The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-08
vEsPERs, STIR UP TROUBLE.
English Oarsuaen Take Sides IN Discussing
Henley Defnltien.
Special Gable Dsspdteh TO TIE sun.

Special Gable Dtspdteh 10 The sun.
LONDON. July THE Immediate effect OF
the publication OF the result Of the inquiry
OF the National Association Of Amateur Oars
men OF the United, States into the status OF
the yesper crew OF Philadelphia that rowed
at Henley In 1905 has been the notice Of W.
A. J.. Fletcher TO move at the next meeting
of the Henley stewards that In future no en-
tries shall be accepted from the United States.
Whether such a motion 10 passed or not its
proposal and discussion cannot but result
In an amount of III feeling. much to be re-
GREETED In the interest Of this sport. .
That the Henley stewards have q genulne
grievance In the case OF the vespers probably
few rowing men would deny. It Is already
being aired In the public press, and only good
sense on the part Of the controversialists
on either side can prevent the discussion from
becoming an unseemly wranRle.
Two articles published to-day dealing with
the question will probably be widely dis
cussed In rowing circles here. and the
line taken by the Saturday Reriep may easily
he pressed. The Rsriep roundly declares
that gross fraud was perDetrated by the
Vespers. sufficient for the conviction that
"Fletcher's somewhat drastic motion IL abso-
lutely justified" II maintains that the Ma
tional Association of Amateur Oarsmen's
sentence merely OF suspension for a year on
several members OF the Vesper crew con
firms the worst suspicion we have entertained
as to American amateurism." The Saturday
Rerieu concludes by expressing the hope that
the stewards will pass Mr.. Fletcher's motion
or at any rate intimate that nc entries from
the United States will be received until
American oarsmen have set their house In
order and started a governing body that we
can trust will not deceive U.s." The Rertep
continues: " suppose that there are some
real amateurs In America. Let them cut
themselves absolutely adrift from their
semi professional friends. Henley was meant
for gentlemen"
In contrast to this consplcuously wronghead-
ed manner OF dealing. with the question the
Outlook approached u In a more sane fashion;
i remi ind us that Oxford and Leander no. row ed
present definition Of ar amateur, which was
passed In 1879, was for many years hotly dis
chanies. artisans and laborers, which must be
democratic feeling, The ostiook says;
to this insular rule, On the other hand. II is
unfair TO Engllsh clubs to be Handicapped by
special disaualifcations which do not affect
possible way out Of the dlfaeuity. There is
an old prohibition against lndicting a nation.
dis ans r.!et shins to discover II owe tie Outlook
says, but good amateurs are as keen and exc
as plenty in the United States as in England.
The golfnR association has amateur de1ni-
tions %stricter than any In England:
The Outlook maintains that the Grand Chal-
lenge Cup race has been spoiled since 1889
was formerly an equal chance for the diff
ferent colleges and the Thames Rowing CLUB,
but the challenge Of foreign crews naturally
induced Learder to row a quasi national crew.
1t suggests, therefore. a compromise by, which
the Grand Challenge Cup race shall be re-
stricted to British crews, but e~ndowing a
each nation shall be allowed to enter. II
proposes that there shall be no regulations
L. --- 81 $40 IN nrNfanatnnnl
row ers are such'a small class that little harm
could result.