New-York tribune., 1906-12-24
INTERNATIONAL ROWING.

There is a wide difference OF opinion in this
country on the action Of the stewards OF the
Henley Regatta a few davs ago. in passing a
resolution which provides that no entries shall
be accepted Of any crew or scuIler out OF the
United Kingdom belonging 10 club not affll-
lated 10 a union or federation having an agree
Tnent with the COMMITTEES in charge OF the man.
agement Of the Henley Regatta. Some rowing
men profess 10 feel affronted and insist that the
action Of the English authorities was unwar-
ranted and a reflection on the oarsmen in this
country. Others. who are perhaps better in
formed. were IN way exercised over the
ruling and have expressed the belief that il was
not done TO bar American oarsmen. but TO pre-
vent a recurrence OF the unfortunate Vesper
crew hasco. which placed certain stigma on
rowing methods here. and TO preserve at any
cost the high standard Of the regatta. which
means so much 10 English rowing men Those
who are not disposed to be charitable have little
ground for their feelings. There seems TO have
been more or less suspicion I'm Great Britain
for many years Of the amateur standing OF
American oarsmen. but il must be admitted in
al fairness that there was some reason for the
attitude
There have been cases OF unnecessary ouib-
bling. and the Henley stewards have not always
Bcted fairly, perhaps IN an effort 20 be on the
safe side. but II is beyond the question TO even
suggest. as some do, that fear Of defeat wes the
keynote Of what appeared 10 be unnecessary
structures in the Interpretation Of the rules
4 case in point was the refusing Of the entry
OF Fred Titus at the last minute a few years
ego aIteF ne had been lauded by the English
critics for his fairness and craftsmanship when
ne hrst rOWed for the Diamond SOULS
The Nesper crew incident led up 10 the pres
ent drastic step, and IN view Of that American
oarsmen should ACCEPT the rebuke in good
PIT an, ana take steps 10 establish relations that
VIII lead 10 a wider participation than ever be-
fore II is true that the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsnen inflicted severe punishnent
on me members OF the Nesper Boat Club crew
ana lils was evidence OF its purity Of purpose
IN making the entry and guaranteeing the stand
ing or the eight The damage had been done
however. and While the American body took a
praisworthy stand and did it's best TO right the
wrong and prevent its recurrence, II could
hardly be expected that the Henley stewards
would let the incident pass. and their ruling was
not as drastic as might appear AT first glance
James Puklngton. president of the National As
EoGat1on OF Amateur Oarsmen in commenting
on the subject. said. IN part:
The fact that the Henley stewards insist upon
an agreement with the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsmen is perfectly proper As g.
rowing body they have the right 10 make their
own rules. and IL IS the duty. in my estimation
OF every amateur oarsnan who desires To COM
pete 20 accept them. If English oarsmen came
over here 10 compete they would do so under our
rules. and Il is only Just that the rule should
work both ways Possibly one OF the reasons
1or the Henley stewards and the National Asso
citation Of Amateur Oarsrnen not understanding
each other better is the fact that there have
been 50 few contests between the two associa-
tfons."
The new ruling viii be considered at the an
nual meeting OF the American body and steps
VIII be taken for closer affiliaton with the gov
erTling organization abroad. A signed agreement
may take the place of the present oral agree
Inent. II the Henley stewards show a DISPOSE
ton 70 meet half way the incident may make
FOR good and lead TO a better understanding and
the surer Development Of the sport. An agree
Tnent be made which would conserve the
dignity and purity OF American rowing without
sacrificing the traditions OF the sport.