New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-01

II IS now evident that Yachting will occupy n
much smaller place among American sports this
year than IN previous ycars. Many of the best
known yachts have been taken for Government
uses. and the clubs have been announcing IN
many cases that the rcgattas and festivities
which would have occurred If there had been no
trouble with Spain are to be- abandoned The
disposition among owners of vessels and among
wealthy Americans generally seems 10 be- that
willie the country il N war extensive displays in
Yachting four In hand coaching and other luXu-
rious rccrcatlons should be avoided. This is
plainly sound and wholesome feeling. Even II
There were no other obstacles to enjoyment on
steam yachts and sailing yachts. the fact that
this harbor and other harbors are now strcwn
with mines and torpcdocs would naturally make
pcasure-scekcrs extremely nervous rs 10 diver
sion i'm our bays and near our chief cities.
In mos; Of our universities and colleges
strongly patriotic spirit has been shown among
the students, even though few members of the
faculties have been eager in giving all the aid
and comfort to Spain AT this crisis which they
have dared to give. If the arrangements already
made to Increase the number of regular troops
and TO furnish $4,000 volunteers for the coun-
try's need should bc followed M later date by
~
rcsponsc from students eighteen years of age or
over will reach high totals. 1t is. Of course, not
impossibc that larg r number Of soldiers may
he required before the return Of peace. Iii such
m emergency the universities and colleges would
be swift to answer the demands Of the Republic.
Already some ardent young athletes have de-
-lded 10 enter the ARM. and II may be that be-
fore the football season Is begun, and even be-
Gore the boatraccs are completed the col
,egc baseball mines. college crews and college
football teams will De seriously weakened by
the departure Of many Of their best men. More
over It should not be forgotten that while the
war excitement is so intense the passion Of stu
tents for intercollegiate contests must be some
what diminished. The great muitudcs Of young
men in our Institutions Of learning are talking
now about the emergency which confronts the
Nation. and are no longer blazing with nrdor in
the promotion Of sports. As naval conflict
may occur at any moment. the prospects Of the
college crews and Of the baseball players are
spoLen of with less enthusiasm than in peaceful
times.
Sports must be pu in the background in com
parison with National interests to far greater
extent than In any period since the close of the
Civil War and yet hosts OF people VIII seek re-
lief from the strain and anxiety which all must
feel in regard 10 the issues Of expected battles In
amusemcnts Of various kinds. Even when the
civil War was at It's height contests between
running and trotiing horses drew throngs Of OK
cited spectators If the New York Baseball Club
were in the control Of men for whom New->orA-
crs feel sincere respect. and in whom they re-
pose entire confidence, the games played In and
near this city would attract many thousands OF
Ieople. But the reputation VI the New-York