West having shown such wonder strated the international basis on which national termination. DORANDO, the Italian, ful resource, others who are competing feel sport now stands. No longer is any oue collapsed at the finishing post and was that they have to exercise more alertuces nation isolated. No longer does any assisted over the line by the officials. Such than if they were competing against men particular people confine themselves to the intervention would appear to be against the from other countries. In other words the exercises and pastimes peculiar to their own rules, but it seems to us that the mistake Americans suffer from the defects of their land. No, they have borrowed from one was not made by the officials who performed qualities If they realised this it might another. Fotball and golf were given by this well-meant act, but by the judge who help them to understand the attitude of the Scotland to the world; cricket has been declared him to be the winner. When a British at times, but at any rate there is taken from England; tennis (originating in man fainted on the course it was the obvious little good to be done by indulging in France) is now played in many countries; duty of those near at hand to render what recriminations. We hope that the future will jiu-jitsu is to-day practised in other assistance they could and what more natural give the sportsmen of both countries countries than Japan; Chinese boys are not than that they should conduct him forward opportunities for discovering the best in the only ones to fly kites, and we have just so as not to impede the other competitors ? each other and that on the track or in the to reflect a little to remember how many of To award him the race was, of course, a ring they will experience that "stern joy our childhood's games may be traced to grave error of judgment on the part of which warriors feel in foemen worthy of Eastern sources. Naturally this apprecia. those responsible and the American protest their steel. " tion of the sports and games of other peoples was certainly justified. But the same can- was bound to have an excellent effect. It not be said of their attitude in the four helped to emphasise how much the different hundred metre race. In that event the only races had in common, aud when sportsmen English competitor complained of having ventured from one country into another to been "bored" by an American rival, and as win renown in the particular field of the judges who went into all the details of sport which they had made their own, the race were agreed that Carpenter fouled the movement towards international amity Halswell, and ordered the race to be run received a tremendous impetus.
over again, the Americans ought to have accepted that decision. The report of the judges on the matter is sufficiently convinc- ing. To us the explanation of the American attitude seems to be due to the fact that the representatives of the United States did not understand the conditions under which they were competing. In proof it is only necessary to refer to the statement attri- buted to the American Commissioner to the Games. Alluding to this race, he For years Britons have enjoyed a pre- is reported to have said, "the public eminent reputation not only for love of had been inflamed against the Americans, sport but for "playing the game." Now, and the judges, taking a signal from however, their good name is being called in some man on the field, broke the tape and question and by none more vigorously than called the race off before they knew what their American cousins who came over to had happened." Exactly. The judges took uphold their country's reputation on the a signal from one of the many officials cinder track and on the grass in the Stadium posted along the course to watch for in London. Having regard to the value irregularities. Immediately anything of of sport in promoting international friend- that nature was detected by an official it ship the incident alluded to can only be was his duty to announce it, and in the regarded with the greatest regret inasmuch interests of the competitors themselves, to as it retards the progress towards a better prevent them from needlessly exerting understanding between the nations and themselves when the issue would not be creates an ill-feeling which it will take years decided in that struggle, the race was to eradicate. The unhappy contingency stopped. Accepting the details as given in would have been trifling at an ordinary the American press it seems quite clear that sports meeting, but it has been magnified the protestants had no ground for complaint in importance because it has occasioned a as to unfair treatment, at least so far as the dispute between British and Americans, management of the race and unfortunately newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic have fanned the flames of jealousy so strongly that a feeling of pre- judice has been engendered in both countries. The Olympic Games attracted sportsmen and sportswomen from all parts of the world. This grand gathering of the world's greatest athletes since the revival of the historic feature of ancient Greece has been produc- tive of better results than the attainments whic! marked the previous games held at Athen in 1896, Paris in 1900, St. Louis in 1904 and Athens in 1906. Men attended from all parts of the earth, but no com- plaints as to unfairness were made by others than Americans, Of course, it may be that only Americans had cause for complaint. However, we have the facts that complaints were made by the Americans and allegations were made as to the methods of Americans. The recriminations became mutual. Now, it is always safe to assume that in most quarrels neither party is absolutely without blame. One may be more blameworthy than the other, and when a decision has to be arrived at, the
W88 concerned. The fact that the officials who considered the protest went over the course and traced the foot-teps, thereby obtaining evidence which could not be controverted, shows that they acted bona fide. Of course, if the American competitors thought they were not being properly treated, their protest was quite proper, but in this case the facts do not justify it. That, however is only one incident, There may have been others which induced the Americans to feel as they did but, whatever the actual circunstances may have been, there can be no doubt that a breach has been opened in international athletics which will take some time to heal. All who have the interests of sport at heart, as well as those who desire a good understanding between men of all nations. Will regret the occurrence. We realise there may be some reason to suspect that the local associations wlio had the management of the programme assigned them by the Olympic Association were prejudiced in favour of the men they knew, but we think the Americans have only themsives to blame for being watched so closely and so narrowly. Uncle Sam has
Pansion of armaments, and it will be noted and, no doubt, freely commented upon in Japau, that the announced retrenchments
are for "
public works", and will not affect the programme laid down for military and naval expansion. But those who have been carefully watching the latest Russian pro- jects for the Far East and the feverish haste with which they are being advanced, will see in it all some reason for the Japanese Cabi- net's refusal to consent to any curtailment or
postponement in this direction. Apparently the Cabinet bas bad the matter under consideration and distinct avowals were appearing in the vernacular press a short
time ago
that certain military under- takings would be postponed. But during the last six months or so much has happened in Russia to foster a belief in the "Coming Struggle," which is so often described as inevitable; and it is not improbable that Russia's Amur project and subsidiary plans to which so much publicity has been given have weighed against any curtailment of Japan's plaus for strengthening her navaland military defences. It is a well-worn maxim that the best guarantee of peace is to be fully prepared for war, but the trouble is that no nation ever reaches that state, and the burden of armaments increases in all advanced countries year by year, notwith- standing ententes and the general confession Japan feels the of peaceful intentions. strain upon her resources, but her states. men are evidently of opinion that they cannot afford to relax their efforts to maintain and improve the country's and naval position
B military pover. The military expansion schamas therefore are left untouched, and savingę to the amount of two hundred million yen are to be effected by postponing harbour
HB
I
F.
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