Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1913 — BASEBALL GAME IN CHINA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BASEBALL GAME IN CHINA

f- . introduction oT American Pastime at Much Benefit, Says Dr, Charles Eliot of Harvard. Baseball, the great American pastime, is of far more benefit to the Chinese than anything which has been introduced by social workers in that country, according to a statement made by Dr. Charles W. Eliot of Harvard university. Doctor Elliot spoke to 100 Harvard students on his recent trip to China and Japan, It being the first time he has talked to Harvard men since his return. He said that heretofore the Chinese have been entering into games of chance with much enthusiasm, but that they are now taking mnch interest in baseball, which Doctor Eliot beifeYfefl will fcraduaTly win them away from gambling and make better men of them. Doctor Eliot spoke hopefully of China’s future, explaining that the extraordinary patience and endurance of the race will enable the Chinese to surmount all the difficulties which now beset them and finally win for them the place they deserve amodg the nations of the world. He said in part: "I belfeve that the greatest good that is being done the Chinese by the social workers in that country is the Introduction of baseball. These people are taking a great Interest In our national game, and it will be of great benefit to them when indulgence in the sport becomes widespread. Heretofore they have ’ been entering with enthusiasm into the games of chance, but baseball will gradually win them away from that sort of thing and make better men of them. The one depressing circumstance which has an evil effect on their tendency to progress is the lax relationship between the men and women of that country. This I think will improve as the years go by. The greatest scourge of China is. tuberculosis. The disease is far more preva-

i * tent there than in' this country, and the Chinese are ignorant of the means by which it can be fought. They have a peculiar belief that - nvade their homes at nighf*and work harm to them, and to prevent these imps from gaining access to their homes ,they close at night every door and window, sleeping thuß shut off from the air. Disease, and particularly tuberculosis, breeds rapidly under such conditions,”

Dr. Charles W. Eliot of Harvard.