Supp/rmm la Lanc and Watkh, August 22, 1914 
The Great War : — 
Notes and Criticisms - - -- - -i* 
Belgians, Dutch and Germans _ _ _ - 955 
Field-Marshal Sir John French - - - - 953 
The Nation's Bulwarks ------ 956 
With the Belgian Army ------ 954 
Miscellaneous :— 
Current Sport ------- 957 
Horse Sales -------- 958 
Irish Red Setter Trials ------ 957 
WAR AND SPORT 
IT is with but a thinly veiled apology that we 
present this week's issue of " The County 
Gentleman and Land & Water," in which it 
will be noticed that sport and all appertain- 
ing thereto has taken a subordinate place. In 
presenting the first of our war series we feel sure 
that we shall still command the patronage of our 
old and valued subscribers, and, in addition, draw 
on a larger field of readers owing to the nature of 
the special articles we shall publish. 
In departmg from our sporting traditions — 
traditions lasting over fifty years — it must not be 
imagined that we are in any way advocating a 
diminution of sport throughout the country. On 
the contrary, we believe that at the present time 
the very best thing that the manhood and youth 
of Britc'n can do is to occupy their spare time in 
indulging in all the healthy games and pastimes 
which in the past have made us the nation that we 
are to-day. It must not be forgotten that had we 
not been such a trained race of athletes it would not 
have been possible for us, at such short notice, to 
have been prepared to place in the field such a 
magnificent body of men as we have done and are 
doing — a Force requiring but little training in 
order to convert them into valuable soldiers. At 
this period of tension and nerve strain we cannot 
too strongly emphasise the advantage to be gained 
by those who, though not actively engaged at the 
front, are doing yeoman service for King and 
Country at home by taking as much active exercise 
ao is possible, thus keeping the brain free from fag 
and the body healthy and vigorous. Therefore 
let the hunting man be ready for the meet when 
possible, the cricketer to take the field, the golfer 
eager for a few hours on the links, the footballer 
(in due season) for his game and, last but not 
least, the sportsman to the moors and the stubbles, 
each with the knowledge that by so doing he is 
preparing himself in the best manner for the call- 
should it come — to shoulder a rifle in defence of 
King and Country. We realise, however, that, 
much as we advocate the adoption of sport, the 
country does not want to read of games and 
sporting events. There is so much anxiety and 
deep feelmg for those who are engaged in uphold- 
ing the honour of England in the great Armageddon 
which is convulsing Europe and disturbing the 
whole world, that the reading of such light 
literature seems almost irreverent. All eyes are 
and will be concentrated tor some months on the 
various fields of battle, whether by land or sea. 
In order to keep our readers up to date and 
well informed regarding the chances of the great 
struggle, we have pleasure in announcing that we 
have been fortunate in obtaining the services of two 
of the foremost writers in their respective spheres 
of military and naval warfare. Mr. Hilaire Belloc 
is writing a series of articles each week dealing 
with the great War. His works are so well known 
that it is almost unnecessary to introduce him to 
our readers, but attention must be called to his 
remarkable article in the "London Magazine" in 
May, 1912, in which he predicted, with most 
extraordinary accuracy in detail, the proceedings 
of the Germans at Li^ge as they have happened 
at the opening of the present War. Mr. Belloc 
was born in 1870, and alter leaving school gained 
his practical knowledge of martial matters whilst 
serving in the 8th Regiment of the French Artillery. 
He matriculated at Balliol, and took first class 
honours in History in 1895, and from igo6to 1910 
he represented South Salford in Parliament. 
Our Naval column will be supplied by that 
eminent writer of maritime matters, Mr. Fred. T. 
Jane, who in this particular line of work is the 
most able authority on the subject at the present 
day. He is the author of "The Imperial Russian 
Navy," "The Imperial Japanese Navy," "All the 
World's Aircraft," "The British Battle Fleet," 
and many other well-known naval works. 
In addition to the above we shall publish a 
weekly diary of the War and a valuable gazetteer 
and topographical guide to the War zone. The 
information contained will be thoroughly up to 
date, and copies of the paper will be delivered to 
our readers within a few hours from the time the 
copy leaves the authors' hands. 
We propose continuing these series of War 
articles until further notice. 
Terms of Subscription to 
"THE COUNTY GENTLEMAN 
AND 
LAND AND WATER'' 
(ESTABLISHED 1862). 
AT HOME— Twelve Months - - - £1 8 
CANADA— Twelve Months - - - £1 10 6 
ELSEWHERE ABROAD— Twelve Months - £1 17 
The above rates include all Special Numbers and post.ige. 
Vlll 
