New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-09
THE DEFENDER AND THE vIGILANT.

Tho Rcgatta Committee Of the New-York Yacht
Club, being the final authority and in possession
Of evidence which has not all been published, has
decided against the vigilant. both as regards the
nrotest Of July % and the recent withdrawal
from the closing contests off Newport Officially,
therefore. Mr.. Wizards claims are denied, and
tbere may he little advantage In further discus
sion of the technical points involved. though the
discussion will inevitably go on. Unless there Is
unusual retcence moreover. among those who
take the Defenders side In the controversy 'he
committees decision does not express the pre-
vailing judgment Of experienced yachtsmen. III
published interviews are fair indication OF ex-
pert opinion there Is Il great preponderance OK
sympathy with the Vigilants manager Inc gist
OF the issue has been set forth clearly by MI
Willard in the statement that he Is tired OF hav-
ing the responsibility Of avoiding collision put
on his shoulders. The question Is whether or
not. in contempt of racing rules the Defender
has nut that burden on the Vigilant. Mr. Willard
Thought that such was the fact. and has not
changed his opinion The managers or the De-
fender denied the accusation. and have been slis-
tanned by the committee. but apparently not by
the majority Of yachtsmen.
However opinions may differ as to the facts on
which Mr.. Wizards protest and withdrawal
were based. and as 10 the justice Of the de-
cison. there can he no disagreement, we think,
as TO the manner in which he has maintained his
side Of the controversy. If his action was mis-
taken. his demeanor has been faultless. I'VE
want" he said. ito make the Defender 60 as fast
as possible" in order that her capacity may be
thoroughly tested. He RETAINED from formally
protesting on account Of the latest occurrence
which he complained of. lest possibly In conse-
quence Of second protest the eligibility OF the
Defender to sail against the Valkyrie III might
be called in question: and he twice declined 10
take advantage Of what he believed to be his
racing rights One Of the Defenders partlsans
has been quoted as saying: IF the Vigilant was
right why didn't she keep on and sink us!'
That has rather smart and sporty sound but
it does not come anywhere near being conclusive.
Mr.. Willard was in very delicate position. If
in consequence Of any act Of his, however justi-
fable under the rules, the Defender had been
put out of the race for the Americas Cup he
would have been execrated by many, and uni
versally associated in the popular mind with a
deplorable misfortune. He was completely
estopped from carrying his contention TO prac-
teal issue on the water. but his privilege of filing
protest and further defining his position by a
withdrawal was not only absolute. but was ex-
ercised in a perfectly decorous and dgnhed
manner 1t is a satisfaction TO know that the
Vigilant will be ready to sail in the trial races
which are to come, and it is fortunate that the
Defender has such competitor. Nor. we think
Is there much doubt that this incident. in some
aspects regrettable, will prove to be not without
its compensations in the later tests and in the
| final contest