It ip to be regretted that Reuter 4s able to report a certain amount of coolness arising over the manner in which Mr. T.O.M. Sopwith's protest in connection with' the fourth 'America's Cup race has been handled by' the committee responsible for adfudieating thereon. On the evidence which is now available it seems that Mr. Sopwith appealed to the American observer on the Endeavour to whether ten minutes before the close of the race would be sufi dent time for him to foist his protest flag, and the reply of the observer clearly indicates that the Tatter way of the opinion that would, Tt is assumed that observers fare placed on the competing yachts In the interests of the opponent, and to see that the rules are adhered to. fand it was natural that Mr. Sopwith should accept the opinion of his oporient's representative. That, of course, would not serve vary the rule in any way whatsoever, though it might very well have encouraged Mr. Sopwith to endeavour to win the race without recourse to rights which were undoubtedly his. © As was pointed out yesterday Mr. Sop-with "apparently sought to reserve his rights, seeking at the same time to win the race on merits. It waa 2 sporting thing to do, and undoubtedly wise, for if he had won despite the alleged fouls, but in the meantime had protested, he would undoubtedly have come in for considerable criticism. As it is the whole affair is unfortunate in the extreme, casting a gloom over a series of Faces the closeness of which, and the manner in which they were being fought out make them outstanding examples of very keen yachting. Despite 2 very natural chagrin that Mr. Sopwith must necessarily fect "the unhappy turn events have taken, there ig no doubt that he will accept the verdict of the umpires in the best British sporting tradition. Sailing committees are no more likely to be infallible than umpires in tennis or erickd, and if the ruling is taken as part of the game, as it should be, there ig a chance that present irritations may soon be removed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.