The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-14
Placed in DiscourteOus Attitude
 Toward Sir Thomas Lipton ALL OVER A CLUB DINNER
Roosevelt Stipulated He Was to be Only Guest of Honor-Since
 Yachtman Has Been lnvit- ed He May Decline.

Oyster Bay, September 1S.-An unpleas- ant episode with a phase of international interest, has been the outgrowth of dinner to be given next Friday night the 18th instant, by the Seawanhanka- -Corin- thian Yacht club. Through a series or misapprehensions on the part, seeming ly, of some members of the club, an ap- parent slight has been put upon Sir Thomas Lipton and President Roosevelt has been placed in the attitude of being discourteous to the British yachtsman.
 The Seawanhanka- Corinthian Yacht club has a spacious and beautiful home on Center island in Oyster Bay It is one of the most prominent yacht clubs of the country, being scarcely second in importance to the New York Yacht club. President Roosevelt Is an active member of the organization, as are many of the best known yachtsmen of the east and Sir Thomas Lipton holds an honorary membership in the club. The day Presi- dent Roosevelt returned from his trip to Syracuse, Colgate Hoyt of New York, chairman of the board of trustees of the Seawanhanka club rendered the Presi- dent an invitation to attend the annual dinner of the organization next Friday ight, and at the same time he extended to him an invitation to be guest at the Ohio society Of New York at dinner to be given some time during the ap- preaching winter.
 Roosevelt Declines.
 With expressions of appreciation of the courtesy shown him, the President in- formed MT. Hoyt that he felt obliged to decline them. He had declined many other similar invitations and felt there fore. that it would not be fair to all of his friends, to acceH' those rendered by Mir Hoyt MT. IIoS insistent. how ever, that he sho Attend the yacht club dinner, and t resident, after be- ing assured that i IS to be purely a .'neighborhood affair."" consented to be present for a short time. He expressly stipulated that it was not to be formal function to be attended by guests out side of the club. MT. Hoyt readily &C., quiesced in the Presidents suggestion.
 Subsequently, Secretary Loeb, having learned that Sir Thomas Lipton and mem- bers of his party probably would be guests at the dinner, inquired of MT. Hoyt if they were to be in attendance. He told MT. Hoyt, that, under the agree ment made, if there were to be other guests the President would feel obliged to decline the invitation extended to him.
 Last Friday, Secretary Loeb received a letter from MT. Hoyt assuring him that the dinner would be conducted in accord ance with the Presidents desires.
 Stewart @-sumes Blame.
 Today at the club house of the Sea- wanhanka organization on Center island Secretary Francis c. Stewart, of New York, felt inclined to assume a part of the blame for the unpleasantness which has developed. He said that at the New York Yacht club few nights ago, he had asked Sir Thomas Lipton if he had an engagement for the 18th instant Be- ing assured that he had not, Secretary Stewart then requested Sir Thomas to hold that date open in order that he might attend the Seawanhanka dinner. He point ed out that a rule of the club permitted a member of the organization to invite one guest to attend the club dinners. His invitation to Sir Thomas was extended as a member and not on behalf of the club MT. Hoyt, who was at his resi- dence on the island, discussed the episode frankly. He said that President Roose- welt was to be the only guest of honor at the dinner and that there had been no thought of having any other.
 Only One Guest of Honor.
 eve would not for a minute consider having another guest of honor" said he. "The President and I had a thorough understanding of the matter He did not care to attend an elaborate function for very substantial reasons. Any sensation made out of this matter must be cut from the whole cloth"
 Mir Hoyt was asked if Secretary Loeb had presented as one of the conditions of the Presidents acceptance of the clubs invitations that Sir Thomas Lipton should not be present.
 "Oh. mo-" he replied mot at all, not at all."
 It was said tonight that President Roosevelt had indicated quite clearly his opinion and regard for Sir Thomas Lipton by inviting him to the White House and subsequently, by entertaining him on board the cruiser Mayf1owcr.