The Washington times., 1911-12-26
DWIGHT DAVIS CUP
ATTRACTS WORLD

Not only the eyes of the entire tennis
world, but the attention Of all those
Interested in athletics, will be turned to
the other side of the hemisphere this
week, when the famous Dwight Davis
Cup is once more up for competition.
Ranking in international Importance
with the America Cup" in yachting,
and the International Cup in polo, the
Davis Cup is as enviable a possession
as any nation strives for. 1t Is unique
in many respects, No trophy has been
fought for more valiantly, has had more
countries concerned. or has occasioncd
more rivalry and less unplcasantness
than this bowl.
Starting next Saturday, the first of
three days play at Christchurch. New
Zealand. America will tackle the hold
ers of the cup for what looks like the
best chance in years to bring back to
its native heath the coveted silver. 1t
is also the resumption Of play for the
cup since 1909, for last year this coun-
try, after winning the preliminary
series, declined to send the second-rate
players that volunteered to make the
long trip to the Antipodes.
Look Very Formidable.
Headed by the inimitable william A.
Iarned. the team LOOKS q winner, bar
ring unforeseen loss OF form, with
Maurice E. Mclaughlin and Beals c.
Wright tc back up our champion. 1t is
formidable array the .Austrs lians ar,
facing, and advices from that country
show that fear is already manifest in
the outcome Christchurch is not q
large town, but 1t Is ideally situated.
and the populace is mad with excite
ment over ths tourney. Cables tell OF
the enormous crowds that are fiocking
crowding in the hotels and boarding
houses g..
The close observer of TERMS. more
than the casual admirer Of the game,
realizes what the play this yeor means.
lam ". Larned and Beals c. Wright to
desire to bring back tho cup before
these two veterans lay down their
rackets for good. To retire under such
glory is without deSbt the ambition
the help Of Mel .oughlin. the little de.
mon from tine Western coast, bring
back the cup it is not at all improb.
able that thew would announce the
clcse OF their tennis careers and pot VI
to the rising generation the task OF
holding the trophy against all chal'
Advices from Australia intimate tina
sumo the burden of playing the singles
matches against Brookes and Heath, tn,
two leading opponents In Australia 10
day. The doubles will probably fin'
| Wright and Mclaughlin facing Brooke
and Dunlop. Hardly true American
| will concede anything to Australia un
der these conditions, but the home talep
| pins its faith absolutely on Brookes t
| win both Of his matches. although bot
| Wright and Iarned have previousl,
beaten the champion The games to b
played between Brookes and his tw
| adversaries, on paper, at least, promis
greater tennis than has been seen sine
the famous Dohertys were In the prime.
Question As to Signals.
Americans may be somewhat surprises
that Wright will figure In the singles in
stead of Mclaughlin. There will b
those who will not reconcile themselve
| to such a decision. Larned, however
has not definitely determined upon hi
choice, and the young Westerner ma;
still be chosen. Wright is the more ex
perienced of the two and Is particularly
well versed In International tennis, bu
he is not so speedy as Mclaughlin, II tn,
| latter forgets that ne Is playing for
| worlds championship. Whichever plays
there is sure to be a fight, and loca
| admirers of the two men will not b
4 surprised IL America wins every one o
the singles, for Heath is not feared a
! all. and everything vii depend upo
| what Brookes shows. Australia Is un
fortunate in not having A. II. Wilding a
standby once more but the latter un