The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-01
HIS CHARGES UNTRUE
LORD DUNRAyEN'S ALLEGATIONS
BASED ON A MISTAKE.
Report of the New York Yacht Clubs
Special Committee on the De-
fender-vaIkyrie Matter.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31.-The New York
Yacht Clubs home on Madison avenue was
crowded tonight with members who were
anxious to hear the report of the investigat-
ing committee which was appointed several
months ago to hear the charges preferred
by Lord Dunraven against the owners of the
victorious Yankee craft-Defender. Com
modore Brown called the special meeting
of the club for O'Clock tonight and after
the secretary had called the roll the report
of the investigating committee was read.
In the absence of Hon. L. ]. Phelps, who
was chairman throughout the investigation,
the report was read by Mr.. j. p. Morgan.
The charge was that after being measured
the yacht Defender was surreptitiously
loaded SO as TO sink her four inches deeper
in the water; that she had sailed in that
condition the first day and Immediately
after the race the ballast was secretly re-
moved, so that when measured the next day
no discrepancy was found TO exist betEeen
the two measurements. The conclusion
reached is:
ION careful cnsideration of the whole
case the committee Is unanimously of the
opinion that the charge made by Lord Dun
raven had it's origin in a mistake; that IL is
not only not sustained by evidence, but is
completely disproved, and that all the cir
cumStd1ceS lnQ-CdteQ Dy MIN as B1V1nS rise
to his suspicion are entirely and satisfac-
torily explained. They deem it, therefore,
but just TO Mr.. Iselin and the gentlemen
concerned with him, as we'll as to the Off
and crew, of the Defender, that the
committee express emphatically their con-
viction that nothing whatever occurred in
connection with the race in question that
casts the least suspicion on the integrity
or propriety of their conduct, and the COM
mite are not willing to doubt that IL Lord
Dunraven had remained present throughout
the investigation, so as TO have heard all
the evidence that was introduced, he would
of his own motion have Withdrawn a
charge that was so plailly founded on mis-
take. and that has been so unfortunate in
the publicity it has attained and the feeling
to which 1t has given rise"
During the reading of the report every
point made elected hearty cheers and ap-
plause. When Mr.. Morgan had finished
the report was accepted and adopted. 1t
was decided that the consideration of the
committees report be postponed until the
next general meeting of the club, Feb. H.
--
Dunraven Would Not Talk.
LONDON, Jan. 31.-Copies of the decision
of the special committee of investigation
of the New York Yacht Club We're deliv-
cred to the press and to Lord Dunraven
at 10 o'clock tonight by Mr.. Burns. Lord
Dunraven spent the evening at the Marl-
borough Club. and arrived at his residence
just in time to receive the document. LORD
perusal of the report. An interview was
sought tonight with Lord Dunrayen but
he refused to express an opinion or to
speak for publication on the decision.
The Chronicle congratulates the Dunraven
committee on its studied courtesy and con-
sideration when the complete demolition of
Lord Dunravens monstrous charges might
have justified the severest censures THE
only course open to him." says the Chron-
lcle, is an instant and complete apology"
The Times, in an editorial, expresses the
greatest respect for the committee, the only
possible objection to the composition of
which. in the Timess opinion, is that the
weighed the expert element. ut is not quite
obvious" the Times continues, why he de-
clines TO investigate other charges than the
immersion charges. While some grounds OF
the committees decision are undeniably
strong and pertinent, others appear to be
or less cognant nature" Preceding then
to call in question some of the findings as
inconclusive. the Times says: 1.-The lam
guage adopted by the committee will seem
unduly severe when Ii is remembered that
the charge was not made public by Lord
Dunraven until ii had already been pub
Iisned by the cup committee in New York
were unable 10 take q wiser view of their
functions and to Judge the whole case on
Its merits The result of the inquiry is 10
acquit Mr.. Iselin and his friends OF n charge
which was not brought against them isuI
IL can hardly be said TO. have cleared in a
satisfactory manner the real matter at is
sue."