New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-15

echoed among all naval authorities, mas fnaoe w
author a marked man before the world
In regard TO the unlimited scope for discretion
which has been conferred upon the investigating
committee by the New-York Yacht Club II ma! De
taken as a significant fact that the important aSdi-
ton OF the above two gentlemen came as a surprise
10 the club members. From this II may be saiey
contectured that the new committee intends 20 act
with free hand and neither OF the gen,ei men
referred is cub member their assistanae' D WIZ
the idea put IN Yacht aSFa C Cuo
should not solely take charge OF the inquiry -,
good iea. OF discussion has taken place as to the
Committee n taking the evidence In mis- last cable
message Lord Dunraven speaks or being Delayed
by hs nsSey to SFS WY" pr r referring TO
the written statements Of his crew and POSSIBLY
of the friends who were on board the |aikyrie on
rhe argued point therefore. is whether the mere
properly BE- received here as EVIDENCE IL must De
clear to all that me zeal Of the GREY ,S, 10
untrustworthy character when the atfesisn nt are
troi witnesses in courts of law. The law OF Eng;
land prohibits the taking Of oaths except IN legal
Toned and allowed But the purpose Of taking
testimony of an outside and general character
OF voluntary and extra judicial oaths, under
which persons may certify to the truth OF facts,
St sna exenuf this Statutory declaration as
It is called they are Just as liable 10 the penaIudes
oath -.
il cyDected that the testimony on the part OF
the Valkyrie will be brought over in the above form
though It is difficult TO see much value IN IL when
the witnesses will not be present Tor cross.exami.
nation A similar law Is in force In the STATE or
New York and II Is point not interesting 70 law-
yers alone that the committee MI he prevented 1y
law from putting any OF the witnesses unuer 0a'n
as the writer is informed. THIS diriSuity VIII OF
course be got over by the use OF the statutory
declaration the cross-examination being taken
down by shorthand writers and typewriter Tor the
signatures of the witnesses when they complete
their declaration in the way prescribed by law
On the other hand 1t has been c3nsldeteu Una, IN
monv 70 be now brought by Lord Dunraven
ca mot possibly be more in any case than a mere
expression OF opinion-no matter now Wen u pe
authenticated even sworn to. THIS certainty is
Sufficient to indicate that the whole case must IN
reality stand or fall by the evidence of the witnesses
produced from the Defenders crew or from the
crew Of her tender the Hattie Palmer.
Apparently the only testimony IN support OF the
charges that will be open 10 crOss-examinaton VIII
he that OF Lord Dunrayer himself or any,, ana or
the crew OF the Nakyre tender, the City or Bridge
MORE than mere supposltion IL Will be seen that the
issue vii! come off almost so.ely on the evidence Tor
tbs defence. go . 49,, l., ,
10 the following points. which are the charges
created by Lord Durrayen's pamphlet;
% Was the Defender improperly ballasted on
~ Was Lord Dunreyen within his rights in de-
mendng compliance with the cub rue a to mark
ing the measurement OF the yachts In his letter or
September )?
80 Did the member 81 the Gun Committee who
re- presented the Defender the Ns!kyrie tSeptem-
her y convey to the other members OF the commit
tes Lord Dunraveaa protest about the overbalast-
90 WHY the cup Committee declined to measure
OF guard the Yacht which was accused.
Dd the cub misreprssent taets % the press CON
that Lord DunI avsns pamphlet had 10 be issued 10
state the truth