New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-03
IAUT0 NE,'2 # THE DAY FENCERS PLAN TOURNEY
To Send a Challenge to the
English Amateurs.
PUT UP A TROPHY, TOO
Proposed International Match
the Outgrowth of Olympic
Competitions.

American amateur fencers have sent a
| provisional challenge to English amateurs
TO visit this country and compete for an
| international trophy similar to the West
chester polo cup or the Davis cup in lawn
| tennis. J. Sanford Saltus. long patron
of American fencers. provided the IN
! spiration for this first of international
fencing competitions.
This Is the outgrowth OF a project 10
has cherished for several years, and
which was made possible by the splendid
showing of American foilsmen In the
Olympic championships of last year A
| fund to defray the expenses of the IN
dertaking and to provide the trophy has
been headed by Mr.. Saltus. and includes
Colonel Robert NJ. Thompson. president,
OF the New York Athletic Club; A. j.
/ Eddy, Frederick Sshenck and Others.
In outlining the programme proposei
| for these international competitions. W.
Scott O'Connor. secretary of the Amateur
| Fencers' League of America, said yes-
terday: "The project. which has been lonA
talked of. was launched at the annual.
dinner of the Fencers' League. Leld early,
in December. 1t is the direct outgrowtiI
OF the Olympic competitions. in which
close fellowship was established between
the English and American teams. At that
| time the EnGlishmen stated that II n
trophy was offered team OF four men
would visit this country to compete for ID
under the usual rules governing the fob
] and epee. 4
such a team would most likely be Sc.
lected from among such men as Captain
F.. Selgman. Lord Desborough, Captain Al
Hutton r. Montgomerie, Sir cosmo Duff
Gordon and Egerton Castle, the famous
novelist So far the plans are In embryo.
Or. Graeme VI. Hammond. the president
OF the league. and George n. Breed being
in correspondence with the British assoc
citation as 10 the details.
1T is the intention 10 make this match
with the Englishmen the beginning OF n
series of international affairs, which VIII
! later include the French and Italian ANA
! tours IT. is the idea to have the team or
/ four fencers visit this country the latter
part Of April Immediately following ths
national championships. This will allow
OF the selection OF the best Of Americans
TO meet the leading Englishmen, and the
bouts. which will SAVIOR of an interna-
tional championship. will be decided IN
the grand ballroom OF the Hotel Astor.
While the American fencing team was
! in Stockholm during tho Olympic COM
petitions. George II. Breed. tho former
national champion. and Or. J. f. GignouS
esta blished most cordial relations win me
English fencers The plan was discussed
at length by the leading men OF both na'
tions. and arrangements have gone TO-
ward quietly ever since then. Those VINO
have spent considerable time I'm arranging
the details state that. without regard IS
to how the trophy may be won. u WIT
probably be offered under conditions
which will bring about competitions 10,
Il In this city and in London on alternal-
/ ing years
The French. Italian and Belgian anna
! tellr fencers are so superior TO the Ansl'-
Saxons. i'm the estimation Of those oest
| Informed, as 10 make any Invitation I"
an international match appear almost IT,
diculous. II Is hoped. however. by this
! contest with the Englishmen 10 orlhs
about a series OF international fencing
/ bouts as an annual affair. and IN WINCH
the foremost men with foil. dueiIns
sword. broadsword and sabre may JOIN