Evening star., 1901-07-27
Participation Of Americans at Henley
Still Being Discussed.
ANTIQUE CORONATION cEREMONIALS
Big Profits Made by Those Who
Furnish War Supplies.
COLOR OF WAR SHIP S
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

Just after the Henley regatta several let
ters appeared in the London papers, pro-
testing against the presence at the time
honored English rowing fixture of foreign
crews. These letters, which were signed
by no less prominent rowing experts than
DIR. Edward Warre, head master of Eton
College, and r. C. Lehman, former coach
to the Harvard crew, and now editor Of
the Daily News, took the view that for
eigners had no right to intrude themselves
on the Thames when the British wanted
to take things easy and conduct their river
picnic in their own way. The presence of
the Americans especially introduced an
element of hustle to the half-pastoral, half
aquatic function that i'll accorded with the
British idea of enjoyment.
DR. Warre maintained that the founders
of the regatta and the doners Of the cups
never contemplated the inclusion Of any
other than amateurs of the united king
DOM" He strongly deprecated the taint cf
professionalism that seemed to menace
Royal Henley Mr.. Lehman viewed with
dismay the probability of ili-will being en-
gendered instead of friendliness at these
meetings." and wrote strongly on the sub
ject
Too Much Rubbing In.
A correspondent, signing himself Can
tab" in the Daily News went a step fur
ther and specialized. He said that the
general behavior of the compatriots who
crowd to Henley to see the. Americans row
is not conciliatory to Englishmen."
I'VE can take a defeat" he continued,
"but we do not care to have It rubbed into
us until the whole atmosphere is tumble
of stars and stripes" This is a gentle
reference to the Penns defeating their first
two opposing crews before meeting Lean
der.
This is all very amusing to me. One
year I followed the yachting all about the
English coast. 1t was when the Vigilant,
belonging to Mr.. George Gould, was here
competing in the British races. The yacht
made few wins, but was beaten more
frequently and generally by the Prince of
Wales Britannia. Usually when the Vigi-
liant won her victory was received with
chilling silence. When the Britannia won
deafening cheers greeted her arrival at
the flag boat. The most fragrant case of
this sort Of thing occurred at Cowes, and
was conducted by the highly born gentle
men Of the Royal Yacht Squadron. of whose
snobbish qualities have written more than
once, l think. Z.
Henley an Amateur Affair.
With regard to Henley, however, the
English may be right. 1t probably is more
conducive to their kind of sport, which
jealously guards against the intrusion of
professionalism. to conduct Henley, which
is a purely amateur and largely social
function, on their own terms.
Mr.. Hewitt Griffin, q ell-known men,
Der of various amateur athletic clubs here,
in letter to the Times strongly defends
at English sporting fixtures. and thinks it
tends to good fellowship and friendly riv-
airy. He says in the course of long
letter:
cally protest against the narrow-minded
view taken by certain Of your correspond
ents concerning international competition.
If their ideas represent those of rowing
men they certainly do not those Of fol-
lowers of other branches Of sport.
I'VE are always glad to see foreigners
competing, and do not begrudge them their
victory II they are good enough to beat our
best men.
Maintain It's Old-Time Glory.
Men were, and are and will be, ready to
come from distant parts of the earth to
compete; representatives of, among other
lands. Canada. South Africa. Australia,
New Zealand, the continent, ETC.. have time
after time taken part Commencing In
letic Club. New York. surprised us by wn-
ming our quarter-mile running in 48 3-5
seconds at Birmingham, the United States
has frequently sent over the pick Of their
athletes, cyclists and swimmers.
Henley is, or was, the chief regatta In
the world. To win the Grand is. or was,
the highest possible mark of merit an
eight could obtain on the face of the globe
In open competition. Why then, should
Henley Of glorious memory be reduced to
the level Of an up-river picnic with races
by local crews thrown In as a side show?
II roWers funk the foreigner'[l will not
believe it-then they are the only section Of
sport who do.
international sport does more to pro-
mote good feeling and friendship between
nations than years Of diplomacy. 1t will be
dency is marked by closing down any one
or our sports to foreigners. 1t means they
are too good for us; keep them out Let
us nope that such step may never be
Letters pro ana con are still being pub
lished on this subject.
The Cor0natfOn Ceremony.
Many rumors continue to float about as
to the coronation ceremony-some to the
effect that 1t is to be on scale of unparal-
leled splendor. and others to the effect
that some Of its mediaeval incongruities
are to be pared down or altogether cut on
II the king can bring himself SO Tar as to
defy the heralds' college and those court
d1gnitaries who have vested oMcial interest
IN maintaining ceremonial and enete ab-
surdities, and were to. insist on placing
himself somewhat abreast of the twentieth
century. he would carry the approval OF
the the public at large The srotesaus, ;s,. and %
armor is to be dispensed with, and so also,
1t is said. is the kiss Of homage. The for
mer Is an absurdity and humiliation to
all sane-minded and self-reSpecting NOR
tails. 1t is too much TO expect that the
ceremony should be sforn Of all the me
dfaevalism at one sweep of the scythe OF
reform, whether the sweep enanates from
the sovereign or public opinion. but the lop-
ping on OF every antiquated custom brings
the undermining OF the ceremony nearer.
The kiss of homage, as an acknowledg-
ment Of loyalty and sovereignty, Is not
originally feudal custom, though feudal-
ism incorporated 1t among Its forms of ex-
pressing loyalty. II is supposed to be OF
eastern origin, and 1t found its way uiti-
inately into the imperial supremacy. and
also, after feudalism rose on the ruins OF
the Roman state. with the theory of
loyalty to the overload. William ~ de-
sired to dispense with II. but was not al
lowed by the bishops tosdo so. The desire
was an indication that tie custom had out
lived its time. 1t Is never likely to be re-
vfved at any future corOhation. but its late
disappearance from the history OF British
sovereignty shows with what difhculty old
forms die.
s In connection with the coronation am
told that the insurance companies during
the next few months win have more appli-
cations than they can deal with Tor. policies