New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-14
A RRITISH RETREAC.

A BRITISH RETREAT
In the hope that Lord Dunravcn would Offer
a frank and ineligible. II not entirely salts
factory. explanation Of his extraordinary action
In taking the Vakyrie out OF Thursdays race
after crossing the line The Tribune RETAINED
from severe criticism Of his conduct. We
thought it possible. moreover, that another con
test might be arranged here or elsewhere and
urged that generosity without regard to tech
meal Justice should DO shown to n defeated an
tagonlst But day has elapsed. the generally
accepted version Of the facts has been con
frmcd public opinion based upon them has not
been modified, suggestions Of additional races
under new conditions have not been entertained
by Lord Dunravcn and The Valkyrc Is being
stripped for her return voyage. a plain state
mcnt OF the case. therefore. seems to be entirely
proper at this time. Americans have no reason
TO be ashamed Of their share In deplorablc
transaction, and they are entitled to have that
fact made known wherever this years contest
for the Americas Cup has excited interest.
Lord Dunraven challenged for the Americas
Gun with full knowledge Of all the conditions
under which the races would he sailed. He was
not n novice competing in American waters for
n trophy held on terms with which he was not
ACQUAINTED He was under obligation TO con
test for the cup at all 1t had been held here for
many years He keenly coveted the honor or
winning IL and taking IT home to England. lie
had raced here before. and had failed The
Temptation TO race again with chance OF win
ming was too strong TO he resisted Under his
supervision and to some extent nt his expense
n syndjcaie boat was built which lac and other
English experts supposed 10 DO capable Of nc-
conulIslllug the object. The Nnlkytie III was
EXPRESSLY constructed 10 meet the conditions
likely 10 prevail oT SANDY Hook NJ Ills time ~
ycnr She cninc here with high reputation for
spccd IN light Mrs Her owners felt eron con
0dencr IA her ability 10 win he cup, If The state
menis which were volunteered IN their bclnif
represcnicd their real feeling. The first race
was sailed last saturday; but though all The con
ditions were such M the Nnlkyrlcs owners had
confidently rcckOned on, she WINS easily beaten,
The yachts sailed again on Tuesday under condl-
tons supposed TO Dc stl more favorable 10 the
challenger. An accidental foul AZ they were
crossing the line seriously disabled the Defender,
but nevertheless she came home only ~ seconds
behind her rival and thus more completely than
at her first opportunity established her superior
fly The race was protested and after a care
full hearing the committee having complete J"ris-
diction in the case allowed the claim. Naturally
the decision unwelcome TO LORD DunraVeh'
and IT is no part of our present purpose TO dis
putc the sincerity Of his contention. But
competent authority. the only competent author
fly, the authority TO which he had voluntarily
submitted himself when he challenged for the
cup. having heard all the testimony decided
against him. The necessity Of this decision was
generally regretted in this country, but II was
rendered unavoidable by the rejection OF the
overtures Of the committee, who were Wiling
| 70 take the responsibility OF being generous
rather than just. The third race In the series
was appointed for Thursday, and such were the
anteccdcnt conditions under which it was TO be
sailed
| Asa matter Of course great number OF spec
tators went down the Bay 10 see the race, with
a confident belief that 1t would prove TO be the
decisive and final contest. The excursion boats
which I'm the first race had caused some lnterfer
once Int I'm the second race much less, had been
brought by the force OF public opinion and the
vigilance Of the patrol boats under remarkable
restraint When the gun was fired for the start
no craft Of any sort or size was within half Il
| mile OF the contcsting yachts. But. having
crossed the line, the Valkyre Immediately aban-
doned the race and the Defender was sent over
| the course alone We learn from his published
communications that Lord Dunravcn was not
satisfied with the conditions which he encoun
tered. We say as a matter Of absolute fact that
he had no reason to be dissatisfied. Even if the
course had been unfortunately more or less OBJ
structed as It was on previous days, such Il
situation would nevertheless have been precise
~ that which past experience had led him TO
anticipate. and which he must inevitably have
taken into account when lie challenged for the
cup We observe that Mr. Glcnnie one Of Lord
Dunravens Spokesman, says that the Nalkyrlc
! crossed the line from consdera ions Of honor. in
order that there might be a technical race. This
| explanation is vauelcss; for all the purposes Of
| cup protection il would have been u race II the
Valkyric had been at Bay Ridge when the gun
was fired, or at the North Pole The only ra-
tonal conclusion Is that Lord Dunraven chose
TO affrOnt an honorable antagonist and vast
number OF generous spectators. subJectng them
TO great Inconvenience and bitter disappointment
by sudden and unexpected disclosure of his
intention not 10 sail He acknowledges that his
action was deliberate; but his purpose not
comprehended until 1t was seen, as the time for
starting approached. that the Valkyrie did not
carry racing canvas
/ Lord Dunraven has infImatcd that he will
never race again in American waters. and even
IL his present temper should he modified by
time and reflection, 1t Is doubtful II any Amerl.