The Olympic Games and the Duke of Westminster's Appeal

THE OLYM-P[C GA'ME-S. letter from·.Mr. Hugh D. Mcintosh, which appeared µi The Times of August 29, 1913, is of interest':- AN IM'PERIM, ATHLETIC TEAM. TO THE EDITOR O'F THE Til\ms. Sir,-We Austra.lia.ns a.re in hearty agreement with •a.11 that the Duke of-Westminster ha.s said a.bout the Olympic 9'ames. .But if you will permit me to sa.y so, I . think it is a thousand pities that the search for· talent a.nd the raising of the means to that end should be confined to Great Brite.in a.lone. The people of the Overseas-at a.ny ra.te those in Aus– tralia--would like to help sustain the athletic P.rowess·a.nd, if·possible, the supremacy of the British ra.ce. in our Commonwealth, sparsely settled though it is, genie.I climatic conditions and the social surroundings of a young British nation in a rich, undeveloped country have enabled us to accom– plish somewhat surprising feats in ma.ny branches of &Ill.'ateur sport. Healthy ri:vo.lry with the Mother Country ha.sled to the discovery of athletes·of world– wide renown.. Some of the championships we a.lreo.dy hold ; others we ha.ve every cliance of winning. I would suggest thatr it' is a.•mistake to dissipate our stren·gth e,;s, a., people by exoluding the Dominions from the q.v.alifying. Olympic test. The spirit of our times is one of unity and federalism within the Empire. :rh tlie dome.in of amateur sport there is surely idea.I opportunity for that cohesion and common action which' should command, success: Under, present conditions·we may nullify our,.efforts by an unneces– sa.iw though· friendly antagonism.. How much ootfur would'it lie to think and act Imperially? So ce:rtain am I of the generous· response of· our Dominion to such a ea.II that• I am .Prepared>to guli!ll{B'tee tliatr £5,000 will be raised' m. Australia towa-rd,the finding,a.nd, training: of likely, champio118-. This wouldl considerably reduce• the b_urden. upon, lovers of athletics in <1reat Britain, while materially extending t he area·of the Hunting·grdund 1 for t'alent. I am a.ware that the present Olympic programme contemplates Great Britain playing ·a lone lia.nd, but the reconsideration of this 'decision and' the brosdlin< ing of the scheme· would, I am convinced, be w&rtnJy· welcomed overseas and have a.n appreciable influence in deepening the growing sense of · Imperialism amongst our fa-r-flung· people. I am, &c., HUGH. D. McINTOSH. . Hotel Cecil, W.C., Aug. 28. On the other hand; there have oeen: pro– nouncedly unfavourable opinions expressed• in some Colonial newspapers. In: Great· Britain. sentiment appears to be divided: Mr: I:.ehm&nn, in the interview already quotedl expressed'hiniself' as opposed to it. Many others think ttiat; as a matter. of, pride, the United Kingdom sliouia: continue" on her.own." Perhaps the strongest argument in favour of union is a political one. The 0lympic Games. offer an admirable oppertunity for ex<hibiting, the solidarity of, the Empire to the world: Many, people are of the opinion thatitis·unfortunate'tli.e;t· other·nations·shouldisee·the,different.part,s1offl1lbe Empire competing. among?themselves·in1antiint,cr• national event. Publio opinioni .however, , is1 veeyt. far· from, beinff orystaJJ.J.ized on the· sttbj"Eict;; md there rem._'i:in~\ he physical difficulty ef: winning the consent of the International 0lympio Council. Printed by J, P. BLAND, 162, Queen Victol'ia Street, .E.C.