New-York tribune., 1901-09-08
HALT IN THE BETTING.
THE CHOICE OF COLUMBIA TO DEFEND
THE CUP HAS HAD THAT EFFECT.

n is generally thought on the steam yacht Erin
that the choice OF the Columbia to be the defender
of the Americas Cup has made the task of the
challenger harder than expected by some of
Sir Thomas Lipton's party. Up 10 the last few
days the general idea tine Erin was that the
Constitution would be chosen One Of the party on
the Erin said yesterday: II think that in the
choice of the Columbia the challenge committee
showed that II was chiefly moved by consider
ation-the desire to get the fastest boat for all
around performance"
On being asked what was the general view OF the
Columbias selection among the crew, officers and
owner of the Erin. the reply was: We'll. the mat
ter 10 different people in different ways. As
far as the crew Is concerned, think I may say
with some correctness that they want to win the
Cup IN the easiest way possible. and IN that view
would think, have preferred the Constitution to
have been chosen II may be that some Of the
officers would have preferred the Constitution for
the reason. But with Sir Thomas 1t is diff
ferent He does not want anybody to be able after
ward 10 say with any appearance OF truth that he
had not beaten Americas best boat. II he Is able
to win the Cup. he wants to be able TO think that
England has from the fastest racer that the
United States could produce
"If the Constitution had been chosen. and II Sir
Thomass Shamrock had beaten her there were
many OF those employed his boats here
who would be ready 10 agree with the statement
As As It Is nov now there need be no after talk o. OF that
lieve We are now TO meet the best all round boat
the WOrlu ever knew. ana IT EerreSnOU was not
able to improve upon her in a later design II Is
all the better proof OF the superlative excellence
Of the Columbia It is largely guesswork as to to
beat the Columbia. II she wins in the coming
races II seems to me that there will be more cause
for pride in beating Engand's latest production
with a two year old boat than II new one were
brought out to do so"
One consequence of the selection OF the Columbia
Is that betting has temporarily almost ceased. A
large amount of the American money was wagered
by Outsiders-people living AT distance from New
York-who commissioned local friends TO place
their funds. Almost TO n these people were
betting on their belief in Herreshoff's magic In AL
ways producing faster craft than the former de-
fender and now that the challenge committees de-
cision tells the American public different story
they have little else to upon As regards the
English money. there seems 10 be halt for the
purpose OF receiving further expert opinion. The
money that has already been put up had the Con-
stltution chiefly In view and although IL really
might be chosen. still the ease of the Columbia :
last five victories has given pause 10 the working
OF the purse strings
condition OF the President, Sir Thomas Upton
yesterday but kept her at anchor in Sandy Hook
Bay. In the morning nothing was done except 70
air the sails and IN the afternoon most OF the sail
ors got shore leave II IS the intention OF Sir
Thomas 10 put the boat through a test on the
Americas Cup course on Sandy Hook every day
week n the President continues to improve