The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-14
NO SNUB TO Upton
But Misunderstanding Gives I'm
preston That the President Has
Sighted Irish Baronet.
Executive Refuses to Attend Yacht
Club Dinner if Other Guests
y Are Present.

Oyster Bay. N. Y. Sept. 14-An UNI
pleasant episode, with phase Of interna-
tional interest, has been the outgrowth Of
a dinner to be given next Friday night by
the SeaWanhaka Corinthian Yacht club.
Thru series of misrepresentation on
the part, seemingly, of some members Of
the club, an apparent slight has been put
upon Sir Thomas Upton, and President
Roosevelt has been placed in the attitude
OF being discourteous to the British
yachtsman.
The Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht club
has a spacious and beautiful home on Cen
ter Island, in oyster Bay. 1t is one Of
the most prominent yacht clubs of the
country, being scarcely second in import
ance to the New York Yacht club. Presi-
dent Roosevelt Is an active member Of the
organization, are many Of the best
known yachtsmen Of the east, and Sir
Thomas Upton holds an honorary mem
bership In the club. The day President
Roosevelt returned from his trip to SYRIA
cuse, Colgate .Hoyt Of New York, chair
man Of the board Of trustees Of the Sea-
wanhaka club called on him at Saga
more Hill. On behalf Of the club he ten
dered the president an invitation to at
tend the annual dinner Of the organization
next Friday night. and at the same time
he extended to him an invitation to be a
guest Of the Ohio Society Of New York
at dinner to be given to the society
some time during the approa ching winter.
With expressions Of appreciation Of the
courtesy shown him by the invitations.
the president informed Mr.. Hoyt that he
felt obliged to decline them. He had de-
clined many similar invitations, and felt.
therefore, that 1t would not be fair to all
Of his friends to accept those rendered by
Mr.. Hoyt.
Mr.. Hoyt was insistent however that
the should attend the yacht club dinner
nd fba aSi6 ant oft hain hot
1t purely "neighborly affair." con-
scented to be present for short time. He
expressly stipulated that 1t was not to
be a formal function to be attended by
guests outside the club, and that 1t was
to be simply dinner Of the club members
Mr.. Hoyt readily acquiesced In the presi-'
dents suggestion. 49, Va
Subsequently, Secretary Loeb, having
learned that Sir Thomas Upton and mem
bers Of his party, now sojourning in the
United States, probably would be guests
at the dinner inquired Of Mr.. Hoyt If they
were to be In attendance. He told Mr..
Hoyt that under the agreement made, if
there were to be other guests the president
would feel obliged to decline the invita-
ton extended to him.. He informed Mr.
Hoyt that the president was obliged to
Insist that the dinner be what he was as
sured 1t would be, purely a neighborly
affair"
Last Friday Secretary Loeb received a
letter from Mr., Efoyt assuring him that
the dinner would be conducted in accord
ance with the presidents desires
Yesterday at the clubhouse OF the Sea-
wanhaka organization on Center island
Secretary Francis q. Stewart of New
York, felt inclined to assume part of
the blame for the unpleasantness which
had developed. He said that at the New
York Yacht club a few nights ago he had
asked Sir Thomas Upton If he had an
4. ID -,
sured that he had not, Secretary Stewart
then requested Sir Thomas to hold that
date open. in roder that he might attend
the Seawanhaka dinner. He pointed out
that a rule OF the club permitted a mem
Der Of the organization to invite one
guest to attend the club dinner. His In
vitation to Sir Thomas was extended as
q member and not on behalf of the club
Mr.. Hoyt, who was at his residence on
the island, frankly discussed the episode.
He said that President Roosevelt was to
be the only guest of honor at the dinner
and that there had been no thought Of
having any other.
Mr.. Hoyt was asked II SECRETARY Loeb
had presented as one Of the conditions
of the presidents acceptance Of the clubs
invitation that Sir Thomas Upton should
not be present
"Oh. no." he replied; mot at all; not
at ALL"
It was said that President Roosevelt
had indicated quite clearly his opinion
and regard for Sir Thomas Upton by in
viting him to the White House and sub
sequently by entertaining him on board
the cruiser Mayfower. .. ...
Sir Thomas Not invited.
Utica, N. J.. Sept 14.-After spending
two days at Camp Kill In the Adiron-
dacks as the guest of Timothy L. Wood
d ruff, Sir Thomas Upton arrived in Utica
last night, so i'll that his contemple ted
journey to Chicago has been temporarily
suspended
Upon the arrival of the train a CORE
rpondent stepped aboard to interview the
yatchsman on the alleged snub reported
to have been dealt him by President
Roosevelt In requesting the revocation
of the invitation extended to Sir Thomas
and the Earl and Countess of Shaftes-
bury to banquet with Seawanhaka Cor
fnthians. The Illness of Sir Thomas pre-
vented personal talk, but his private
secretary. John Westwood, consulted
the baronet, and then said:
II am authorized to say that if the Sea-
wanhaka club has extended invitations to
Sir Thomas and earl and countess to at
tend the banquet mentioned none Of the
trio has received the invitations I am
sure that any one Of the trio would have
felt honored by such an invitation, and
yet I know that Sir Thomas would not
have caused the president the anticipated
anxiety, should this report be true, for
he expects to be in Chicago on Sept. 18.
the date mentioned. President Roose-
welt has always exhibited a cordial friend
Illness toward him and Sir Thomas saws
he really cannot see why he should take
such stand. In fact Sir Thomas re-
fuses to believe that the presidapt h