New-York tribune., 1901-09-06
THE OLD DEFENDER AGAIN.

The selection OF the Columbia 10 defend the
Americas Cup fulfs a general expectation
which began 10 form during the period or the
early contests OF the Columbia and the Con
stitution and has steadily grown stronger
since they met in the first OF the oflclal trial
races Doubtless il was not an easy, nor an al
together agreeable decision for the challenge
committee to reach. II is a confession that TOT
the first time a new demand upon American
skill I'm yacht building has failed IN insure an
improvement upon former model And more
over. 10 that judgment some experts are not
yet quite ready 10 submit. The men chiefly IN
terested I'm the Constitution have continued 10
believe, I'm the face OF repeated disappointments,
that she is capable of much better work than
she has done. and have been hopeful that some
mysterious fault which would account for her
failures might he detected in time TO prove her
inherent superiority That view Of the matter
was probably presented 10 the committee with
earnest arguments yesterday. and with the ad-
ditionaI force impaired by Wednesdays credita-
bic performance. But the theory of latent
powers was not. and in the nature of things
could not have been. justified. The committee
had TO find verdict on the record, and the
record required that the Columbia should be
chosen.
II is indeed possible that another considera-
fion was influential. The best Judges al least
among disinterested observers. agree that the
Columbia has been more sdlfuly handled
throughout than the Constitution, and some OF
them are inclined 10 think that an opposite re-
suit would have been achieved II the personal
conditions aboard the boats had been reversed.
But il would have been exceedingly emharrass-
ing IL not wholly mpracticable, at this late
day, 10 transfer Captain Barr and his crew
from the Columbia, with which they are per
fectly acquainted. 20 the Constitution, Of which
they know nothing except by observation In
the opinion of many competent critics who have
watched the tests with deep concern the ex-
traordinary ability with which the Columbia
will be sailed in the Cup races will 80 nearly as
far 20 justify the committee in choosing her 10
meet the Shamrock as her demonstrated SUI
periority 10 the Constitution by a margin none
too large. In the mean time general sympathy
and appreciation will be bestowed upon those
who have expended large amount of money
and time In an unsuccessful effort 10 provide
new and invincible defender of the Cup.
The developments which have resulted in the
choice Of the Columbia can scarcely fail 10 en-
courage the hopes OF Sir Thomas Upton and
Americans are fikely 10 be correspOndingly de-
pressed by a superficial view Of the situation.
But while il is safe to look for close finish
there is no reason for extreme despondency.
Shamrock ii unquestionably sailed faster after
her accident than she had sailed before IT, and
regularly beat her predecessor In races which
were probably not deceptive in any respect
Sir Thomas and his advisers are also confident
that Shamrock / is a notably better boat than
she was two years ago But the managers of
the Columbia believe that she is likewise con-
siderably faster than she was in 1899, and
I, n,1sass.
rest on precarious foundation, there would
seem 10 De as much reason for reckoning on an
improvement in the case of the Columbia as in
the case Of the first Shamrock. If So Sham
rock ii has formidable difference to cover
In one of the two races which were finished by
both yachts in 1899 the Columbia won by 10
minutes. seconds, and in the other by min
utes, "a seconds. 1t is a rational conclusion that
neither the challenger nor the defender will
have walkOver. but that the Cup will be won
or saved in a series Of superb and thrilling con-
tests