New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-03
THE CHALLENGE HERE.

Those unenviable persons who are always
willing to predict and. il necessary. invent per-
plexties and disagreements TO mar Peasnr-
able prospect have apparently been left wi'n-
out an occupation so far as the projected race
for the Americas Cup is concerned. The most
cautious and gloomy individual in the world
would find il hard TO give g reason FOR COM
nIanipg of the way in which everybody au-
tbor;zed TO represent Sir Thomas Upton has
snoken of the matter since his intention was
first made public II was said mt the outset
by himself and by others In his behalf mat lie
felt absolute confidence In the sporfsmanilke
qualities of American yachtsmen. was sure mat
he should receive the fairest possible treatment
and being intensely anxious for race. would
insist on no special conditions. but cordially
agree TO such terms as might be agreeable TO
rho Nev-York Yacht Club. There has been no
deviation from this generous attitude. ana
members of the committee Of the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club who arrived yesterday with the
challenge are already quoted Ms sustaining it
in every particular.
II has been said that the challenger favored
n 7O-footer instead OF n 00-footer and the re-
ply OF Mr. Fife the designer, to an inquiry on
this point yesterday made 1t possible to infer
that such was the fact: but he said distinctly
that nsistence upon that restriction or any
other. had never been thought Of Mr.. Fife
added: Eve want n race and no hitch Will
occur so far as we are concerned" If Sir
Thomas Upton and the Royal Ulster Yacht
Club prefer 7O-foot yachts for a race Of this
character they are by no means alone In their
preference 1t has often been contended on this
side OF the water that the big boats were
rather an artificial contrivance TO carry sail
than natural evolution In marine architecture.
1t is not impossible that this view may obtain
strong support here at the present time, and
that in consequence the challenging club may
find It's inclination shared in case the report
referred to Is correct At all events there Will
be no controversy over the matter.
1t has also been asserted obviously with no
better warrant that Sir Thomass represent
atlves were averse to racing In New-fork
waters and would urge the choice Of the New
port course. in the belief that interference on
the part OF excursion boats could not be pre-
vented here. The fact appears to be that
whereas Newport may be suggested as posi-
billty by either side, this. like every other de-
tail, will be settled without the presentation Of
anything like demand. or even claim. on the
part Of the challenger. IT may reasonably
enough be taken into consideration. for the
Newport course has had some advocates among
American yachtsmen. But we cannot suppose
that there Is any probability OF its being So
lected for the international race next year.
Some of the conditions prevailing there are not
at all favorable and moreover. such objections
as have been made to the course of Sandy
Hook from time to time have been exagger-
ated Lord Dunraven had much to say on the
subject Of interference three years ago. but he
was never able to prove his case. 1t Is true
that intense interest and an enormous attend
ance have produced some embarrassments and
caused some trouble in the past, but 1t is doubt
full If the difficulty and annoyance have been
greater here than they often have been In Eng
lish waters or would he II another course Vert
chosen for next years race. II may safely be
assumed that every precaution will be taken
10 avoid cause for complaint. and that expert
ence will suggest means Of improving the ar
rangements
We offer to the committee Of the Royal
Ulster Yacht Club hearty welcome to New
York They are here on a most honorable and
agreeable errand. and we hope they will CON-
plete il in manner entirely satisfactory to
themselves