BRITAIN'S PRESTIGE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PRESTIGE.

« IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES,

THE APPEAL FOR FUNDS. GREAT PUBLIC CONTROVERSY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright "Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. (Roe. August 27, 10.50 p.m.) London, August 27. Mr. Nowell C. Smith, headmaster of Sherborne School, writing in reference to the Olympic appeal, says that "these modern pseudo-Olympic games are rot. The newspaper advertisements of them, and the £100,000 fund for buying victories'are positively degrading." The "Times," commenting upon this, justifies the fund as affording'tile only reasonable prospect of recovering Britain's lost athletic prestige, and adds: "The British representatives will bo strictly amateur, and their incidental expenses will bo defrayed by fellowplayers throughout the country. Moreover, we are alreay committed to representation, and not to go to Berlin would bo an insult to our German friends and prospective hosts." Tho "Standard" predicts tliat the fund will bo a failure unless some wealthy sportsmen generously give their support, or unless tlio Government gives a subsidy;

The Duke of Westminster declares that victory depends upon efficient organisation and training, and both will cost money.

London, August 26. Mr. Frcdcric Harrison, tlio Positivist, ill a letter to the press, states that the idea of raisin" money for the encouragement of athletes to compete in tho Olympic Games stinks of gate money and professional pot-hunting. Each candidate will cost £1000, and lie will have to, bo nursed and maintained in racing condition by the public. "Blackguardly yelling, graft, and sharp practice," declares Mr. Harrison, "will soon degrade our Oiympias to tho level of a mob at old-fashioned prize-fights. (Rcc. August 27, 6.40 p.m.) London, August 27. The Duke, of Westminster, in reply to Mr. Frederic Harrison's letter in tho press, declares that England's losses at sports are a national disaster. America has won at polo, racquets, yachting, tennis, trotting, 220 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards, 120 vards hurdles, high pole jump, putting the weight, and throwing the hammer. Australia, swimming and billiards. Canada, lacrosse and shooting. Sweden, skating. France, fencing and cycling. France and America, boxing. New Zealand, tennis singles.