People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1895 — DEFENDER IS UPHELD. [ARTICLE]

DEFENDER IS UPHELD.

HER PROTEST IN TUESDAY’S RACE SUSTAINED. Decision of the Regatta Committee of the New York Yacht Club Is Not Well Received by Press or Public —Race Will Take Place To-day. New York, Sept. 12. —The regatta committee of the New York Yacht Club late yesterday afternoon bulletined its decision on Tuesday’s race sustaining the protest of the Defender, and giving her a technical victory. This bulletin was soon posted in every club in the city, upon the boards of every daily paper, and in every resort where lovers of sports congregate, and in no place was it received with enthusiasm. There was a general feeling that, while the Valkyrie lll.’s victpry was of questionable nature, and should not be counted, the Defender should not retain the cup by means of technicalities. Before the committee reached its decision it took the testimony of Lord Dunraven, C. Oliver Iselin, and others on board the contesting yachts. Lord Dunraven, in a sportsmanlike way said last night: “I shall sail the race tomorrow as a sportsman, because I have no occasion to do otherwise. I believe in the ability and honesty of the regatta committee of the New York Yacht Club. I believe that no effort has been made to influence its decision. I believe the members thereof to be gentlemen and yachtsmen. I do not expect that Mr. Iselin will offer a chance for a resail or anything of that sort. While it is very certain that tho America's cup is lost by reason of my yacht’s racing showing, it is not so certain that at some time the cup may not. be carried across the Atlantic.” It is believed by many viewers of the situation at the start of Tuesday’s race that the Valkyrie 111. was not the boat at fault, but that the Defender was entirely to blame. Ex-Commodore James G. Smith, of the New York • Yacht Club, said: "I do not believe that the foul was incurred by the Valkyrie 111., or that the protest was deserved. Jt looked to me like another occasion of the Vigilant-Defender position.” At an impromptu conference it was found that there were others whose opinions dM not differ from that of ex-Com-modore Smith. When asked if he would consent to resail the race Mr. Iselin said: "I do not know why I should do anything like this. It would not be sportsmanlike for me to give up any advantage which had been officially awarded me under such a state of circumstances. I will not say a thing for publication. I do not believe that the press has any right to notice this sort of politics.” The New York press is unanimous in condemnation of the decision of the committee.