Evening star., 1908-01-26
By Edward r. Bushnell.

"A great deal of criticism has been
made of the methods for thu selection of
this crew. but we are eudea, nring to get
together the strongest isi this ccun-
try contains, because ! fec. ST., that such
crew can win this regatta. 7 he require
ment that all American rowing entries
must reach England the first of June
need not scare the American oarsmen.
We have taken up with the English au-
therities the matter of having these dates
| extended. and think we shall succeed.
see no reason why the entries should not
be held open until July l. or even later"
| This authoritative statement from Mr..
| Sullivan will he most welcome news for
| the college oarsmen who had good reason
| for feeling that they had been diScrim-
mated against in the plans for the selec-
tion of this crew. But If the committee
makes good it's promise to arrange for a
meeting between the crew of It's selection
and any other eight that wishes to be a
candidate for Olympic honors and like>
wise extends the date for receiving en-
tries the collegians will no longer have
just cause for complaint.
Must Send Entries in Early.
| In order that they may become candi-
dates for the regatta the colleges will
have to be prepared to send in their en-
tries at an early date in case the time
| limit is not extended. In any event the
Americans will be handicapped because
their standard race is four miles. and the
| length of the Olympic course is the Hen
ley standard of a mile and five-siXteenths.
1t is easily seen therefore, that il is ask
ing a great deal of college crew to train
for two races in which the contrast as to
distance is SO great. 1t is very much like
asking track athlete to be a good
sprinter and distance runner at the same
time.
There is no doubt that a good many
college crews will take advantage of the
change in conditions, and become active
candidates for the honor of representing
this country. In case the stewards refuse
to allow an extension of time for entries
there is no doubt that several universities
will enter their eights anyhow. and then
take their chances in the final try-out
with the crew which is picked by Pilking-
ton and Curtiss
There many good college oarsmen
who think that a college crew can beat
any eight picked from clubs here and
there. as the rowing committee intends to
pick this crew. There are two sides 10
the question. Mr.. Pilkington contends
that he can select eight men from the
different rowing clubs of the country, and
after training them together for month
or so, can beat any other eight men in
the country. In opposition to this view 1t
is pointed out that the collegans. by vir-
tue of having rowed together Sc long.
are able to get out the faster eight. 1t Is
further contended that the club oarsmen
have been taught too great a variety .o1
strokes to permit of their being welded
period as this The college men would
have an immense advantage in this re-
spect but the only way to settle the
matter definitely would be to have a try
out some time in June
Record Breaking American Regatta.
The American intercollegiate rowing
season will be formally opened May %
with the holding Of the sixth annual re-
gatta of the American Rowing Associa-
ton on the Schuylkill river. Although the
stewards have made no effort whatever
to secure entries they are already assured
of a splendid list far exceeding that OF
a year ago. which was the record to that
date What will particularly distinguish
this regatta is the fact that the collegiate
crews will far outnumber the clubs.
The University OF Pennsylvania has al
ready promised four crews, While both
Harvard and Yale will send two eights
each Harvard has been sending two
crews for the last three years and the
double victory OF the Yale Juniors year
ago has inspired the Ellis to send their
freshman crew this year with the juniors.
In addition, Georgetown will send up her
junior crew and possibly freshman eight.
Columbia, unable to get races with either
Harvard or Yale. will develop crew
for this event for the first time in years.
III
and Syracuse will send down junior crews.
Steps are likewise being taken to Sc
cure the entry of Princeton, and the
chances are that the Tigers will launch
their first racing shell on the Schuylkill.
If the universities of Great Britain ac-
cept the challenge for an international
dual meet with the American colleges,
which sent them formal challenge
week ago. it will be a great surprise to
those who are conversant with the attn
letic situation in England. 1t may be
stated without qualification that the Eng
Iish are not accustomed to accepting chal-
lenges for athletic meets in which they
know in advance they can expect nothng
but defeat 1t Is not intended to dispar-
pe English craftsmanship. but the facts
speak for themselves.
In such a meet as this the United States
would have an overwhelming advantage
Indeed the Engishmen would be eX-
tremelv fortunate to win anything outside
Of an event or two in the distance runs
In explanation of this statement IL should
be borne in mind that while In this coun-
try the college men are the backbone of
our athletic body the reverse is true in
Great Britain There the club athletes
dominate everything. and 1t is most un-
usual for the English university men to
score a victory in the English A. A. cham
pionshirs. Furthermore, while the col
legians hold a majority of the American
records-and world marks. too. for that
matter-the club men hold the records on
the other side.
Britons Up Against 1t.
The English collegians realize all this
and will hardly be In hurry to enter a
meet in which they know they must suf-
fer defeat. The Englshmen know only
too well that they can expect little as