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PATRIOTISM IN AUGUST BELMONTS LETTER. He and Other Leaders Have Been Working Toward Improvement of Breed of Horses. There is a fine flavor of patriotism in the recent letter of August Belmont to Major General Wood in which the chairman of the Jockey Club points out the absolute necessity of racing as a means of maintaining suitable mounts for the cavalry service. The situation is not a new one so far as Mr. l.el- and other leaders of the sport of kings is «t eraod, as for years the ruling turf organization been working along lines tending to the improvement of the breed of horses, rather than the temporary excitement and relaxation provided by the race course. Now that the crisis is here, it is but natural that the man, who all along has seen the necessity for intelligent and consistent efforts in horse breeding, should point out the way for the military authorities who lack the intiniate knowledge of the matter possessed by the racing chief, says the New York Times. Kvery person with the slightest knowledge of the characteristics of horses knows that the thoroughbred excels in the qualities needed for combative purposes. The true racer never gives up the struggle while there is an ounce of energy left in his quivering frame, and it is this stoutheartedness that has endeared the champions of the turf to sportsmen and the general public. In establishing its breeding bureau, the Jockey Club long ago showed the way for preparedness and the same organization is ready and willing to carry en the sp,.rt of racing so that benefit may accure to breeding for remount purposes, even in the face of difficulties that may result in financial loss. Mr. Belmont drives home the truth in his statement: "We, as a people, have no more right to put our young men on an inferior horse than we have to send them forth with an inferior rifle." lie also makes it plain that really good horses can be obtained only through the large breeding establishments and that in order to keep up these it is absolutely necessary to foster and encourage racing. Too Early to Foresee Wars Effect. It is too early yet to foresee what "fleet the war will have on tiie sport and the attendance at the tracks. There was promise of the best season in many years when the blow came that threatened to put an end to many branches of sport. Stake entries are larger and the number of fori ign horses brought to these shores warranted the belief that the quality of competition v.ould he higher than at any time lace 1910. Tle-re is no reason to believe that the program of all tin- associations will not be carried ■ •ut as planned and the interest :;lr ady shown in the racing on the Maryland « ■iivuit indicates that only a serious upheaval in dome-tic affairs will militate against the success of the meetings at ].• Iinont Park and ether tracks. The necessity for the laetag test because of its close association with the breeding industry, especially in its relation to army remounts, is. even during the great war. rec gabied l he of national importance in England. France. Russia. Italy. Australia. India and by the Other belligerents. Racing b.is. therefore, been continued throughout the length of the strife. Despite the vast resources of these countries from the standpoint of the horse, they have called upon the United States for remounts, with the result that ::t tlie present time our possessions in his regard are seriously diminished. Military racing, which was inaugurated in this country by the Halted Hunts Racing Association when it was founded in 1MB, has ever been the policy of that organization. This organization, of which Hon. Perry I.elmoitt is president, and is especially interested in its military feature, has persistently stuck to its original purposes and has survived many difficulties. it was. therefore, to have been expected, despite the burning down of their stand, that they would hold their meetings on May 12 and 19 at I.elmont Park Terminal. The general staff of the army has. since 1MB, approved of the efforts of the Catted Hunts Kacing Association. In this connection it should be remembered, that the initial endurance test for the army mounts was inaug ura tad by the Halted Hunts at i.enning. The permanent unselfishness of this amateur organization in furthering the sport for the pure love of it. haa been of vital importance to racing interests. It has. at the same time, advanced the great f national industry of horse breeding, now recognized as :, military necessity.
