New-York tribune., 1918-12-20
Club Declines
Lipton's Yacht
Cup Challenge
Officials Say Time Is Not
Fitting for Race Because
of Aftermath of the War

F1ttlng tor Race Because
of Aftermath of the War
The New York Yacht Club decided at
meeting last night to decline the
challenge Of the Royal Ulster Yacht
Club for race for Americas Cup in
1919, but announced that II the chal-
lenge were renewed for 1920 it would
be accepted.
The challenge Of the Royal Ulster
Club was conveyed by cable to the New
York Yacht Club December 12 on be-
half Of Sir Thomas Upton, who relied
upon the Shamrock Nv. The opinion
was expressed at the time by members
of the New York club that the challenge
would be accepted, though surprise was
expressed that it should have been sent
so soon after the cessation Of hos
tilities
Sir Thomas Upton was to have made
all attempt to win the Americas Cup
in 1914, but his purpose was frustrated
by the outbreak of the war, the Sham
rock w being on it's way to these shores
when war was declared. The racing
vessel WAS brought to this port by way
of Bermuda and now is at Tebo's Yacht
Basin, Brooklyn. The Shamrock "
would have been opposed by the Res
olute, which likewise still is available
Says It's Not Fitting Time
In reply to the challenge the follow
ing was cabled to Secretary Fl. L. Gar
rett Of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club,
Belfast. Ireland, by G. A. Cormack, sec
retary of the New York club:
"The challenge, of which you notified
us by cable. for series Of races in Sep
tember, 1919, reached us yesterday, De-
cember 18.
"While we fully appreciate its cordial
and friendly expressions, we must
frankly say to- you that the members
of the New York Yacht Club are
strongly of the opinion that, with peace
not yet concluded, with a long list OF
casualties still to be reported, with re-
turning transports bringing home on,
wounded, and with conditions unset
tied as they ares this is not an ap'
propriate or fitting time for us to ar.
range for a purely sporting event Of
such Importance as match Tor the
Americas Cup.
Accordingly 1t seems best that W.
suggest to you that the challenge b.
withdrawn. If at some future date
when there is no question on eithe
side as to the proprety, you wish t.
challenge with Shamrock Nv for rac'
in 1920, we shall accept the challeng'
. to be defended by one of the boat
which we built in 1914 for that pur
pose.
/ "We trust you will accept this sug
) gestion in the spirit in which it /
| given"
Wanted 1t as Peace Fete
In the letter from Secretary Gar
rett, confirming the challenge sent b
- the Royal Ulster Yacht Club on behal
, of Sir Thomas Upton, naming Sham
. rock Nv as the challenging yacht,
was requested that the races shoul
he sailed in September, 1919, under tn
conditions agreed upon for the rae
which was to have been sailed in l9l
After explaining these conditions, tn
,, letter read:
"I trust it will suit the views of 20,
committee to accept this challenge G
= the above lines, so that the races whic
= were 80 abruptly and disastrously inte
~ rupted in 1914 will duly take place
1919 under conditions worthy not onl
of a sporting event of the calibre
q Americas Cup races, but of yes
q which will be memorable for all tin
for the celebration of peace, to the su
N cessful conclusion of which the Unite
States Of America and Great Britain,
q steadfast allies, have contributed
ID much.
"It is true, of course, that at II
N moment peace is not officially co..
a cluded, but we feel sure it is now
,e certain and so near at hand that,
1T view Of the fact that the Shamrock III
n. been lying, with all her gear, for ov'
N four yearB on your side. 1t would be
10 pity to let her lie there unused for y
A. another year, and we trust, therefor
~ it will suit the convenience of yo,
a. committee to take up the challenge
i. the point where it had to be abandon'
,e in 1914"
20 At the annual election of Officer
Of which took place last night. J. P. Mo
gan was elected commodore of T.
At New York Yacht Club, and George
a. Cormack was reelected secretary.
at
N P.;ncare Receives American