Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-08-30
Tennis STARS SEEK
NATIONAL HONORS
East and West Send Best
Men to Forest Hill
Nets Today
EXPECT MCLAUGHLIN
TO SHOW GREAT SPEED
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES.

United Press STAN correspondent.
For east is east and west is west.
And ne'er the twain shall meet"
FOREST HILLS, l.. l.. Aug. 3d.
Rudyard Kipling was all wrong For
the east did meet the west here to-
day, for the national tennis cham
pionships, and there was blood in the
eyes of the western invaders. To the
strictly neutral correspondent, how
ever, there appeared to be an equal
amount Of gore In the orbs of the
eastern defenders, for they were
fighting for the retention Of their
titles, and for what is infinitely dear
er to eastern hearts-the casts ath-
letic prestige, which has suffered
slightly of late. So, all things con-
sidered, early indications pointed to
a bird of a scrap" No holds we're
barred.
The east counted on four men to
bear the brunt OF the fury Of the
western attack-R. Norris Williams
II of Philadelphia, present holder of
the national title, Kari Behr, middle
states champion and all around star;
Teddy Pell, possessor of a backhand
stroke that has made him famous, and
George Church, intercollegiate cham
pion, and young sensation. Behind
these four in massed array. stood a
galaxy of near stars, would-be stars,
has beens, and merely persons with
white pants.
Headed by the slashing, driving, IL
tian-haired Mclaughlin, far OFF Cali
fornia had four entries that repre-
scented the attacking power of Sun
set section, and II was an awe-inspir-
ing front. The Big Hope was placed
on Mclaughlin, of course. just as If
was some time ago when the Davis
cup was in danger. And a comparison
of the eastern and western offen[
sive and defensive strength simmer
ed down to the question Of how much
chance the big pair-Williams and
Behr-have of beating the comet-like
westerner.
Good chance" said the east.
Fat chancel" said the west. And
there you are.
Mclaughlin has TO take the often
sive as the title already is Williams.
But that phase of McLOughlin's play
ing according to the red-headed ones
supporters, Is where he shines. One
thing was being pointed to by east
ern adherents-the fact that Nc
Loughlin lowered his colors once this
year at Seabright ~ j., 10 Karl Behr.
Then Williams turned around and
beat Behr. That much of the dope
favored Williams today. But no ten
mis- enthusiast has forgotten how the
reserve of Wilding and Brooks last
year in the Davis cup matches broke
under the terrific drives and slash
ing returns of Mclaughlin His work
at that time earned him the title of
the worlds best.
Flanking Mclaughlin for the vests
attack were wild Bill Johnston.
Ward Dawson and Thomas Bundy.
McLoughlins partner in possession
OF the national doubles title.
, TOday's events were for the most
part merely warmer-ups for the real
matches. Toe rockies were being
weeded out. and the underbrush clear
ed away for the regular fight. That
the play finally would narrow down
to Williams and Mclaughlin few had
any doubt. Behr. while conceded 20
be one OF the most dangerous en-
trants OF the lot doesn't stack up
with the former pair in the opin-
ion Of tennis critics. He can be re-
garded. they opine as a distinctly
dangerous dark horse.
One of the largest crowds that ever
attended the championships was in
the stands as play commenced.