; In the earlier days of the war German publicists and professors positively foamed at the mouth when | British "sportsmanship" was mentioned. War knew nothing of such I a spirit, they said, and they raged Hike heathen when the British people {praised the sporting spirit of the captain of the Emden and Submarine j Commander von Weddigen. We have | had ample proof since that the Germans know nothing of the meaning of the word, and have nothing of the spirit, and that it is very true that I war, as they conduct it, is devoid of j its ennobling influence. But the I British people still possess it, not least the men of Australia and New Zealand, and il is a priceless possession. There was never a better illustration of the true spirit of sportsmanship than the tale as fold in Ward Price's account of the withdrawal from Anzac. It may seem a 'small thing, but how full of fine feeling is that action of our men in leaving notes addressed lo the Turk, praising him as a good soldier and a , clean fighter, and that final act of the sportsman's spirit—the leaving of a gramophone in a conspicuous posiMioii, set ready to play the "Turkish | Patrol." Such actions show better than any wordy analysis what sportsmanship consists of, that finer influence which, we know too well, 1 the Germans do not understand. While sportsmanship lives the age of chivalry has not passed, and we should be proud that our men have shown its influence so finely in their acknowledgment of its quality in the enemy.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19160104.2.31
Bibliographic details
Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 593, 4 January 1916, Page 6
Word Count
265Untitled Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 593, 4 January 1916, Page 6
Using This Item
See our copyright guide for information on how you may use this title.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.