The San Francisco call., 1897-02-25
FITZ HAS
AN EYE IN
MOURNING
Trainer Hickey Lands on
the Big CorniShman's
C0untenance.
LIVELY BOUTS AT COOKS
RANCH.
The Authenticated Lad Plays
Even by Closing an Optic
for Roeber.
SETTLING THE DISPUTE OVER
THE RULES.
R feree Siler Hits Upon a Scheme
That Will Prevent Threatened
DisagreementS.
SETTLING THE DISPUTE OVER
THE RULES.
R feree Siler Hits Upon a Scheme
That Will Prevent Threatened
DiSagreementS.

CARSON, NEv, Feb. 24-George Siler,
the celebrated Chicago sportsman, who is
10 act as referee of the worlds champion
ship battle between Corbstt and Fltzsim-
mons, went out 10 Cooks ranch this
morning and put IN several hours OF earn
est and animsted conversation with the
Cornishman. 1t was all about Fitzsim-
mons recently developed and wholly
unexpected objection to that clause in the
Marquis of Queensberry rules which per-
mits either or both of the contestants to
hit with free arm in clinches and 20 put
in punch if possible in the breakaway.
Siler did not mInce words with Bob;
neither cid he essay to coerce him into
agreeing to fight under rules not to his
liking. What he did say was TO call the
lanky pugilist's atten tIon 10 the fact that,
having once agreed to let "eyervthing
go" in the mill, it would look bad for him
TO start in quibbling over technicalities at
this late stage of the game. Siler said
that SO far SIS he was concerned, he would
be willing 10 stand by any arrangement
the pugilists would agree upon, and he
would guarantee to decide the battle, If
necessary, upon the fulfillment or failure
he would insist upon would be an out-and-
out understanding between the principals
and the referee before the trio entered the
ring. He wanted no room left for COM
plants or misconceptions OF the rules
after the fight was over.
Fitzsimmons was stubborn at first. lie
even reiterated his declaration of Tuesday
afternoon that he would not fight If he
was compelled to adopt tactics he did not
like. But as the conversation wore along
ne became moro good-nstured and finally
worked himself into really resson& bic
frame of mind.
The point of the whole matter is Just
this" said Fitzsimmons, finally. II do
not intend TO announce thus early in the
game just what methods l am going to
employ in the ring with this man Corbett.
1t would be pretty how-do-you-do for
nae to notify him in advance as to whether
or not l am going 10 hit in the cIinches,
or break away fair and square.
THAT would give him an opportunity
10 devote all OF his practicing hours to
discovering means for counteracting my
assaults. No, l say, let all this go until
We step into the ring. 1t will then be time
enough to announce what rules shall gov
ern US, and neither of US will have any
advantage over the other. Is not that
fair enough? do not want to be accused
OF quibbling over trifles nor of showing
any sign OF the white feather, but want
a square deal and propose to have it.
NV entire professional future depends
upon the result of this fight, and l dom t
propose TO agree to anything governing
the conduct of The contest which is apt
TO put me 10 a disadvantage. That's all
there is to it,
Siler evolved theory tonight which he
assured me he thought would solve the
whole difficulty and probably send the
men into the ring together on St Patrick s
day on comparatively amicable terms. At
the same time Siler is not at all pleased
with the way FItzsimmons is acting.
W hen both Corbett and the Cornishman
agreed that they would fight under the
plain Marquis of Queensberry rules, thus
permitting them 10 use their fists in the
clnches aud breaks the referee was i'm
mensely pleased, for he realized that such
an understanding would remove load of
responsibility from his shoulders and do
away with the possibility of procrastina-
lion in the ring over alleged fouls and
supposed unfair tactics. But Fitzsim-
mons objections to the elinch clause
broke open the old sore and it began to
look as though there would be no end OF
trouble in consequence.
SIler's plan now is the best that could
be devised under the circumstances for
averting the threatened rupture. He
proposes to compile Immediately COM
plete sci of the uDadulterated and I'M.
cd of
and provide each Of the big fellows with s
d. copy. These they will be allowed to pom
der over for q week or two, and when
Siler thinks they Nave had ample time to
decide whether or not they will abide by
these rules he will favor them with visit
and ask for their ultimatum. II both
agree to accept the regulations as they
stand, why there is an end to the trouble
or if they mutually decide upon any
amendment it will be equally satisfactory
10 the referee. On the other hand, if they
disagree-one want ng one thing and the
other something else-then SIler proposes
10 take the law into his own hands, as he
has perfect right 10 do, and arbitrarily
announce the rules that will govern the
contest.
In the event that the latter course
should be found compulsory Siler viii
favor Fitzsimmons to the extent that be
viii not issue his proclamation until the
morning of the battle That seems TO bs
what the Cornishman wants. his aim be
ing TO prevent Corbett from concentrating
his preparatory work on any one particu
lar line of fighting. Corbett must do some
guessing. But just the same it seems Il
be q foregone conclusion that if the final
decision as regards the tactics to be TO-,
lowed is left to Siler he will decree thai
hitting in the cIiaches and breaks will be
tolerated and shall not be considered foul
There was another new arrival at Fitz.