WELLS SAVED.

Mataura Ensign, 2 November 1911, Page 4

WELLS SAVED.

JOHNSON FIGHT PROHIBITED. THE NEGRO TO RETIRE. Writing from IxHidon on September 29 the special corresj)ondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph* refers in an interesting article to the prohibited fight of Johnson with Wells. He states: --Wells has heeu saved. The tight is not to take place at Earl's Court, or anywhere else, and Johnson is to retire from the ring. Phenomenal interjust was shown in the campaign to stop !the fight. The fatal object to the en jcounter was not a matter of Mack versus white, nor the degrading influence 'of boxing matches generally. The j fighting spirit is still in the people of ; these islands, and there would have ! hcen few to raise their voices against the Johnson-Wells match, if there had been a ghost of a chance of the white man winning. It was felt that Wells I was taking the ring not because he i thought, for a moment he could whip I the negro, hut merely in order that he j might make €2OOO. j Prior to the proceedings at Boni street on Wednesday the Court was j rushed by the public, who broke through the police cordons and packed j every corner. # The case was not held icheaply by the Crown, and the Solici- ! tor-General. Sir John Simon, appeared [to prosecute. And the promoter was I to have been represented by Mr F. E. I Smith, the brilliant King's Counsel, who has (suddenly become a great force mi the Unionist side of -politics. Mr Smith, howover, was out of town, and . could not be present on the opening | day. This led Johnson to decide that ihe would conduct his cave for himself. I And the groat black—bum showman tw | he is—-never appeared happier, or more jut iiis ease. He was the hero of the (occasion. -Mighty cheers greeted the j arrival of his big motor car outside. { He loomed large above the crowd as he pressed through the court, and at once |conini< r/od to play the game, "Howdy, •howdy." he called to his friends, as he ' rceogniscd them close behind the press, his lot'nno of half a dozen colored and white assistants. From the wide expansc <>• white-frilled shirt front flashed three big diamonds. More jewels. [sparklet from his left baud, and he ! smiled :.il the white with a sense of | satisfaction and su|>eriority. "It's a big Iki'i- e," he remarket!. "Ah guess we're going some.'' He bowed low, as he t<x>k his seat, and announced "Ah appear '.or maself." The defence appealed i: 'r an adjournment to give Mr F. K. Smith time to arrive, and the. SoliciUr •-General remarked, "But I understand, Mr Johnson will defend himself.'' "Ah-s. '-lute-Iy," replied the negro. and the court, in the highest good humor. r.-x:ked with laughter. hi tie course of his o]>ening statement, tiro Solicitor-General referred to Jeffries, as having Ikhmi knocked out by "Mr Jackson." "Mr Johnson, if .von please," wat» the instant correction. Wolis' api>earanee was in marked contnts; He is the gentlest-looking. aspin.hi. have ever had for the chai.'tpi"'- ship in pubilistn. Beside the negro i e apjHatred wry slight, and , even weak. They appeared the Lion and tie Lamb of their profession. They shoue..; thcnr-elvcs to be the best ■>( fri-'iris. and chatted together all through the hearing. Hinurt.inooiisly with the proceedings at B-.-w-'lroet. Mr Justice Lush was. luarinj; :hc injunction by the Freeholders, .ii*' he decided against the fight. Hem-,, tl.o collapse of the case at Bowstreet. Meanwhile Johnson had challenged i*r F. 15. Meyer, who led the op|x>s>ti«.)! to the ilght. to a debate on any vuh.|o:i from the Bible to the stars.

j I uillT' said Dr. Meyer, "discuss the ] new <•'..!..''t with him. I can't put down : L"to(*v« Enough, for that. is too much j for a ;•■/!• parson like me. You havw ;to b« ... fighter to have a call on CHXHJ." j J>>;:«.-v, retires from the ring and ! iiiii'. go :io the motor business. MeanIs !<• ■• :« still talking. "Tli<« idea !-f .ill !' » nonsense atuiut whiles and Iblacn.v England owns India, one of ;t!i" ..(•...-i couiiilies in the world, twhi'f•■■ arc thousands of colored soldi, t--; ». ady to carry tho gun and , right !•■• hi.'.v, when she needs them. ! Would KngJand despise her black ■soldiers ■> thoi-.' was war? 1 am disjgiisrcil :, ih Knghuid. When I mmi< I here I would have taken a rifle and jfonyhf v.; her. I would not do fo now. !Tl„v •,:.':. about brutality. Well, 1 ih:i\«' ',-■, " through some big fights. Can I voi: s.;-, ;.:,y bruises about me? Do I ; look ;.' .1 i bail been hurt? Ain't. 1 pivttv j*ci! for .SI? Tiger and lion met i; w.cirt to-day. Did they behave ;;s •.'.'■i.v'h they hated one another? H Ix. :.'.;.' t. killed in this country, it wotr: ;:.ako much difference to me. Hut a. 7.'U affect Wells and thousands of «ih<:- young boxers, who are coming om. « i<.avo earned CoTj.OOO out of li'-Vi'. >g in the last five years, and I •ikix :hat will last, me till the Hood i-";:tl.-s r '-alls me aliove." Am" tho newspaper correspondent whv r. jx.Tin this interview f>ays that ••the ).:t?« touch of piety was obviou*Iv V.1.". «'."