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RACE MEETING ACTUALLY UNDER FIRE. Horse Racing As a Diversion for British Troops in France and Flanders. Under the caption "Horse Races and Athletics Under Fire," the British Intelligcn. o Service in London has approved the following atalj : "The British armies at the front." the story reads, "give themselves up to sport within the sound, and even within reach, of the enemy guns with all the zest of the English sportsman pursuing his hobby in peace-time. "Practically every form of outdoor sport is assiduously followed by the British troops in France and Flanders. "A race meeting actually under fire has a distinctly novel sound. Still, it is ■ common enough experience of the present campaign, and many such have been successfully held during the last few months. Then is nothing elaborate about the preparations. A fine afternoon and a couple of hours comparative freedom from the attentions of the Bodies suffice for the purpose. The grandstand is a stack of biscuit boxes or the top of a motor lorry, and rings and enclosures do not exist. Nor are there facilities for making a book or backing ones fancy. It is all sport for sports sake, without the adventitious stimulant of gambling. "The cavalry and remount camps, of winch a great many have been established in different parts of France." are usually pitched in the grounds of a- farm or a country house. Most of them nre charmingly situated amid apple orchards and meadows, with comfortable quarters for the men and horses. After a spell in the dreary trenches. or the leaky bams and stables of the average billet, life in such surroundings offers welcome amenities. Before the troops have settled down in their quarters for any length of time they are certain to get up a horse show. These are thoroughly enjoyable functions, and the different events in the program always evoke keen competition. "The peasants and villagers from the district are immensely interested in the proceedings and shout F.ep-peep ooray witli all the strength of their lungs. Judging from their private comments, it is a never-ceasing wonder to them that the soldiers should have the energy to run races and otherwise exorcise themselves when not actually compelled to do so. But there are a great many things about the British soldier in France that — despite his long sojourn among them — the French villagers do not understand. Quils sont droles, ces Anglais" they declare admiringly."
