New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-11
CAPTAIN DouSt Has Confidence
in Team Now Here for
Davis Cup Matches.
UNDERESTIMATE, HE SAYS
Famous Visitor Thinks German
Experts May Prove Surprise
in Struggle for Lawn
Tennis Blue Ribbon.


captain in Stanley y. Doust who is the
type OF Briton who nails his colors to the
mast and does battle 10 the sinking oil
the ship. Doust. who. by the way.
speaks of himself as the Skipper OF
the team from the Antipodes, is modest
IL sanguine of success in the matches
for the Davis international cup against
the Americans. He does not underesti-
mate the tremendous sweeping attack OF
Maurice T. Mclaughlin, nor the clever
ness of r. Morris Williams whom he
considers the leading men in this coun-
try at the present time.
I'VE know that we have sporting
chance against the Americans, and as
captain of the team l intend to take no
hazards that may jeopardize that
chance" Such was the cheerfully conf
dent statement made by Doust. as ne
carefully weighed the respective merits
of the American and Australian players.
IL is the opinion Of the wiry leader OF the
British colonials that there is prlghf
and glowing prospect Of the famous cup
recognized as the blue ribbon or the
lawn tennis courts again finding well
come niche on the down under side OF
the world.
CAPTAIN Doust is not only a player OF
high class and ability. but he is also a
close student Of the science Of the game.
With rare and convincing skill he argues
the tactical points and the elements OF
strategic moves. much as chess enthu-
siast might evolve a novel attack or de-
fence. and indicates the reasons for
hopefulness.
It is the opinion of Captain Doust that
the Australian trio. which also includes
4. g. Jones and Horace Rice, is under
estimated. This is due chiefly 10 the
fact that the men have performed so tar
from the beaten track of the game as TO
allow but few to gather the real iacts
as TO their ability with the racquet. re
points out that all are men whose long
experience and age place them IN the
veterans class. and while he acknoWi-
edges that youth must be served, stu II
is the seasoned player who usually may
be depended upon TO carry off the VIC
tory.
Bearing a striking resemblance TO ali
other sporting chances, the optimism OF
the Australian captain Is Swallowed by
an If" There IS no disputing the force
of his argument. however. that victory
against the Americans will carry his
team a long way toward the cup. AS he
views the situation, the Australians will
then meet the winning nation OF the ties
between the Germans and French. lie
favors the Germans. and says, In fact'
that there is a general impression abroad
that Otto Froitzheim and Rahe, who are
expected to lead the German team, may
capture the cup. Even with the great
Andre II. Colbert and the brilliant young
IAurentz on the French side he thinks
that the wielders Of the racquet from the
Fatherland are likely TO carry Off the
series.
1t would make little or no difference
TO the logical working out of his argu-
ment as to whether the Germans or
French won. The thing he pins his faith
TO is the fact that Anthony f. Wilding'
the greatest Australian who ever trod a
lawn tennis court. will take his place on
the team Immediately 1t crosses the At
lantic Ocean for the matches that must
lead up to the challenging of the British
Isles holders.
As for the Belsians, Canadians and
players. he does not believe they will cut
much Of a figure in the ultimate winning
of the cup. Captain Doust has had con-
siderable experience against the men who
will represent South Africa, as he led an
English team against them successfully
last season. The team. he understands,
is 10 be composed OF Gauntlet lie Sueur.
Leach and. possibly II. A. Ktson. The
latter is playing in his top from at pres
ent. and recently won the South African
championship IN singles.
Under the international regulations gov
erning the cup II would be proper for
Anthony r. Wilding to take his place on
the Australian forces. AS the man who
is directing the destin.es OF the team indi-
cater. the presence OF Wilding, who with
Norman Z. Brookes lifted the cup for
Australia would prove an inspiration. As
Wilding has stood supreme on English
courts for two seasons and is constant
match and tournament player, 1t IS fair to
believe that he would be capable Of ac-
counting for two OF the singles matches.
Doust, who has devoted himself chiefly
10 doubles. believes that with either A.
B. Jones as a partner or with Widing.
the doubles match. and with II the neces-
sary third point TO win a series would be
successfully scored. Only recently Wilding
and Doust won the covered court cham
pionship OF England. Just how strong
Doust is I'm doubles may be taken from
the fact that he has arranged with y. NJ.
Mavrogordato 10 compete In the All-Eng
land championship at Wimbledon. The
two have never been defeated on turf.
This is something Of record. considering
all of the formidable pairs in the Euro
pean tournaments
OF course, Captain Doust does not know
how he will play his men against the
Americans. He is strongly I'm favor Of
lot OF easy. quiet practice With that end
in view he has practically decided TO &C
cept the invitation from Philadelphia, the
team leaving for that city Monday morn
ing. He plans TO remain at Philadelphia
until the week before the cup matches,
which will begin on the West Side Club
courts on Friday. June 6.
Probably the Australians will make
short trip to the Longwood Cricket Club
courts at Boston for day or two All
other invitations. he thinks. must be de-
clined. for he regards Davis Cup matches
as serious business and the sporting
chance must not be thrown away for the
pleasures OF junketing trips
While on their way TO this city after