The New York herald., 1922-03-12
AMERICANS ACCEPT
TENNIS CHALLENGE
Davis Cup Team Of 1900
Agrees to Meet Old British
Rivals Again.

1t Is now up to the English Davis
Cup team Of 1900 to say whether there
VIII be return match with the team
that represented the United States in
that contest, for Dwight F. Davis,
Holcombe Ward and Malcolm D. Whit
man have agreed to play The proposal
originated in a statement by H. Roper
Barrett, who was member of the team
from the British Isles, to the effect that
his team could defeat the Americans II
they met this year.
his argument that the English players
last longer than their American con-
temporaries struck fire here. for 1t is
the contention Of many close followers
or tennis that our men stay In the
game longer than they do abroad
Julian s. Myrick. as president of the
United States Lawn Tennis Association,
put Mr.. Barrett's challenge before
Messrs. Davis, Ward and Whitman.
who promptly accepted 1t. IN fact,
since the match has been under dis
cussion they have become SO enthusiast
tic for 1T that they are now eager to
have 1t arranged.
Consequently, Mr.. Myrick has for
warded to Fl. Anthony Sabelli, secre-
tary Of the British Lawn Tennis Asso-
citation. formal acceptance of Mr.. Bar
retts challenge in the following letter:
AS you are doubtless aware, the
January Ia issue of Ldion Tennis and
Bddnainton had paragraph quoting Mr..
II. Roper Barrett as follows:
Too much Is made, / think. of the
modern fiery service; 1t rarely lasts for
long. Where Is McLoughlin's service to-
II fan L., 81 f,x,
how the team of Americans A. w. Gore,
e. ID. Black Ind myself met in the first
Davis cup at Longwood In 1900 would
fare against the three of us to-day?
] am almost persuaded to wager a large
sum of money--only the L. T. A. won't
let mc-that Malcolm Whitman, Dwight
Davis and Holcombe Ward would not
beat us If they came to Wimbledon this
year.-H. Roper Barrett
Mr.. Barrett's suggestion for match
between the British Isles and American
Davis cup teams of 1900 possesses so
many possibilities that might be utilized
for the benefit of the spor. that l have
talked 1t over with various members of
the association at some length. I also
took occasion to communicate Mr.. Bar
rett's ideas to Dwight F. Davis, Hol-
combe Ward and Malcolm d. Whitman,
who were the members Of the team rep
resenting this country in that contest, to
see how the idea appealed to them.
They all favor 1t and will be very
glad to play the team that represented
the British Isles in 1900 a return match
this summer. Unfortunately, M<. Davis Is
in the Governments service at Washing
ton and cannot secure leave for the length
of time necessary to make a trip to Eng
land. He is, however, willing and able
to play in this country, as are the other
members Of the team.
"Our suggestion would be to schedule
a match at some club near New York SO
that there would be minimum Of travel
ing required. and play 1t probably during
August In view of the fact that Mr..
Barrett's challenge appeared in your Of
fetal organ, I have deemed 1t proper to
address this acceptance to you. with the
request that you communicate 1t to Mr.
Barrett and the other members of the
team and inform me at the earliest pos
sible moment of their decision.
Needless to say, We all regard this
propose, of Mr.. Barrett's as being ex-
tremely interesting, not only because OF
the possibilities in tennis that 1t indi-
Gates, but also because of the spirit OF
sportsmanship that prompted 1t. I shall
be very grateful, therefore. IL you can
let me have the decision by cable so that
the necessary arrangements may be conn.,
pleted promptly"