New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-09
birmingham Club to Pick
Men to Strive for the In
ternational Cup.
OLD QUESTION OF
CLASS AND CASTE
English Newspapers Say Players
and Ponies Are Far Below
American Standard.

NV Gable 70 The Tribune
london. May 9.-Something in the
,s,ure Of a panic, as we'll as disap-
,o,ntment and shame. struck to the
sesrt England's sporting world TO-
asv on the announcement that Lord
uyohorne had given up the struggle
% get a polo team together In an Ell
,or, ~ lift" the international cup and
Rad turned over the task TO the Hurl-
,ngham Club.
This was particularly true when the
real inside reason developed. 1t seems
that the team is below the interna-
,,onal standard and that the ponies are
M, IN the same class with those in the
United states.
Lord Wimborne was not able to de-
yelop a proper team because Of the ola
question Of class and caste. Social
rivalry has interfered to prevent Eng
land being properly represented by
rroup OF hard hitting. dashing players.
on last Wednesdays form Lord VIM
borne's team. as THE Pail Mall Ga
,et,e" truly said. was at far the best II
has shown. but by no means satisfac-
tory. Not only did the team appear
below international standard, but the
mounted ponies were not in the same
class with the American animals
Buckrnasters team. composed OF Cap
tain L. St George Cheape at No. l, r.
" Freake at No. 2. w. S. Buckmaster
~ No. 3 and Lord Wodehouse, back.
seemed particularly chosen TO show up
Lord Wimbornes team, and also to
make plain the unfortunate social rival
ries which prevent England sending
truly representative four. composed OF
the best players in the country, to seek
TO regain the cup.
How the Social War Began.
The Duke Of Westminster, a year ago,
forced Buckmaster off the team because
the latter's family formerly was in
trade" SO, regardless of the fact that
Buckmaster was easily one Of the best
Of Englands players. the team had
10 be weakened on account OF social
prejudices.
Again this year there was still
weaker team for similar reasons.
Until the recent death of his father
Lord Wimborne was Lord Ashby st.
Ledgers. The barony was created In
1910 while the barony of Wimborne
goes hack only to 1880. There was
much dissatisfaction and criticism In
1910 when the barony was created ana
Gnest chose the old title Of Ashby ST.
Ledgers.
He never was forgiven in many
quarters. and is regarded as a social
climber The present attempt to re-
cover the polo cup is considered by
MANY only another effort TO achieve
social recognition.
For this reason Lord Wimborne was
unable to get the best backing IN MS
attempts to bring together an interna-
tional polo team. The Duke of West
minister's friends have stood coldly
dlOOI
borne's futile efforts, or have Joined
Buckmaster in showing up Wimbornes
, team. while Buckmaster was left out OF
both sides because Westminster would
not have him and Wimborne dared not.
He enjoyed the unusual position OF
being England's leading polo exponent
vet unable TO play in an international
match. After Wednesdays game VIM
borne probably was the most disap-
pointed and crestfallen man in England.
Team, Larentably Weak.
During the play Barrett showed in
ternational form, doing splendid work,
and at times Tompkinson proved him.
self to be a strong, fast, brainy player,
but on the whole, Wimborne's team
was lamentably weak. Most papers
now suggest that Cheape, Freake,
Buckmaster and Barrett should be
members OF the team.
II became known that Wimoorn@
asked Freake and Lord Wodehouse TO
play for him, but said they declined.
The Pail Mall Gazette" says: The
Nottingham Club is placed in very
unenyiable position. The club, not
Wimborne. challenged, and at this late
date the club hardly can withdraw. 1t
is hoped that the club will approach
men who have played together and I'M
derstand one another's methods"
The most significant utterance OF
The Pail Mall Gazette, however, was:
1t is hoped in this crisis that all play