Cricket 1914

4 4 0 THE WORLD OF CRICKET. A ugust 15, 1914- Important Notice. It is with extreme reluctance that we make the announcement which follows ; but we feel that it is the right course to take. The manhood of the nation is rallying to the nation’s flag. The destinies of Europe hang upon the issue of the next few days, or the next few weeks. From the moment that the gage was so wantonly flung down by Germany every thinking man must have realised that at best a dark and trying time was ahead of us. That cricket may yet go on for a few days, or even weeks, is quite likely. Whether “ THE WORLD OF CRICKET ” should go on is another matter. Many staunch supporters of the game may think that it should. We have considered the matter seriously, and we think otherwise. On the eve of the publication of this issue comes the news that the great battle expected appears to have begun. The issue lies on the knees of the gods. Should Germany sustain such a defeat as could serve to convince her that the game is up, peace might ensue very speedily. But the chance of this is a remote one. Behind the German Army are great reinforcements ; even the medically unfit are being forced into the ranks. All this points to a prolongation of the struggle. We have not the heart to go on. There must be work to do elsewhere at such a time of better worth than the chronicling of cricket. We hope that it may be given to us to do our share in it. We beg, therefore, to announce that the issue of “ THE WORLD OF CRICKET ” WILL BE SUSPENDED from this week until further notice. Should events prove that a long continuance of the War is unlikely we propose TO ISSUE THE FIRST OF THE MONTHLY NUMBERS IN SEPTEMBER. In this number we shall bring up to date (for the benefit of our Overseas Subscribers) the matches played since August 12, and give the season’s averages. But should the issue of a number in September seem inadvis­ able we shall wait until such time as further publication seems justifiable and necessary. In'any case, we have sufficient confidence in the nation and its brave allies and in the vitality of the greatest of all games to say that we do not doubt that a resumption sooner or later is certain.