The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-20
WORLD TENNIS BODY
ASKS U. 5. TO JOIN
Leaders Abroad Write t.
American Association for
Full Cooperation.
AMPLE ENTRIES CERTAIN
Germany and It's Allies to Be
Barred From All COMPETE
ton, Is the Plan.

That the European nations where
tennis Is played desire TO have the
United states Join the international
Tennis Federation Is evident IN a letter
from Capt. r. Norris williams I'd tust
received by George T. Ades. president
Of the u s. N. l.. T. A. This fedora
ton was being formed In 1914, but
was interrupted by the war. The APP
proach of peace reopens the question,
which is bound TO be discussed by play
ers In this country.
Capt williams Is a member OF the
executive committee of the U. s. n. L.
T. A, and also Is thoroughly familiar
with European tennis. 30 he 10 we'll
qualified to act for the United States in
the preliminary conferences at Paris.
Associated with him 10 Capt. Watson
NJ. Washburn. also a member of the
executive committee and assistant ath-
letic officer of the A. Z. r. Their re-
port shows that two questions are up
permost in the minds of tennis enthu-
siaets abroad. One deals with tho re-
lations between tennis players of the
Central Powers and the allied nations;
the other with the future of the fed
Grafton.
The report Of Capita williams and
Washburn, touching on these matters
can be Understood only by realizing that
organization OF the federation had pro
crossed so far in 1914 that votes had
been assigned the principal nations ana
championships awarded. The champion
chip of the world. on grass was given
to England IN perpetuity in recogri-
ton OF that country's service to the
game. The hard court championship
was given to France for four years.
From the following report It appears
that some OF these acts may he re-
vised:
Two Major Propositions.
"As you know, this international fed
Grafton has asked America TO Join. just
recently. and once before the war. be-
| lleve in 1918 or 1914 Well. Washburn
| and I, both being in Paris, have gore
| to a number OF meetings OF the exc
cutive committee of the federation; IN
short. as members of the L. s. y. L.
T. A. We discussed n great many sub
Jects with them, and have received the;
views wishes and ideas. which I nov
transmit to you.
There are two subjects which we ais
cussed: % German tennis players. ca
the International Federation. The
International Federation has not met
this year. but hopes 10 do 50 In about
two months time. Although the feders
ton has not met England. France, Bel
gium and Italy have each individually
decided to pass the three following ruiee /:
"A. No German can play in our cotin-
try.
'B. None Of our players can play III
Germany.
&C. None of our players can play IN a
neutral country that does not prohibit
the German players from entering It.
! tournaments.
In A. y and c I mean by German
Germany. Austria. Turkey and Buigaria
the Central Powers in other words
1t is, therefore, absolutely sure that Tho
federation will pass the above rules
There are. naturally. all sorts Of com
pltcations that will arise II one country
or another does not pass all three rules
or passes only part but by far the bee'
way would be for us to pass all thru
and have 1t over with. Both Washbufn
ard l urge you strongly TO do so.
Raise Some Objections.
with reference to the Interna tious
Federation at 4 meeting OF the exec,:-
tive committee. Mr.. Wallet asked Wasl.-
burn. what would be the answer OF q, -
L, s. n. L. T. A. II America were asked
'to enter the federation. We told theu
the rules OF the federation. They rave
us the rules. 'Watty' and I studied
them ami met the executive COMMITTEES
a week later. This is what happened:
We said that America would probably.
not enter the federation under it's exist
Ing rules; that we would probably OBJ
)ect 70 % number OF votes given 10
each country, (2) the championships OF
the world, 90 that the commission cor
sultation Gin other words tho executive
iconmittee) shall not be more than two
days OF mail from Paris
Let me take up the point. az thsy
came. First-Votins. The voting power
is arbitrary. We are willing TO admit
that England has done much in the las.
thirty years, &c. but that does not
entitle her TO an extra vote We said
that we should advise that the nurnbeI,
OF votes should be revised and based O.
some fact. In other words that the
number OF clubs or courts or piayers
In country should determine the nun
4 her Of votes that that country has, that
We thought it wiser 10 appoint a com
9 mittee to study this. no that a couutry
: Will have number OF votes in some
way proportional 10 the interest taleu
IN tennis in that country.
As to World Title.
Second-Championsh OF the world
For obvious reasons IL is silly 10 cali NJ
A. the champion OF the world II he hap
pens to win at Wimbledon or Paris 4
champion of the world should meet all
the good men in each country before 10
: can have that title They all agreed
there, and We came 20 the conclusion
that perhaps II we all got together We
might be able 20 have the Davis cup
team championship @, the world }
, championship OF the world on grass
: earth, indoor. all played IN the SAM
, country for one. two or three years, ARD
thus the different associations woui7
send their best men TO compete. But
that we would nor agree 70 give Eng
2 land the championship Of the world or
i grass IN perpetuity.
: Third - Executive committee beius
q only two days Cby maid from Paris
They say at once that We could not &C
: cept this. and said that some solution
: such as mileage would be better. The,
!. is. either using the cable or giving more
time TO hear from countries Ike America
OF Australia. and that II any sch propo-
sltion as holding all the Championship,
In our country we're adopted the execu-
tive committee would he more or less ell.
= tirely made up OF men residing IN the
championship country.
Those were the three big questions
: Others arose, such as no prizes The,
,tr. 49,, 10 49,