New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-07
TIE FIRST RACE.

Tho day for the first international race mas
come. and nothing has occurred to modify pop
ular expectations concerning the result IN
doubleday there Is prevalent behef mat the
Valkyrle will prove TO be the best boat That ever
crossed the Atlantic FOR the Americas Cup, anu
the Defender little better. But In reality there
Is only meagre evidence on which 10 Dase IN
estimate of the English yachts ability. she was
not subjected to a thorough test before she start
ed for New-York and she has done practically
nothing since her arrival except to stretch her
sails and accept the slight attentions made neces
sary by an ocean voyage That Lord Dunravcn
has seemed TO be satisfied has been the cnier
reason for believing that she was fit Tor her
task and II he has been accurately quoted With
in day or two the fears of some Americans are
rather stronger than his hopes. On the other
hand the Defender has had prolonged and care
full preparation, and is a stouter and swifter
boat than she was when her capabilities were
first disclosed and she Is not likely to encounter
any conditions today essentially different from
those under which she has completely estaDhsned
her superiority to the Vigilant. She may de-
velop under the pressure Of competition Tor the
cup more speed than she has heretofore shown,
but there is abundant and conclusive proof OF
her ability on record already The American
boat is a known quantity; the English boat Is
still an enigma.
Perhaps this element Of mystery, giving rise
to suspicion that the Vakyrle may have sur
prise in store for us, II not for her owners, ac-
counts in part for the extraordinary interest
which is felt in today's contest 1t Is reckoned
that at least thirty thousand spectators Will be
afloat and there Is not a hamlet to which the
telegraph reaches which will not feel the excite
ment Without doubt there Will be strong
Temptation to handle the great feet Of steamers
and pleasure boats In such a manner as TO I'M
pede the course embarrass the racers and en-
danger life The single objection TO sailing in
ternational races In New-York waters Is the
facilities here afforded to spectators. English
yachtsmen have recognized this objection here
tofore and expressed themselves on the subject,
not In every case perhaps with scrupuous re-
gard 10 the facts. Fairmnded Americans must
always earnestly desire that there should be no
Just cause for complaint Of interference, and
especially when their antagonist Is so modest,
manly and courteous a competitor as Lord Dun
raven.
Nevertheless In the excitement OF the moment
deporable acts Of thoughtlessness may be COM
United, and 1t seems necessary to urge all hav-
Ing authority aboard the numerous boats OF oil
classes which will 90 down the Bay to observe
every requirement OF prudence and fairness be-
fore. during and after the race Nobody imag'
ines that deliberate interference with the yachts
will occur but the course may be obstructed and
possibly the result affected by careless or ncom-
petent commanders. even II no serious accident
is caused. Against such a mschance Individual
caution is the only safeguard There Is no ade-
quate official authority TO prescribe and enforce
rules Of safety, and therefore keen sense OF
personal responsibility Is all the more essential