y of the younger generation and the boys.
Once they get a ball and a bat in their hands they are better satisfied
with them than with all the gambling devices which have been bequeathed
to them by a long and eminent line of forefathers.

So it would appear that the introduction of the national game of the
United States into China is likely to exert a humanizing influence which
shall go further than legislation or sword, and if only the missionaries
had grasped earlier the wishes and the tendency of the younger element
of the Chinese population, the country might be further along than it is
with its progressive movement.

In the Philippine Islands the younger generation simply has gone wild
over Base Ball. Progress has been noted in the GUIDE from time to time
of the increase of interest but it is now at such a pitch that the boys
of the islands, wherever Base Ball has been introduced, simply have
deserted everything for it. They will play nothing else. The cockfights
and the gambling games, which were also a part of the amusement of the
younger men, have been given up. The little fellows who wear not much
more than a breechclout play Base Ball. They have picked up many of the
American terms and one of the most amusing of experiences is to stand
outside the walls of old Manila and hear the little brown boys call:
"Shoot it over. Line it out," and the like, returning to their native
language, and jabbering excitedly in Filipino whenever they arrive at
some point of play in which their command of English fails them.

Twenty years from now a league including cities of the Philippines,
China and Japan, is by no means out of the question, and it may be that
the introduction of Base Ball into all three countries will result in a
better understanding between the peoples and perhaps bring all three
races to a better frame of mind as relates to their personal ambitions
and rivalries.

In connection with the widespread influence which Base Ball is having on
both sides of the world, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and on those
of the Atlantic Ocean the editor would like to call attention to the
theory which has been advanced by Mr. A.G. Spalding, the founder of the
GUIDE, as to the efficacy of Base Ball for the purpose of training
athletes, that has a worldwide application.

Mr. Spalding contends that Base Ball has lent no small assistance to the
athletes of the United States in helping them to win premier honors at
the Oly