The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1909-06-11
DAVIS TENNIS CUP
Preliminary Matches May Be
Played In England In July.
AMERICA IN A OUANDARY.

With Wright and Alexander Out of u,
This Country Will Have Difficulty In
Securing Team-Larned Will Not Go
60 Australia.
Whatever may be the sectional and
individual opinion upon lawn tennis
affairs-the observance Of the service
rule. the seeding draw. the proper sys-
tenn for ratings and the whole troop
Of kindred causes for controversy
there is one ground upon which the
American players meet with unanimity
of opinion, in expressing belief that the
Davis international challenge cup shall
be annually sought until returned TO
this country. That there are grave
difficulties to be met is realized. this
all the more as Beals @. Wright and
Frederick B. Alexander have expert
enced the effects of Australian sum-
mer heat late In November and both
have made plain the arduous task that
confronts any American team which
seeks the famous blue ribbon Of the
lawn tennis courts upon the down
under" side Of the globe.
This year the quest Of the cup as
sumes several peculiar features. These
are being discussed at this time upon
both sides OF the Atlantic ocean, for
again the Americans and the English.
the two great lawn tennis playing ma
lions Of the earth, are the only chal-
lengers. France. Germany. Belgium,
all former challenging nations. declare
that Australia is too far from the
beaten track for them to send teams
upon what, from relative form, ap-
pears a hopeless quest.
Yet Germany is rapidly developing
several men OF the top class and sure
ly must be reckOne6 with as a most
formidable antagonist in a few years.
1t Is this development abroad. known
full well to the lawn tennis officials,
which has stirred them-this and the
insistence Of the English Lawn Tennis
association that the preliminary tie
matches for the international trophy
be decided upon the historic courts at
Wimbledon, near London, this year.
1t is the wish of the Englishmen to
play the international ties Immediately
following the All England champion
ships on the courts at Wimbledon. and
this meeting begins Monday, June 81.
Should the Americans accede to this
proposition 1t would mean the hasty
arranging Of a team, for the matches
would be played about July 1. AS an
American team is a long way from
being picked-for such a team would
necessarily have to sail In a few
weeks-it Is evident that the American
officials do not look with favor upon
an invasion Of the English courts. The
chief difficulty which confronts the
American officials is that the season
here is late, having just begun. while
that in England is in full swing.
In this country 1t is the time Of much
In and out form, and because Of the
unusual weather only a few Of the
topmost flight have done anything
more than engage in an exhibition
match or two at the formal opening OF
various courts. To add to the dis.
tressing situation the two men Of last
years team, Beals G. Wright and Fred
erick B. Alexander, have both early
and firmly declared their retirement
Naturally attention turns to the ''Old
brigade"-William A. Larned, the nes
tor Of the American courts; William j
Clothier, a former national champion
Malcolm ID. Whitman, in his day the
invincible player Of the courts; Dwight
F. Davis, a returning veteran, and
Karl II. Behr, who sought a season
Of rest last year when at the height
of his game. Then the names of Rich
ard Fl. Palmer. Robert lie Roy and
Wallace +. Johnson have been men
toned as possible second strings fol
the American team and also for the
effect which their selection would have
in inspiring some OF the younger mel
to make places Of prominence for them
selves by tournament play.
In making their argument for a visl
from the Americans the English take
a strong position in that last year Eng
land sent NJ. ]. G.. Richie and John G
Parke TO this country for the inter
national ties.