Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-30
W|THDRAWS OFFER.
Sir Thomas Upton Recalls
Ocean Yacht Race Cup
To Allow Emperor William to Have
That Pleasure.
Offer Will Come Through New York
or Atlantic Clubs.

London, Oct. 29-Sir Thomas Upton
has definitely withdrawn his offer to
build a yacht for a transatlantic race
in 1904, and has made way for Emperor
William, who will present a cup
through the New York Yacht Club or
the Atlantic Yacht Club. This result
was attained by the following inter-
change Of telegrams:
From Sir Thomas Upton to Emperor
william, Oct. q: Il hear from the At
lantic Yacht Club that Your Majesty
contemplates offering a cup for a trans
Atlantic yacht race in 1904, but that
some question has arisen on account
of a similar offer by myself. In the
best interests of the sport Of which
Your Majesty has always been an en-
thusiastic exponent I am only too will
ing to ask the consent of the Atlantic
Yacht Club to withdraw my offer for
1904 and most respectfully and heartily
tender Your Majesty such support as
lies within my power to make trans
Atlantic race for your cup in 1904
thoroughly representative international
event. which under your imperial aus
DlCe6 IL COulu oSdASCiy AoAA W ~
1.-TWO trans Atlantic races the same
year would hardly be satisfactory to
the contestants nor provide an efficient
test Of the highest yachting skill, en-
durance and workmanship. l feel GER
tain that these reasons, which prompt
this offer of withdrawal, would appeal
to the authorities of the Atlantic Yacht
Club and that they jointly with the
New York Yacht Club officials would
gladly carry out such arrangements as
Your Majesty might suggest and agree
with me in desiring to do everything
possible to show keen appreciation of
the generous interest Your Majesty has
repeatedly evinced in the advancement
of yachting in all countries. Upon re-
ceiving your distinguished approval I
will cable to New York a definite with
drawal of my offer for 1904. (Signed)
Thomas J. Upton"
From Emperor William: Il am most
greatful for your kind telegram. My
offer was not made earlier as I was
unable to find out whether you intend
cd to build for 1904 Consequently l
feared to disturb your plans in case you
were preparing a new challenge for the
Americas cup. ] was informed by my
ambassador who will offer my cup to
the two clubs that in the meantime a
similar offer had been made to you.
at once resolved to leave 1t to the Off
GERS Of the Atlantic Yacht Club and the
New York Yacht Club to decide which
offer would be acceptable to them as
fully agree with you that two trans.
Atlantic races in the same year would
hardly provide satisfactory sport or re-
suits. Your resolve to withdraw your
offer for my sake has deeply touched me
and l hasten to thank you for your
generous intention and accept your
proposal.
II was prompted to offer a cup in the
hopes of encouraging ocean racing with
the view to stimulate designers and
builders into producing a class capable
Of,keeping the open sea easily and COM
bining the seaworthiness with safety
and comfort without sacrificing every
thing to speed. !. e., to develope a sound
type Of cruiser. I believe this class of
yacht would most appeal to those who
love the sea and who do not wish to use
their craft exclusively for racing pur-
poses. With your generous withdrawal
you have magnanimously rendered
your support to make a race for an
Atlantic cup success, thereby serving
the great cause of yacht racing, the
finest sport in the world, the develop
mcnt Of which have so much at heart
Once more. my most sincere thanks.
(Signed) civilian I. r.
What threatened to be an awkward
hitch will thus be avoided.
Sir Thomas in an interview by repre-
sentative of The Associated Press said
1.-The reason I tclegraphed to Emperor
William was that on my arrival al
Queenstown I received a cable message
from the commodore of the Atlantic Yacht
Club stating that Emperor William hat
made an offer That was the first hat
heard of it.
KNOWING the Emperor took such q
great interest in an ocean race and seem
ed to have set his heart on giving cuI
for 1904. could scarcely do less thar
retire and give him the chance he evi
IDENTIFY so keenly desired. a course of &C
ton which am sure all my friends ir
America we'll understand. 1 feel certain
it will be great race. Several British
yachts will enter. l hope to be able to en-
ter a boat myself, but that is not quite
decided If 1 did. nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to sail in her my
self"
George l.. Watson has declined the com
mission of the permanent Clyde yachts
men previously referred to as contem,
plating as challenging for the cup). to de-
sign a cup challenger on the ground tina,
It is hopeless for British or other over
sea challengers to continue to contest fol-
the trophy under the measurement rule
by which challengers have been rated.
AN OCEAN RACE