The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-18
MEET IS IMPOSSIBLE Of College Athletes Represent ing America and Great
 Britain. x DURING OLYMPIC GAMES Meeting Between Athletes of Harvard, Yale, Cambridge and Ox-
 ford Likely. ]

New York, Feb. 17.-Correspondence Kirby, chairman of the advisory com- mittee of the Intercollegiate Assocla- tion of Amateur Athletes of America, shows that meeting of college ath- letes representing all of America against a similar representation of Great Britain, during the Olympic games in London in July. is impossible. It is intimated, however, that meet ing between the athletes of Harvard and Yale and those of Cambridge and Oxford is likely to occur this sum- mer
 The correspondence includes letters from c. N Jackson, representing OK ford, and J. H. Gray, of Cambridge. and MT. Kirby's reply.
 Writing under date of February I. Messrs. Jackson and Gray say:
 After giving the whole matter in all its bearings their best considerations. these committees have decided that such d competition. however desirable under other circumstances, is under present conditions quite impossible Their decision was influenced by many reasons, among others by the insufflc- lent time now remaining at the dis posal of Oxford and Cambridge under whose direction in conjunction with Lord Desborough, the selection of Brit ish representatives was to be made; by the impossibility of satisfactorily ascer- taining, within such limits, what ath- letes might be best qualified in the diff ferent parts of the British empire to be selected as representatives for their special excellence in special depart ments of track athletics; also by tho danger of congestion of meetings and consequent failure of interest in some cases in July, 1s0S--a month which al- ready has it's own special international gathering at the Olmpic games, be- sides the amateur athletic champion ships, and. may witness the previously suggested recurrence of an old-estab- lished meeting of Oxford and Cam bridge vs. Harvard and Yale. at Queens club.
 We much appreciate the attractive object which you had in view and the sportsmanlike spirit of your proposal. At the same time we cannot see our way to give effect to such a proposal at the present time"
 i Acknowledging the receipt of tho letter of declination. Mir. Kirby re- plied:.
 Tt is noted with pleasure that July, 1908, may witness the previously sug- gested recurrence of the old establish ed meeting of Oxford and Cambridge vs. Harvard and Yale at Queens club; it is regretted that to the athletes from Yale and Harvard there could not be added others, who, being selected by the I. c. A.A. A. A., would necessarily conform to the same high standard of amateurism, scholastic attainment and athletic ability,
 The difficulties attending the selec- ton of the teams and the arrange ments of the meet would, of course, be great; 1t is regretted that to you they seem insuperable.
 For the friendly spirit with which the proposition has been received. and the time and attention you have given to it, permit me to tender to you and to your association, on behalf of the I. C. A. A. A. A., its appreciation, and also to express the sincere hope that, with your support and cooperation. an athletic meet, such as has been suggested, may be held within the near future, either in England or in the United States"