SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETERS.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] have read with amazement Dr. Conan Doyle's denun- ciation, in the Spectator of April 20th, of the approaching visit to England of a team of cricketers from South Africa. Why does Dr. Doyle write now ? Is it from ignorance of the facts that he has kept silence so long ? For the visit was arranged and publicly announced last year. Months ago the dates of matches were published in the daily papers. Last week we were further informed that the team had actually sailed for England. Why does Dr. Doyle urge now that the visit "would be a scandal" ? But surely, apart from this, Dr. Doyle takes an unreasonably narrow view of such a visit from our Colonial fellow-subjects when he thinks that it is a "stain on their manhood" that they are not out with rifles, and hopes that they will meet with a "cold reception," Does Dr. Doyle mean that every able-bodied man in South Africa, between the ages (say) of eighteen and forty, ought to be actually fighting the Boers ? Thousands and thousands of South Africans are nobly fighting,—all honour to them. But we have not proclaimed a levy en masse ; and may not South Africa spare a dozen men to come for a short while to join in friendly rivalry and healthy sport with their kin in the Old Country ? Or does Dr. Doyle mean that cricket is too frivolous a game to be indulged in while the country is at war? If so, are all pastimes to be stopped ? What about theatres, races, billiard-matches, and many other amusements, which cannot be said to develop the fighting powers of their devotees, while cricket may, as Dr. Doyle himself says, "keep a man fit for the serious duties of life" P Many a cricketer has gone from England to fight in South Africa,—and to fight none the worse because he was a cricketer. Hampshire sent early in the war about half her county eleven. Yorkshire sent two of her most brilliant amateurs,—one of whom (Mr. Milligan) laid down his life there. And if space permitted I could mention many other distinguished English cricketers who are fighting, or have died, in defence of the Empire. Are we quite certain that none of the South African team now sailing to our shores have fought during the past year and a half ? and that none will fight, if they are wanted, when they return to Africa ? Sir, I am myself neither a cricketer nor a South African; but I think it will be indeed a " scandal " and "a stain on our matihoed" if we give a "cold reception" to this small band of Colonials, who, we may naturally suppose, are looking forward to a hearty welcome in England. Our loyal fellow-subjects in South Africa have had a great deal to bear in past years. more, perhaps, than we in England even yet realise. Are
we to punish and insult with chilling contempt men who are conscious of doing no wrong in accepting an invitation from England ? May we not rather hope that, as (in the opinion of some of us) visits of cricketing teams between England and Australia have helped to produce a deeper knowledge and a warmer esteem on both sides, so this visit, albeit only for sport, may help to strengthen the ties between England and South Africa,—unless we spoil all by a want of warmth in our welcome P—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. H. F. BOUGHEY.
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