New-York tribune., 1920-02-18


Sir Thomas will attempt to win the
world-famous yachting trophy with his
challenger Shamrock ~. while the New
York Yacht Club VIII defend the cup
won in 1851 with either the Resolute
or Vanitie, launched for that purpose
In 1918.
In announcing its formal and definite
acceptance Of the challenge the New
York Yacht Club made public corre-
apondence with the Royal Ulster Yacht
Club, which showed that the dates and
course were the result Of compromise
of the wishes of the two yachting or
sanixations.
Favored Newport Course
The American club in agreeing to
race off Sandy Hook, beginning on
!hursday, July Is, and every alternate
day. not counting Sunday, until one Of
the competing yachts has won three out
Of Ave races, abandons its original de-
sire that the regatta be held off New
port about August /.
The challengers in turn acquiesce
TO later date than the one first men,
toned In the correspondence, which
was June "a.
Considerable discussions passed be-
tween the clubs regarding these de-
tails and the sail equipment to be used.
acceded to the wishes of the Belfast
club with one exception. This referred
to the rule of measurement Of sail area
which, 1t stated, 1--WE must decline to
change"
The final letter Of the correspondence
addressed to R. L. Garrett, honorary
secretary, Americas Cup committee
Royal Ulster Yacht Club, which en-
bodies the decisions reached by the
New York Yacht Club under date OF
January 80, is as follows:
Final Letter of N. Y. Y. C.
"Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter Of Decem-
Der. 1919, which have sub
mitted to the New York Yacht Club
Americas Cup committee, which have
Instructed me to make this reply:
First. as to the dates for the
races: We observe that you say in
your letter with regard to courses,
we had understood that the agreement
of 1914 would be observed as far os
possible. and yet in the challenge
you have widely departed from the
dates fixed by that agreement 1t
Is not quite clear to US why you
felt that this agreement should be
observed as to courses but not as to
dates, particular Y as, under the deed
Of gift, it is the challenging club
that fixes dates, but the challenged
club that fixes courses, in the absence
of agreement.
However. we accept your decision
that Thursday, July Is, be the date
for the first race.
Second, as to courses, we have
considered the three grounds you
give for preferring the Sandy Hook
courses.
"As to the first. which is that they
approach neutral Waters as far as
possible, we do not quite understand
what is meant by this. If by
neutral waters you mean that these
courses are fairer for both contest
ants as requiring less special knowl-
edge o local conditions, tides, winds,
etc., we entirely disagree with you.
Arguments for Newport
"In our opinion the courses off
Newport. with the starting point
fixed sufficiently far to the south
ward and eastward from Brenton's
Reef lightship, are much more free
from peculiarities of local conditions
than those off Sandy Hook, and are
therefore much more fair to the
challenger, who is not presumed to
have special knowledge of local
conditions, and this point is abund-
antly confirmed by our experience
In racing in that locality.
"The second reason you give is
that off Sandy Hook is the historic
course for Americas cup races.
This is undoubtedly true, but it is
equally true that courses off New
York we're for great many years
the historic courses for our own
races, but as time passed, changing
conditions led us to substitute the
Newport courses, and we were In
duced to make this change for the
very reasons for which we suggest
ed like change to you.
"The third reason, relating to the
attendance Of tho public, VIC believe
we discussed sufficiently in our for
mel letter.
However, as our suggestion of
- change Of courses was made in
the belief that II was for our mutual
Advantage, and if accepted would re-
suit In better and fairer test Of
the eontesting yachts, and you do
pot agree with our views on the SUBJ
1sct and We prefer to avoid differ
snces OF opinion SO far as possible.
Ts have decided that upon this point
also, we Will accept your decisian.
And that the races shall take place
% Sandy Hok.
Rig Left to Challenger
1hird-As to tho 'Marconi. rio
~ cur letter Of October 20. 1919. Wa
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