The sun., 1909-06-06
A CHANCE FOR HARVARD.
Get On . Race with Cambridge, English
Rowing han suSEests.

J.F. r., q writer on aquatics In England
has sent TO the Boston Globe letter about
the refusal Of the Oxford varsity eight to
row against Harvard. He makes the sug-
| sestIon that II Oxford Is unwilling Har-
ward might be able 10 get on match with
/ Cambrdee FOR the autumn. which he says
the Englsh,people would watch with great
deal OF Interest. In part the letter Is;
III the question has not been asked In
some countries where English Ia spoken. or
even In England itself among rowing men,
1t surely will be soon: why has one OF the
| English varsties not accepted the chal-
lense OF Harvard University OF America to
On eight Dared race on the Thames this
year.
| Surely there can be no quest ion OF the
amateur status of Harvard. As far back
as 1886 Oxford rowed Harvard O four Dared
race on the Thames, which eaudlled. In
interest at leAst. any International race
witnessed, while no further back than 1000
Harvard added to its honorable prestige
by rowing Cambridge historic aquatic
struggle.
There have been races OF an interna-
ttonal character which have called forth
comment Of an adverse character on the
cont testants, but none OF these were directed
against the crews OF the leading American
|
lese oarsmen felt that they were not asking
any favor, but rather to the contrary, by
offering to try to contribute to the gayety
Of nations, and that OF the English nation
in particular. by voyagine to England
| to row hard race on the chance OF winning
the empty honor OF success.
Their defeat OF their great national
rivals. Yale, last year had inspired this
confidence and whether they win or lose
against Yale in their great intervarsity y
struggle this summer, Harvard had enough
confidence to challenge the winner OF the
Oxford and Cambridge before the en-
counter. and Is naturally disappointed
at being refused.
| II romld have been an insult for Oxford
to have agreed to row the Belgians and
refused Harvard. because in a case of this
mnst soa. 'es esrry Seeh IN
in age, whereas some Of the Belgians are
seasoned veterans. who, like old wine. have
But this by the way. Pres Kirby ol
the oxford crew, and a, fair proport ion
Of his comrades have gallaan.,Sy won thsil
| thou sh they have refused the gage Of the
Americans without any public excuse
nSi0 hsa hs nrS nrovuee to
nothing more.
Bst + HaIysTd Is Is s1tn spG1tns fer match ,od
| the brltlsn pNDUC IL quite Wullnx 10 lOOH
| on and enjoy it, Cambridge is the only
England. but 1t is difficult TO. say, whether
sS' bs Ss. %csa o s!Sss al n onas Thsh Fhss Tss
Trinity Hall man is devotinR himself 10 hard
study. and Cambridge without stuart would
be IKE Hamlet. without the Ghost ant not
But Cambridge, with Stuart and all the
crew at and we'll. would have probably
beate oxford twice out Of three times last
| March. The main cause OF the ii ieht Blue
defeat was partly slight staeness, but there
| were Contributory causes just before and
during the struggle which in my humble
opinion. turned the tide OF victory into de-
| feat.
THE chaliengers. Oxford. went to their
| al artnH boat first. and were lying quietly
there when Cambridge padded down to the
starting point: the latter. afte almost col
liding with the boat which had put of 10
take their sweaters. came near running into
their starting boat with their bow side oars.
Both these Incidents caused some com
motion which would jar on the nerves OF
some at least OF the new chums.' and the
and although on the best station, Cambria ge
did not gain any subsi antial lead in the
first half mile. as stuart had usually done in
previous races
Then the Light Blues were badly steered
Still the crew fought out the issue nearly
10 Barnes, which was not such bad per
formance aft er all So was easily possible
| for the result to have been turned.
At any rate should expect TO see Cam.
| bridge give Harvard big race, IL they did
| not win. in an autumn meeting.