The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-04
American Amateur
Fencers May axe
rip to England

NEW YORK. Jan. s.-American
amateur fencers have sent q provision
al challenge to English amateurs to
visit this country and compete for an
international trophy similar to the
Westchester polo cup or the Davis cup
in lawn tennis. j. Sanford Saltus.
long patron OF American fencers.
provided the inspiration for this first
OF international fencing competitions.
This Ia the outgrowth OF a. project
he has cherished for several years,
and which was made possible by the
splendid showing OF American foiis-
men In the Olympic championships of
last year. A fund to defray the ex-
penses OF the undertaking and to pro-
vide the trophy has been headed by
Mt. Saltus. and Includes Colonel Rob-
ert VI. Thompson. president Of the New
York Athletic club; A. J. Eddy. Fred
erick Schenck and others.
In outlining the program proposed
for these international competitions,
w. Scott o'Connor, secretary OF the
Amateur Fencers' League OF America,
said yesterday: THE project. which
has been long talked OF. was launched
at the annual dinner of the Fencers'
league. held early In December. 1t Ia
the direct outgrowth of the Olympic
competitions in which close fellowship
was established between the English
and American teams. At that time
The Englishmen stated that If a trophy
was offered 3 team OF four men would
visit this country to compete for 1t
under the usual rules governing the
foil and epee.
such a team would most likely he
selected from among such men as Cap
tain Il. Seligman, Lord Desborough.
Captain A. Hutton, r. Montgomerie.
Sir Cosrno DUFF Gordon and Egerton
Castle. the famous novelist. So far the
plans are In ernbrs Or. Graerns NJ.
Hammond. the presid~ mt Of the league,
and George II. Breed being In cor
responderce with the British associa-
ton as to the details.
"Tt is the intention 20 make this
match with the Engiiahmen the begin
ming Of series of International at
fairs. which will later include the
French and italian amateurs. II is
the idea to have the team of four
fercers visit this country the latter
part of April. immediately following
the national championships, This will
allow or the selection OF the best OF
SAVIOR OF an international champion
ship. will be decided In the grand
ballroom of the Hotel Aston"
while the American fencing team
was In Stockholm, during the Olympic
competitions George II. Breed. the
former national champion, and pr. j.
Il. Gignoux esta biished most cordial
relations with the English fencers The
plan was discussed at length Ivy the
leading men OF both nations, and ar
rarEements have gone forward quietly
ever since then. Those who have spent
considerable time In arranging the de-
tails state that, without regard az to
how the trophy may be won, tt VIII
probably be offered under conditions
which will bring about competitions for
II I'm this city and in London on al
fernatine years
The French. italian and Belgian anna
teur fencerr are so superior to the
Anglo Saxons in the estimation of
those best informed. as to make Say
Invitation to an International match
appear almost -ridivuious. II is hoped,
however. by this contest with the Eng
lishmen to bring about a series OF In
ternational fencing bouts as an annual
AFFAIR. and In which the foremost men
with foil, dueiilng sword, bTe adsword
and sabre may join