The Washington herald., 1907-09-27

London, Sept 26.-TO-night Sir Thomas
Upton met Designer Fife. who came spe-
cially from Glasgow. Upon their confer
ence depends whether Sir Thomas viii IS
sue another challenge under the condi-
tIons governing the other cup races. II
Mr.. Fife will take the responsibility Of
designing a freak boat and offer Sir
Thomas some hope Of success. the latter
will challenge. In fact, it is extremely
likely that he will challenge anyway in
order to demonstrate to the American
people that he is sufficient of a sportsman
to have another try. even though in his
heart he believes that under present con-
ditions he has not the slightest chance Of
lifting the cup.
Cannot Hide HIS Chagrin,
1t would be difficult to-day throughout
London to find a more disappointed man
than Sir Thomas Clever artist in dis
stimulation that he is, his feeling Of
chagrin was much too intense to be CON
cealed. and while recltIng IN suave and
polished terms his surprise at the decliua-
tion of his challenge. he would interject
some side remarks that clearly showed
his true feelings. He admitted that the
rejection came Ike q thunderbolt out Of q
clear sky. He said he had every reason
TO believe from his talks with members
of the New York Yacht Club this summer
and from what Mr.. Fife told HIM upon his
return from America that a challenge
-Er,r- a..
type of boat would not only be accepted
but would be welcomed. So confident was
his belief in the acceptance Of his chal-
lenge that designs for two boats We're al
ready under way.
Would Race Under Universal Rule.
Sir Thomas said tonight:
When the cup was first won it was
by healthy. seaworthy type of boat the
America Within ten years boats have
developed into freaks. and for me again
TO challenge would simply impose the
necessity 70 build a more extreme type
% freak than the previous chalIengers.
Designers OF reydte I'm this country seel
that the responsibility is too great 10
design such types, necessitaung in the
very voyage across the Atlantic the risk
Of the lives of the men who navigate
them. - I waited nearly four years,
giving others a chance, thought that
perhaps a challenge under the New York
Yacht Clubs own conditions would prove
acceptable.
While the type Of freak machines
which have already contested for the cup
are no use for other purposes after the
IN.
races under the universal rule would be
educational and scientific from the point
of marine architecture, and would fur
nish models worthy Of copying How
ever. the New York Yacht Club has given
its decision.
One Objection Is Pulling.
Il feel that they know the resp0nsIbui-
ties of their position better than I, and
must abide by their decision. must say
! have never met better set Of sports
men. They have met me in every way
possible and did everything I suggested
until now II would simply delight me to
meet their wishes.
Il must confess that the terms of the
rejection are puzzling. particularly 'the
sixth clause, stating. that I failed TO con-
form with the provisions Of the deed of
gift in not giving the dimensions Of the
challenger 1 felt that the challenger con- /
formed. save perhaps, technically with
the provisions Of the deed of gift I indica-
ted that my challenger was IN the J class
6S-foOt rating. because the next class is
the II, and the wateTline in that class
would he over 81 feet, exceeding the linz
it3tIons of the deed Of gift
LiptOR's Course NOt Decided Upon.
I may say the suggestion to make the
challenger in this class came from sew
eral American yachtsmen Relying upon
that clause in the deed of gift reading:
The club challenging for the cup and the
club holding the same may, by mutual con-
sent, make any arrangements satisfactory
10 both as TO dates. courses number Of
trials. rules. sailing regulations. and any
and all other conditions of the match, IN
which case the ten months notice may be /
waived, / did entertain the hope that the
committee. could. if it desired. accept my
suggestion. which I believed made for
more satisfactory type Of boat and con-
test.
Naturally I do not know al the mo-
ment what I viii do. 7 am prepared TO
challenge with a ninety-footer under the
universal rule-yes- With any size under
that rule. If Mr. Fife is willing TO take
the responsibility and feels that ] have
got a chance I would be only too pleased
TO challenge again under previous condi- |
tiOns, and perhaps il It is felt that
have not got chance, ! viii stop.
will decide what course TO take within a
day or so. I have plenty of time TO send
a fresh challenge"
Vanderbilt Replies TO Upton.
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. when
told Of Sir Thomas Lipton's Willingness
10 challenge with a ninety-footer under /
the New York Yacht Club rules. said:
well. that doesn't bring any change (
IN the situation. That is sti1 insisting I
on the new measurement rule which il /
has been expressly declared in the reso- /
lutions is not suitable for the Americas s I
Cup races. which are for speed You /
know the new rule does not make for /
speed, and that boats built under ii can /
be sailed round and round by what they /
call the freak boats.
IF Sir Thomas Upton viii build a boat
with a ninety-foot water line and without /
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