The New York herald., 1921-06-18
AMERICAN POL0ETS
May LOSE MlLBURN
Whether Team Captain Will
Play To-day Depends on
Medical Decision.
KING SENDS PHYSICIAN
Betting Switches From 6 to )
in U. S. Favor to 6 to 4 and
2 to 1 on England.
KING SENDS PHYSICIAN
Special Gable to THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE NEW YORK HERALD

Special Gable to THE NEW yonK HpraLD.
Copyright, 1891 by THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
London, juno II.
AS announced in THE NEW YORK
HERALD two days ago, the physical con-
dition of Devereux Milburn, captain of
the American polo team, Is serious, but
it will not be known until after 4
medical examination at IL o'clock to-
morrow morning whether or not he
will play in the opening match of the
International polo games at Hurting
ham tomorrow.
There is no possibility of postponing
the match. If Milburn does not play
the lineup will be Louis Stoddard, Earl
w. Hopping, J. Watson Webb and
Thomas c. Hitchcock, Jr. That is a
combination giving America more than
fighting chance, but it Is not the
combination upon which work has
been lavished during the last four
months so as to build up a smooth
team.
climax of the London season, with
royalty having engaged to be present
and with elaborate arrangements made
for catering. &C., which would mean
the loss of considerable money in case
of postponement. Hence, although
when Leslie Cheape. captain of the
English team, was injured just before
the Meadow Brook games in 1914 post
ponement followed. Stoddard and Hop
ping. representing the Americans at
meeting of players at Hurlingham. this
afternoon readily agreed that post
ponement under the present circum-
stances was not desirable.
The above lineup of the team comes
from an authoritative source. Although
the absence of Mllbun would cause
a radical change in the team and it's
strategy. there is consolation in tho
fact that Hitchcock has already shown
striking ability TO play back better
than forward, and that IL 1t were not
for Milburns preeminence he would
have been playing there on the regular
team.
Hopping all along has been recognized
as one of the greatest forwards In the
whole international field ana IL the new
combination can work up good team play
all hope is not lost should Milburn be
unable to play.
Milburn has been suffering from lum-
bago for some time following strain
Of the muscles in his back two weeks
ago. Yesterday he had an engagement
to take luncheon with King George at
Windsor Castle. but the pain was so in
tense that he was obliged to ask to be
excused, Mrs. Milburn going alone. The
King became deeply concerned and when
word was received at Windsor In the
afternoon that Milburn's condition was
worse the Kings own physician. Sir Al
fred Fripp, went to the patients hotel.
Mlburn was out and about to-day
and talked over the prospects OF play
ing with other members of the Ameri-
can team. Later he again consulted
Dr. Fripp. who refused to give a final
decision before tomorrow The other
members of the team are plainly gloomy
over 'Dev's' hard luck. but are de-
termined to play all the harder. what
ever may happen TO their captain.
What little betting there was this
afternoon favored the Americans, to o,
but after IL became known that Mill
burns condition might keep him out
OF the game there was a sharp swing
the other way. Tonight. although the
betting Is still not extensive. the odds
range from to to to ! In favor OF
England's team