New-York tribune., 1908-01-18
SEEK H0N0RS ABROAD.
BIG MEET IN PROSPECT
College 4thletes Here Challenge
British Universities.

.ng between the universities Of this country and
Great Britain which in point of interest will
rival the Olympic games may be held in Eng
land this year At meeting Of the executive
committee or the intercollegiate Association of
Amateur Athletes Of America ar the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel last night a formal challenge was
issued 70 the universities and colleges Of the
British Empire on behalf Of an the universities
and colleges Of the United States for set of
games 10 be held during the Olympia at London.
This action was taken after long discussion,
in which representatives Of Yale. Harvard.
Princeton. Cornell and the University Of Penn
syivenia- among others took part. Gustavus 7.
Kirby. of Columbia, chairman OF the advisory
committee. addressed a letter on December 10
Lord Desborouga, chairman Of the British Olyn1-
pic Council. suggesting this meeting. and it
forwarded 10 the Oxford and Cambridge Ath-
letic clubs The answers received were nom
Committal. but of q kind TO lead the executive
committee of the Intercollegiate Association here
20 bring the matter TO a head by direct cfal
ienge- This action taken in the form Of a
resolution, follows:
Resolved, That 2 copy OF the letter OF Gustavus
7. Kirby. chairman of the advisory committee, TO
the Right Hon Lord Desborough. Of Tapio"'
c Y O.. chairman Of the British Olympic Com
rrttee Of the Olympic Games Of London ISs. be
fled with the records Of the association. and that
the Of Mr- Kirby in sending such con1r1unica-
ton be approved: and further, and TO the END
that the athletes students in the universities
and colleges situated in the British Empire may
friendly competition against the athletes
now students in universities and colleges Stu
ated in the United States Of America. and may
90 time when the athletes Of the world Will
be gathered together the metropolis thereof for
competition end recreation. be *
Resolved That this association issue, and by this
resolution does issue. challenge TO the universi-
ties and colleges OF the British Empire 10 COM
pete against the universities and colleges of the
United States Of America, under and in accord
ance with the suggestions set forth in Mr.. kirby's
communication. and be il further
Resolved. That the Right Hon Lord Desboroug1.
c. N Jackson, honorary treasurer Of the Oxford
University Athletic Club. and the Rev. J. H. Gray,
honorary treasurer Of the Cambridge University
Athletic CLUB. respectfully and earnestly re-
uested 10 receive this challenge on behalf Of the
universities and colleges Of the British Empire and
10 present the same 70 the proper authorities for
action thereon.
Mr. Kirby's letter TO Lord Desborough. under
Gate Of December :. 1907. follows:
As member of the executive committee Of the
American committee for the Olympic games. and
particularly Chairman OF the advisory
committee Of the intercollegiate Association Of ANA
teur Athletes Of America, the thought has come 10
that ii might be possible for the Intercollegiate
Association send England athletic team
some Of the members Of which would undoubtedly
be selected by the American committee as repre-
ead al cf which could compete On an American
-coIese- team against from the universities
and colleges Of the countries over which the King
Of England has dominion
AS yoa are aware. for the last few years dual
meets have been held between oxford and Cam
bridge On the one hand and Yale and Harvard on
the other: and Il stated by representatives
of Oxford and Cambridge that competition be
tween their universities and the colleges OF the
Intercollegiate Association would be unfair for the
fr,1fr he mir ina
universities and colleges this country. This
cIuson of Oxford and Cambridge is not at all in
accordance with views OF representative university
-,en o. America for the thar while Oxford
and Cambridge each is university the component
parts of each consist Of many colleges. schools or
cepe-1rents some Of which have larger enrol
rse-t of students than many Of the American col
Ieges-
Ire result OF the dual meets heretofore referred
70 would indicate. however. that contest between
C~ro-5 zr5 Cambridge and Yale and Harvard is
more apt 10 bring forth q better chance for sue
cess q the English universities than II the COM
petition would against the colleges Of the inter
collegiate association and it is for this reason that
: an suggesting that not only Oxford and Cam
bri5Ee participate against the colleges Of America,
hu- that there added thereto athletes from such
Euch other universities OF colleges in the United
Kingdom erc Is representatives Oxford and
Cambridge would consider proper 20 add 10 thelr
teams A. the same time the intercollegiate as
soc-s-ion should have the privilege Of adding 20
from the OF its association athletes
from universities colleges not member OF
es association. Il in the opinion OF the intercol-
legls-e association such university or college ana
saSa representative were Up 10 the standards Of the
cs9oca-io- and worthy represent America and
--ar association The meet could be held within
che week following the Olympic games. and could
b under the Jurisdiction Of committee appointed
" rhe associations Of Oxford and Cambridge and
BY the Intercollegiate association Of this country
To the end thar YOU may have before you the
necessary qualifications for membership in the in
1ercoIlegiare association, inclose copy OF us
Constitution bylaws and rules Of athletics
z Ih-s matter 7 an writing entirely unofhciaIly
and without even consultation with my associates
n -he intercollegiate association What am really
enceavo--nE 70 secure is an expression OF oplnIoA
~ you and Z possible by those who would be IN
position make this meet possible Il il were
thought advisable 70 hold the same
Ire annual meeting OF the intercollegiate Asso-
Cie-lor Is 70 be held on February g 1905, but me
natter would properly come before the executive
committee thereof At meeting 10 be held on Jan
Uary Z. 1903 I would therefore appreciate IL very
InuIh z 7 could have word from YOU or those
O. your associates TO whom the matter might ne
referred 10 the end that might present the same
r. ny association not later than the middle OF
January.
IN writing YOU ar length do il is not with
o-I an appreciation OF the time and trouble ~hicti
consideration Of the subject will give you ouI
vnder al the circumstances am confident thaI
YOU interest N sport and IN all which directly or
Indirectly would have do with the Oiyfnplc
games VIII cause you feel that it is not imposing
500 much upon your generosity and good nature
Tie following replies wers received by MI.
kirby
~ r,sa- ST. an writing line say that
have had copies made Of your letter which nave
sent % the honora hIe treasurers of the OXFORD ana