New-York tribune., 1901-01-11
CUP YACHTS NEED 4 DECISION


The question as to the eligibility of outside
yachts to compete for the honor of defending
the Americas Cup should not be left open
Preparations are being made for the building
of two boats which will not be owned by
members of the New-York Yacht Club, and
large expenses are being incurred in ordering
material in the belief on the part of the pro-
moters that their racers will be allowed to
enter the trial contests for selecting a defender
In the case of Mr.. Lawson's craft, one of the
committee advising him is member of the
club and it is hoped in Boston that this will
avail to bring in the yacht. On the part of
the Hanley centreboarder there was much doubt
expressed at the meeting of the proposed share
holders held three days ago, and it was then
determined to send one of those interested to
New-York to arrange, if possible, to have a
member of the New-York Yacht Club become
financially interested in the ambitious craft.
The point is debatable AS the challenged body
the New-York Yacht Club may be in a position
to say If desired, that the defence of the trophy
lies solely in it's hands, the honors to be con-
fined to its own members. On the other hand
it has been shown that the club holds the Cup
as temporary trustee under the terms originally
expressed by its donors, that it should remain
"as a perpetual challenge cup for friendly COM
petition between foreign countries 1t has
been argued that the words between foreign
countries suggest that each competing coun-
try should be represented in the best possible
way, and that limited defence which should
not exhaust the whole of the country's in
vcntive talent was thus forbidden. But surely
1t would be only fair TO those who now
spending money in preparing yachts TO give
decision or at least an official hint, as TO what
will eventually be done, without waiting until
thousands of dollars have been spent under a
possible misconcepton.
Sir Thomas Lipton's declaration of what his
wishes were in sending his challenge is al the
present juncture sngularly apropos. and may
have much weight with the New-York Yacht
Club. In an interview cabled TO The New
York Journal" which appeared in that paper on
Tuesday, Sir Thomas said
My position is simply this: I would not want
TO bring back that Cup TO England with the
knowledge that had not won il away from the
best yacht America could produce l would not
want IL If thought there was yacht in Amer
lea which could have kept me from winning it,
These purely national races. The English
people do not care what English designer
wins so long as England wins. and so
1 judge II TO be with the American peo-
pie The yacht which defends the Cup does so
on behalf Of the whole sevpnty-hve millions OF
people and not behalf Of the individual owner
or designer. What all want is genuine true
and sportsmanlike contests am sending over
the best yacht England produce, and want
TO meet the best yacht America can produce.
To some few people who have bellttled Sir
Thomas because he made his own money we
may suggest that a lack of good sporting blood
is not among his constitutional defects. Better
o. heartier language than the above II would be
difficult to imagine. Is the challenger. who so
strongly objects to limiting the contest, 10 be
taken al his word and be matched by the
selected best of all the American yachts?
Sooner or later the question must be definitely
decided, whether these races are merely club
against club in the words of the original gift
between foreign Countries