A BRUTAL STRUGGLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 204, 22 May 1908, Page 2

A BRUTAL STRUGGLE.

HACKENSCHMIDT'S DEFEAT. FACE BATTERED AND BODY TORN. The London "Daily Telegraph's" account of tho -Hackenschmidt-Gotch wrestling match contains the following references:— "All through Gotch used foul tactics of a sort that would have justified the referee in disqualifying him. Ho jammed his thumbs into HackenschmidtV eyes on one occasion. ■When .Hackenschmidt- had ' twisted tho American's" thumb, Gotch "retaliated by smashing him time and again on the face with his fists until blood spurted out and ran over the Russian's face and body in streams. Time and again ho butted vigorously. - "Tho end of the contest was dramatic. Hackenschmidt, with eyes fearfully lacerated, " nostrils torn, lips and ■ face 'batterer* almost beyond, recognition, smeared from head to : foot with .' his own. blood'. that streamed from a score of wounds on his head and arms and body, went to the mat at lastwith Gotch on top. He was half-blinded,-dazed, and weary. Immediately Gotcli leaped on him like a savage, driving his knees into Hackenschmidt's body; and roughing in the style used when football; ill America was legalised manslaughter. Tho Russian suddenly Quitted , tho Rtnnjgle, and appealed to the referee, as lie had done a score of times during the bout. The audience hissed and hoted., Despite the . disgraceful exhibition, many of tlie spectators rushed '"to the ring and bore Gotch out on their shoulders-in-triumph as the world's champion. It is ' not • suggested that Hackenschmidt, despite his provocation,- acted in an unsportsmanlike way; and - even tho referee said he. was gentlemanly." A Chicago correspondent speaks of gouging and blows with' clenched fists, to 'which Hackenschmidt, who went into the ring against his doctor's orders, sternly objected. Gotch was in .the . prime of conditio#, as lithe and springy as a panther. The; odds were 4 to 1 on fiackensclimidt' at the start. Gotch was tripped soon after the struggle began; but by a lightning movement lie evaded being. caught in the hold, and subsequently Hackenschmidt. missed carrying out several attempts to secure tho head, wrist, and low holds. Air this time,'encouraged by the cries of' the audience, • the American set to work to', worry Hacken-. Schmidt by gouging his eyes with his fingers, and even using his fist to bring about a relaxation of Hackenschmidt's body strength. By these tactics, added to con-. sistont watchfulness and unfailing agility, Gotch was ablo. to conserve his strength until, after sonic forty minutes' strugglo, Hackenschmidt snowed ithe first sign of -flagging energy. - ' . At last, after the match had proceeded an. hour and fifty-five minutes, Gotch .landed his opponent on the mat with a sudden jerk. For six minutes tho struggle was fast and ' furiousand even the " tough " element in ;the audienco held its breath and watched silent' and intent. Gotch put' into play'all the force, alertuess, skill, 'and determina-' tion at his command. Realising'that the supreme- moment was before him ho heaved and twisted, mauling Hackenschmidt remorselessly; and kneeling, toeing, - and gripping, lio seemed to have the.Russian in' bis power. Once he was so far towards a fall that he was able to raise Hackenschnlidt bodily and dash him down again..' But he- ; could not secure a fall to the satisfaction :of tho referee: and at last Hackenschmidt, :.- gathering all his powers -for a filial effort, throw Gotch asido, and arose tottering: and breathless. Hackenschmidt pointed out~thafc he had not yet been- thrown,f.but-declared he would not continue under: those methods. Tho referee at once declared Gotch to be.the vict-or. On that pandemonium broke loose, the entire gathering .'waving flags, and yelling in glorification'-.of- tbe American-victory -,