New-York tribune., 1895-08-08
AN ENGLISH COMMENT.
MR.. WILLARD IN THE RIGHT.

AN EXPERT YAcHTsMAN SHOWS UP SOME POINTS
IN REGARD TO THE RECENT RACES.
During the last forty eight hours there has been
only one subject of discussion among yachtsmen
The stand taken by Mr.. Willard. on behalf OF the
Vigilant. is capable OF being regarded In different
ways II yacht race is to be considered solely as
social function. But as far as yachting Is con-
cerned there is only one view that Is tenable.
Mr.. Willard's patience has been exhausted. he
has sailed the Vigilant according to the rules and
has a right to expect that every other competitor
VIII be compelled TO do the same. When the De-
fender July % last at the beginning OF the race
off Sandy Hook. rounded up the Vigilant and
risked collision solely in the hope that Mr.. Will
lards good humor could be relied on, protest was
filed. From that day to this. Mr.. Willard has not
received any satisfaction in regard to his COM
paint All persons interested In the matter nave
been close at hand and the public has been curious
to find out whether or not these races are being
run under any rules. and II any, what rules.
Again. Mr. Willard had clear right to know how
his boat stood ir these races and more than week
ago required that the Regatta Committee should
cause both competing boats TO be of1ciaiy meas
ured Since then nothing has been done ABOUT
this After nearly dozen races. MT WIZARD Is
still deprived Of any official Information az 10
whether his boat has been defeated or Is WIN
ner. Beyond doubt the Vigiant has not always
been the loser in these contests, when the probable
time allowance Is considered. But after every race
the Vigilant has been advertised as beaten boat.
Now, in regard to the principle involved. II need
not be considered whether the Nigilant was pea'eh
not. Defeated not defeated. Mr. WIZARD
has possessed. from the first a right to know ex-
acty how his boat stood. according to ofhcial
measurement.
A prominent paper lately said: "Mr lsehh was
asked why he delayed the measuring OF the TWO
boats?" The reply to this is not at present re-
membered and the reporter may not have properly
used such words the above; but, all the same
they raised the question in many yachtsmeh
minds as to how far Mr. Iselin owned the Regatta
Committee. as well the Defender ,so ,as,
Tuesday. yachsmen have been wondering whethe,
any yachting rules still exist Mr. Willard mas az
always hand under all conditions: HIS letter
to the committee did not state his fu case ous W
smart handling of yachts according TO those rules
have approved MI. Wizards course In wlthora"-
ing the Vigant from further contests; su .,urs .,
family affairs. in which the sole object was 70
gauge the Defenders speed then the case , wDu'a
hard light in the furtherance Of certain proper am
billions If Mr.. Willard can procure no answer to
boats nor proper observance of racing rules on
the part Of his competitor, then he does the only
thing left to him when he withdraws the ''s"ah'
But not for long The real trial races s.. come on
soon and Mr. wafd RIM Hse from no then contesng for
all the Vigant is worth. This boat. as tne centre
board champion Of the earlier day ia b mas
in her present owner In Mr.. Willard but In the
boat And If II e real time allowance; when % pup PUB
ished is greater than the keel boat can give then
these friends of the Vigiant will be glad to see the
centreboard once more defend the cup Their IN.
onlv"and not in any combination of millionaire
who however public h ,ney eenHer must
not be allowed to ride rough-shod over racing
rules