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w MAJOR BELMONTS SIGNIFICANT WORDS Xew York. June 23. — Major August Belmont, in a re -ent comment on the suggestion of General Hald-tn an to slop racing in Kentucky, hits the nail on the lead in the following significant statement: "If the government asked us to discontinue racing for the period of the war. we should do so unhesitatingly. But the government lias not asked us to do anything of the sort. Xo ix-rson in the government service, who has given the subject of horse production in its relation to national defense ncrious consideration, looks on racing now as a mere sport. In well informed quarters, racing is regard -d as a military necessity, because it is U|kiii the continuance of well managed racing that thoroughbred production depends. We all know what anti racing legislation in Xew York state in 1908 and 1810 cost the thoroughbred breeding industry i„ the Inited States. We lost about 0,000,000 worth of our In-st stock to the enrichment of Europe. South America and Australasia. The cutting off of racing at this time would bring alsuit a catas trophe as great as that of 190K and 1910. South America, made rich by the war and keenly alive to the opportunity a lowering of thoroughbred values in the Inited States would offer, would send I. uycrs to this country by the scores ami our good -tallious and mares would go to the Argentine Re-l.tiblic. Chili and Brazil to get military horses for luture sale in Europe, where the destruction of horoefltttu in tin: great wax has been tremendous."
