New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-27
CORNELL. HARVARD AND VIE.

II has come 10 De generally unueINloou' tnoush
no formal announcement to that effect has yet
been made, that Cornell Will have chance 70
row against both Yale and Harvard next June
1t Is expected that the first definite step toward
a meeting Of these three principal competitors
for aquatic honors among the colleges VIII be
an invitation from Yale TO Cornell which may
not take the form Of a specific challenge but
leave full opportunity for negotiations on
basis Of mutual respect and goodwill. For
there are several important considerations TO
be carefully weighed. We suppose 1t to be
fac. that Yale students and graduates are not
Of one mind on the subject OF n boat race with
Cornell not because they entertain any such
stupid anmos,ty toward the Ithacans as has
been attributed TO them nj times, or feel the
slightest disposition 70 underrate either the
notable victory OF Cornell on the Hudson last
summer or her general proficiency In oarsman-
ship; but because their ancient rivalry with
Harvard still appeals 10 them most strongly
and they are averse to big college regatta, to
which they surmise that the advent OF Cornell
may lead. with results generally unsatisfac-
tory as were those Of twenty years ago. But, on
the other hand. they appreciate the sportsman
Ike and courteous conduct Of Cornell last spring
and realize that 1t would be the fair and manly
thing 10 respond in kind Moreover, there Ia
among them a natural and Creditable ambition
to try conclusions again with the unquest1oned
champions Of 1897
But at this point begin TO appear various COM
pcations which may not prove TO be easy Of
adjustment Yale and Harvard are already IN
der FIVE years agreement to race one another,
and their Joint consent IA required to admit
M fhnrn
would probably be little trouble about II, and
il may be assumed that Cornell would accept
such a chance to win or lose n three cornered
race. But here the question OF n satisfactory
course comes IN. Yale is known to prefer New
London, to dislike Poughkeepsie and to be ut
terly opposed TO Saratoga. II there were no
doubt about the fitness Of the NewLOndOn
course an agreement might not be difficult and
It is a pity that the Thames Is not a hundred
feet WIDER for though some boating authori-
ties, including Mr. Cook, are quoted as saying
that it is Just about wide enough to answer the
purpose, that view is stoutly disputed. The
Poughkeepsie course, which Cornell is supposed
to favor, Is objected to by many on the oppo-
site ground, namely, that the river Is too wide
and consequently subject to too great disturb
ance from wind and tide; to which Yale men
ADD that the climate Is un1aVOraDlc ana inc
accommodations are uncongenial. Thus far
Harvard has not expressed so strong an opin-
ion. but is commonly understood to share Yales
preference for New-LondOn. 1t appears. there
fore. to be likely that when the time comes for
an official discussion of the question some knot
| ty points will be found waiting for a solution.
! 1t is possible that n solution will be reached
| in series of dual races ut New London, though
| 1t is pretty sure TO be objected that one hard
race within the available period is enough. But
that argument seems TO us to DO based upon
an erroneous conception Of what a wisely and
thoroughly trained crew ought TO be fit for, and
consequently to have less force than Ia often
attributed to IT, great deal of light IL thrown
upon this question Of enduring competency by
| the recent experiences OF the Yale football team.
| which played fierce tie game with Harvard,
| won from Princeton in brilliant style week
! later, and without doubt could have given q
good account Of itself on any day Of the last
week. Football is at least as exhausting as
rowing, and Is far more prolific Of injuries
which, however slight, take something from a
mans efficiency Our belief is that a crew as
| at to pull four-mlle race as this years Yale
team was to play football game Of thirty
minute halves could row two or three races
within a week without doing itself injustice or
any member Of 1t HARM