San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-30
BY LAWRENCE PERRY.

Copyright. by the San Antonio Light.
New York. Aug. 3O.-For the eight
ccnth time. the Davis Cup, emblematic
% international supremacy in lawn
tennis. will be the object of competition
beginning Friday and continuing
through Labor Day upon the courts of
the West Side Tennis Club Mt Forrest
Hills, y. Y. The United States de-
fends against Australia.
1t is not difficult to catch the great
significance of these tennis matches
aside from their sporting aspects. They
bring representatives of many nations
together in common sport and there
by unite the people of the countries
involved in o common interest. This
is big thing. In truth, no one can
estimate the influence for international
understanding and good will that these
Davis Cup affairs exert.
Some statesman has said that the
great barrier against amiable relations,
among nations and races is the lack
of understanding diverse interests,
habits and pursuits. In this respect.
tennis acts as 1eveler. 1t hits at the
fundamental human stuff which is sub
stantially the same the world over. Its
wide growth, therefore, makes for
something that is greater than the
snort itself. The writer ventures the
statement that if the nations could be
brought to find common cause in other
divisions of sport the theories that I'M
derlie leagues of nations, peace con-
crosses and the like would be we'll on
the way to transformation into reali-
ties.
Seventeen Nations Played.
Consider that in the Davis Cup
scheme of the present year seventeen
nations were involved, with another
nation. Portugal. barred because Of
dilatory entry. When one looks back
over the years and finds that. in 1900.
1902 and 1908. only the United States
and the British Isles were involved in
these matches. an idea will b, had as
to the extraordinary growth that sub
se0uent years have seen.
Various nations joined from time to
time. until this year we saw the
United States. England, Australia,
France. Spain. Ireland. Switzerland:
Holland. Roumana, CZechoslovakia.
Denmark. the Argentine. Italy. Bel
gum. Hawaii. Japan and Canada en-
tcring their stars il the various zones
of play.
Throughout the years. United States
representatives have won the cup six
times. Australia six times and the
B,itish Isles five times. This year, the
Australian team. which since last year
has played without help from New
Zealand won the right to play the chal-
!. lenge round against the United States,
watch. after lapse of seven years,
won the cup in 1920 and has since de-
Tended ii successfully.
Two Greatest Players.
American representatives this year
VII be the worlds two greatest SIM
lies performers. William Tilden and
William Johnston. with Norris Will
liams and Vincent Richards assisting.
The Australian team. through its con-
sistently brilliant play since last
March. gives promise OF making a
nnUerful assault upon our prestige.
The captain of the invading team.
lanes o. Anderson. is 4 sterling play
or whose record entities him to rank
ing among the first five players oil the
world. ga,
!. Il. Hawkes. is well qualified, to
second Anderson IN the singles emu OF
the match. while ScLlesinger and Nc
lines. two younger player. are quail
fled rpservists. Anderson's game. wheh
he is in good health; which ne was nor
when he played hefe last year. Is
brilliant thing to watch, and Snimidzu'
Tho Japanese star who fell before the
ali Aussie star in Chicago, says ne
never faced such destructive tennis as
anderson played. Hawkes., with ms
t;iling service and his deadly volleying.
hos won admiration here. All in all,
Tho outcome of the 1923 matches is an
uncertain thing.