The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-09-14
SLIGHT PUT UPON UPTON
ROOSEVELT PLACED IN LIGHT
 OF BEING DISCOURTEo US.


 but Later on Learning That British
 Yaehtsman Was to be Present Said He
 wouId Have to DeciIne-FeIt That
 Agreement with Him Was Being
 Violated.
 Oyster Bay. N. r.. Sept. 1S.-An un- pleasant episode, with a phase of inter national interest has been the out growth or dinner to be given next Fri day night. the 18th inst. by the Sea- wanhaka Corinthian Yacht club Through a series of misapprehenslons on the part. seemingly, Of some mem bers of the club, an apparent 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 Seawanhaka 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. President Roosevelt is an active member of the organization as are many of the best known yachts men of the east, and Sir Thoms Lipton holds an honorary membership in the club The day President Roosevelt re- turned from his trip to Syracuse, Col gate Hoyt of New York, chairman of the board Of trustees of the Seawan- haka club, called on him at Sagamore Hill. On behalf of the club he rendered the president an invitation to attend the annual dinner of the organization next Friday night and, at the same time, he extended to him an invitation New York at a dinner to be given by the society some time during the ap- preaching winter.
 With expressions of appreciation of the courtesy shown him by the invita- tions, the president informed MT. Hoyt that he felt obliged to decline them. He had declined many other similar invi- tations and felt, therefore, that it would not be fair to all of his friends to ac- cept those rendered by MT. Hoyt MT. Hoyt was insistent, however, that he should attend the yacht club dinner, and the president after being assured that it was to be purely a 'neighborly 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 outside of the club that it was to be simply a dinner Of the club members. MT. Hoyt readily acquiesced in the presidents sugges- tion
 Subsequently, Secretary Loeb, having learned that Sir Thomas Lipton and members of his party now sojourning in the United States probably would be guests at the dinner, inquired of MT. Ifoyt if they were to be in attendance He told MT. Hoyt that, under the agree rnent made, if there were to be other guests, the president would feel obliged to decline the invitation extended to him. He informed MT. Hoyt that the president was obliged to insist that the dinner be what he was assured it would be purely "a neighborly affair" 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.
 To-day at the club house of the Sea- wanhaka organization on Center Island Secretary Thomas G 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 inst. Being assured that he had not, Secre- tary Stewart then requested Sir Thomas to hold that date open in order that he might attend the Seawanhaka dinner. He pointed 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 residence on the island, discussed the episode frankly. He said that Pres ident Roosevelt was to be the only guest Of honor at the dinner and that there had been no thought of having any other. We would not for minute consider having any other guest of hon. or,n said he. 's,The president and I had 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 invitation that S.r Thomas Lip ton should not be present. "Oh, no," he replied: mot at all. not at all"
 IL was said tonight that President Roosevelt had indicated quite clearly his opinion and regards for Sir Thomas Lipton by inviting him to the White house and subsequently by entertaining him on board the Mayf1ower.
 President Roosevelt. accompanied by his family, attended services this morn- ing at Christ Episcopal church. The re- mainder of the day was passed quietly at Sagamofe H.ll.