The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-18
JOHN |. SULLIVAN AND CUBA
The Ex-ChampiOn FaYOrS In
mediate Intervention.
WE HAVE STOOD TOO MUCH
Contrasts the Policy OF This Coun-
try with That of 1ngIand-John
Bulls Idea OF Bullets First and
Investigation AIter-Has Taken "A
Great Interest IN Cuba.

Excuse the way ! look" called John
/. Sullivan, ex-champion of the fstic
arena. yesterday, as he got out of bed
a little before noon TO admit a Times
man. You see" he continued, u work
late and by the time I've gotten home
and eaten enough to keep me from for
getting how, it's almost time for other
people to be getting up
The great fighter was dressed more pic
turesqueIy than convenuonally. He had
quite finished dressing one-half Of him
self while the other was still covered by
a sleeping jacket. John l.. has put on
great dead of flesh since he was last here
and his broad shoulders seemed glEantc
in their Scant covering. His arms, too.
have changed, the great muscles that for
merly stood out like whip-cOrds having
given way to flesh that is rather habby
than otherwise. But Sullivan's big fists
are stiii evidence OF his strength and q
silent menace TO anyone who would be
likely 10 forget that only few years
have elapsed since the man from Bos-
ton" was the almost undisputed cham
piOn of the prize ring.
Then other marks remain by which the
boxer might be identified The fact that
Thespis wore no beard and that actors
have followed his example. almost with
not forced John /. into sacrificing his
mustache When he speaks it is, as al
ways in the days Of yOre, from the
right corner of his mouth. and his deep
voice. like water. seems to gather power
from the unusually small opening through
which il is allowed TO come. In response
to 4 question as TO what subject he must
talk on the interviewer suggested that
some interest was felt in the possibility
that he might, at some time. re-enter the
ring.
No" said Sullivan, throwing himself
back uDon his bed. I've finished for
good. ] don't care TO do any more fight
ing. and ] am too fat TO train again.
Then The business is in a pretty bad
state. Corbett and Fitzsimmons have
done more to injure boxing than any set
Of ministers that ever began talking
about it. People get tired of herring of
their bouts instead OF seeing them. the
future Of the ring doesn't look well just
now. Maher is e mighty good man. but
hc has had pretty bad luck. FitZ licked
him and another chap he could have
knocked out rs easy as he could have
lifted this pillow th-ashed him. Stin he
has lots Of time, and ! expect good deal
from him. Kid Mccoy is anofher e-
cellent man, only he must keep away
from the big fellows until he gets his
growth Hes very young yet. and a
fight with Corbett or Fftzsimmons could
only end one way. If he can wait a little
while he's got a good show for the cham
nship-providing monographs don't
act as substitutes by then.
Whichever way things go there is nC
prospect Of my getting back. ! guess II
stay in the theatrical business 4 year ol
two more. ] can 90 into n Job in New
York any time ! want TO, and there art
plenty Of mon waiting TO help me into tlu
saloon business. but there's no use of IN
going 10 that as long as ] can maxi
money in the show line Of course
know ] n no actor. but people ike to Sc
M and ] punch the bag and spar enougl
10 draw good houses. But ] don't sup
pose III hold to II more than q year o
so.
Il think I just said that my nghtfn
DAYS were over. 1 don't mean that i
every way. I'm aching for a chance [
get a whack at those Spaniards. Thi
cuban affair Is right in my line and l.
give hundred or so myself 10 have
show at IT, 1 make the price large be
cause , don't think we have any chanC
Tor war. and the more / read about
the less d believe that we viii. The me
who have the money over in Wall Stree
seem TO be running the policy Of this Coy
ernment. and we just bow 10 them. ] sa-
81 intlmated the other day that McKinle
IS working hard TO get Congress off hi
hands before doing anything in this Main
matter He'll DO it, too, if Hanna ca
y -
shame'" And Sullivan brought mis- bi
fist down on table standing next TO tn
bed with a resounding whack
i don't want TO be thought a lingo.
he continued, but I'd like 70 bet thar
fhe population Of Texas alone was turne
loose on those dirty Spaniards they
wipe the earth SO clean of them that Ha
Tana would have nothing but 'Englis
Spoken Here signs for the next hundre
years. il makes me mad as buIl eyer
tine j talk of this Maine affair. Think q
those poor fellows going 10 sleep al nigh
on a fine ship ike that and being blow
50 high before morning that il took ther
longer 20 come down than TO 20 up. Tn
idea thar such thing could be an az
cldent is preposter0us. Anyone wit
common sense VIII see In q minute tha
that was the result Of a conspiracy Thos
Spaniards are pack OF cowardly scour
crels You cant make EN- fight fair an
square TO save your neck. They'll be q
nice as dancing master to your far
but he minute you turn rhcr do Tho Dag
Trick and stick you in the back with
knife. Accidents Ike that 10 the Main
VIII happen every time we send boz
near enough TO Havana 10 be blown
pieces without the chance Of US gusDec
ing anything.
III England had had this happen
her, do you think that she'd be sDcndin
money iu investigating one thing I az
ing first and taking apologies afterU.sr,
That has gained that country respect a
over the world. Our foreign policy
entirely too easy. and we viii never haI
the right 10 be considered great until II
changed.
Every European nation Of any sis
takes 10 badgering US now on the sIigh
est prov0cation. see that Austria ma
demand an indemnity for the strikers xii
ed over in Penns ylvanIa- She Wouldn
think Of doing that with any other coul
try on the globe. The idea OF protestir
against our right 10 keep other peop
from running over our laws and 10 mai
tain order is funuier than anything har
ever heard Of And now she evidently Or
poses 10 get even with US by siding wi
Spain.
I'm afraid there's only one thing tn
will teach those countries that our mo
% IS Hands Of and that Is an ALLAN
with England. or course, there are
hundred arguments against that but II
the only thing 7 see ahead unless the A
rniuistrat tions TO come have some bac
b0ne-and IL don't look as though tn
would unless some doctor operated
them and put Il in. Those Englishm
speak the same language we do ar
what's more than that, they have {
same blood That kind OF makes Il 10
as 81 2 union OF the two countries woU
have 10 occur sooner or later, doesn't
But whatever way other things
ft don't alter the fact that the Spaniar
are insulting Us all the time and IN
we stand It. D-n me, but 1t seems
shame that those little puppies can do
they Tiease with a country like this.
course that $50 900 was a big lesson,
81 won't do much good in any other w
81 - !. },