New-York tribune., 1909-07-26

ties for the Davis Cup in this country have been
cleared away and that the committee has gone SO
far to the dates for the competition With
this settled lawn tennis players can look forward
to rare treat as II can be said on good authority
that England will be represented by her strongest
players, including A. W. Gore, the singles cham
pion Of Great Britain; n J. G.. Richie. the runner
up: Kenneth Powell, of the strongest of the
younger school Of players, and J. c. Parke, who
with Ritchie met defeat in this country last year
in the matches to decide which country should have
the right to challenge Australia for the coveted
trophy.
The Empire City track which is proving
ceptable a meeting place for thoroughbreds. will
be turned over August to the trotters and
Facers for the annual matinee OF the New
York Driving Club. James Butler. president of the
Empire City Racing Association. who has proved a
true friend to the running turf in the time OF its
greatest need, has spot in his heart for the
uotters and was glad 10 help out the New York
Driving Club which last year went down to
Mineola and vowed never TO go again. It seems a
pity that lovers of light harness racing in the
metropolitan district go far aheld as a rule
to enjoy their sport In view of this the meeting
the Empire City track should prove popular
Striking proof was furnished last week at Iarcf-
mont Of the extraordinary and growing interest in
the sport of yachting and this without the stimulus
In recent years Of q race for the Americas Cup.
No less than ia boats in one of the series
races Of the Larchmont regatta last week num-
Der which stands as record in this country. Eng
lana takes her yachting far seriously than is
the case in this country there no reason ap-
parently for the amateur shippers here to worry
as the sport is IN strong and healthy condition
The Importance which is attached TO yachting in
England is well illustrated by the following extract
from The London Field" Ct July To-
Although it is frequently said that most snorts
ana paStlnes have = beneficial influence upon the
h'alth and strength Of the peoples Of a nation few
SLell d ulfect erect upon the specific charaC-
tsrlStics necessary TO the young manhood of A
purely maritime nation as yacht racing. There is
40 PuFtT or more healthy pastime than yacht and
boat sailing, and particularly competitive sailing
"a "illch tie greatest skill and nerve and complete
Httess OF body and mind are required Seaman
ship Is indeed put 20 the highest test AS island
&c - "US1 It seem onIy naiuTal-Ye might say nee
rl 1SlIS @ tLltl we should continue to be, al
Ways have been. the premier yachting nation of
Europe Tor the simple reason that we are a pure
y Hs1Illiine nation Maritime sport should be al
lul3t0 Z niBn place among our national pastimes in
J,s .I-4,o,-, t-ie Jung men VINO viii form the
b4chooHe OF our national defence Were we sur
ana had We, like other countries TO rely chiefly
upon land defences. we might afford to ignore the
ana as pastme. Onr only frontier however is
lle sea. ana we have 10 a mighty navy 10
men should be sailors. There may be various sys-
TENS q persuading able bodied youths TO attain
some knowledge Of the sea or to become sailors
but one system Of inducement is perfectly certain
Acter' and that Is the encouragement Of yachting
Word comes from abroad that the names of tho
American players who won the American polo cup
IN the recent international matches are now in
cluded on the form list" which is considered
about the highest polo honor in England. In COM
menting on this Hyme the English critic says:
Long before the decision OF the international
match II became apparent that the visitors both
collectively and individually. worthy Of this
honor, and the defeat they administered to the
pick Of the English players in both matches fully
justified the authorities in bestowlng this mark of
distinction SO Justly earned. The visit Of the
Americans has opened I'D a new vista IN polo pros
poets. and Ne are likely TO in the future
several Of the best known teams improve their
tactics h. taking q Leaf out OF the American book.
Three things have become apparent. the
conspicuous being the loose order adopted by the
visitors which previously has in this country been
considered undesirable and described as scranb-
ling. The Americans have. however. taught us
close inh-hting upon which experts have hitherto
pinned their faith. The OF the cigar headed
stick, too. in their hands did much execution. and
IS much sitter .u the shaft than those gen
elaly used 81 England. and the fact that with this
mallet they could place the ball with the greatest
accuracy AZ almost any angla IS sure 20 cause
trial T. be given 20 the pattern. But. Of course.
" on the stick Itself.
Speaking os polo the appearance Of three of
the members Of the American team in the cham
pionshlp ar Narragarsett Pier and in the tourne-
ment At Saratoga should arouse a lively interest
f. the sport. HERBERT.