Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-30
DEADLOCK OVER
ARMY-NAVY GAME

pears to be strong possibility that the
Navy and Army will not meet on the
gridiron this year for their annual game,
which is one of the features of each foot
ball season. The Army has thrown down
the gauntlet by demanding that the game
be played one week earlier than is Gus
tomary. or on November D. 1t has de-
livered this ultimatum to the Navy: IF
You do not consent to the earlier date
we will not meet you on the gridiron
this year"
The Navy picked up the gauntlet with
out overmuch hesitation and has delivered
this ultimatum to the Army: IF you will
not meet US at the usual time you will
not meet us at ALL" Nevertheless the
midshipmen to a man are hoping that
the game will be played, for they fondly
believe that 1t would result in another
Navy victory.
Several weeks ago the manager of the
Army foot ball team wrote to Midshipman
Welsheimer manager of the Navy eleven,
asking II the Navy would consent to play
the game the Saturday preceding Thanks
giving this year instead of the Saturday
succeeding Thanksgiving day.
He gave as his reason for this request
the statement that the weather in West
Point was so bad during the latter part
of November that it seriously interferred
with the practice of the Army team,
whereas Annapolis, being farther south,
did not have to contend with such climatic
difficulties.
After some consideration the Navy Attn
letic Association decided not to accede
to this request. taking the position that
the Army's argument for putting the
game forward one week was not of suf-
Arfn n11< oS-
governing the foot ball situation at both
academies were taken into consideration.
Manager Welsheimer wrote the Army
manager refusing the request and say
ing that the Navy would insist on the
game being played at the usual time or,
this year. on Saturday. November 20.
Mdshipman Welsheimer, In his letter.
called West Points attention to the fact
that the three senior classes at Annapolis
were on leave throughout the entire month
of September. and for this reason the
Navy could not begin regular practice
until October 1. although some Of the
foot ball men give up half of their annual
leave and return to the academy about
the middle of the month for practice:
that, on the other hand the West Point
ers return from their furlough September
l. and thus are able to and do start regu-
lar practice at that time, giving them
a full two weeks start on the Navy.
Welsheimer added that it would be
obviously unfair" to ask the Navy to
meet the Army a week earlier than GUS
tomarily, and that there was no precedent
for such a request.
The Army manager promptly replied
that the Army foot ball candidates would
agree not to begin practice until, the mid
die Of September II the, Navy would con-
sent to play the annual game Novem-
Der 90. Midshipman Welsheimer replied
that the Navy would refuse to consent to
the change of date.
Again the Army manager wrote to
Welsheimer. insisting upon the earlier
date and intimating in no uncertain tone
that unless the Navy yielded the point
the Army would refuse to meet her on
the gridiron this year.
That is the situation az it stands at
present. The sentiment at Annapolis is
entirely against yielding to the Army's
request. which the Midshipmen regard as
unreasonable. The Army seems equally
determined to have its way, and there are
no indications to point toward breaking
the deadlock in the near future.
Navy officers here hope that the mat
| ter will be adjusted and the game played
as usual. If there are no new develop
ments within the next month or two and
| the prospects Of the annual service grid
iron battle being fought this year do not
grow brighter, it is practically certain
| that army and navy officers will take a
hand and bring pressure to bear upon the
| cadets and midshipmen to force them to
| At present the officers are inclined to let
the embryonic admirals and generals
| handle the matter themselves without in
| reference, hoping that they will be able
| to reach an amicable agreement.
1t haI been rumored here that the
| Armys insistence upon an earlier date is
| merely a preteXt to get out Of meeting
the Navy this year. AS foundation for
| this rumor 1t was pointed out that the
| Navy will have all except two Of last
years winning eleven eligible to play this
year while the Army has lost many Of
| her best men.
The naval officers attached to the acad-
envy and the midshipmen themselves do
not credit this rumor They do not think
1t consistent with the Army ideas Of
craftsmanship.