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This is what might have been stated. Newton's South African public placed a petition on the Table of the House asking for consideration and redress. [Some Kaffirs had been given hold-ings closer to Newton's farm than he liked.— ED.] General Smuts, after a personal interview, took immediate steps to right the matter, but within a few days of his action was thrown out of the Government and replaced by General Hertzog as prime minister. General Hertzog ridiculed the matter in the House and was backed solidly by all the Backveldt. Recognizing the government as corrupt I left South Africa and was welcomed in Rhodesia, whose citizens subsequently subscribed and sent me to England to break running records there. After this the South African public. led by the Advertiser of Durban, subscribed in shillings a sum of some $6.000 as compensation. I am still in close touch with all the principal papers in South Africa and Rhodesia and am happy to know that the public there have by no means forgotten me.
I ran as a young man of 24-29, not for racing but only for healthy exercise. Then came the War. After the War, at the age of 30 I decided to put up world's records in order that I might make sure that other settlers should get to learn what was awaiting them in the Union of South Africa. I knew that while the Backveldt was in power I, as an Englishman, had no hope whatever of any compensation for the loss of my farm: but I was. and still am, anxious to make the affair so public that in future the government then will find it discreet to act more wisely with others: I fight for others, not myself.
I never ran round the farm: roads suited me better. I used science and a trained mind to accomplish my ends. I intended to write a book on the subject and, if everyone knew who I was. they would as likely as not read it. The book is now completed and I shall shortly be looking for a publisher. I never ran in farm clothes: athletes would not do so. I did not wear leather socks. I did not drink the mixture stated— sometimes I drank ordinary tea.
Oh well! My best respects to TIME and its Sports Editor: perhaps if I am lucky I may manage to run across him some day and work a different impression on him to the one the article must have made.
ARTHUR F. H. NEWTON
Montreal, Canada
To Runner Newton all thanks for clarifying his legend. Last fortnight, teamed with Peter Gavuzzi. he won the $3.000 first prize in a relay race from Montreal to Quebec and return.—ED.
Van Loon Offsprings
Sirs: