The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-20
PRESIDENT IN TRAINING.

While congress IS wrestling with the
proposition 10 pass bill to protect the
president. Theodore Roosevelt is learning
the art of jujutsu, as an additional means
OF self-protection.
When It Is remembered that the presi-
dent is physically very powerful man
that he can box with the best of anna
teurs, that he is highly skilled at all
kinds Of wrestling, that he knows the
savate the French art OF boxing with
the feet, IL will be seen thatlwhen he has
mastered the art of self defence, only
taught TO the mobiles OF Japan, he will be
"A very unsafe man for any one 10 tackle,
unless the attack comes through treach-
cry.
The news that Professor John ]. O'Brien
Is teaching the method of killing without
a mark" (the English of embok kwaD
was a surprise.
The professor has long been known as
the only teacher of that art in America.
lie was for ten years CHIEF of police OF
Nagasak, the port where probably more
desperate characters abound than any
other in the east lie was so popular
there that he was Initiated into the order
of Embolx Kwai the sole purpose of which
was to teach. perpetuate and protect the
secrets OF jujutsu.
In IL strength counts for little. Skill,
uuickness Of hand and eye. strong hand
grip, with the knowledge of the holds,
make a comparatively weak man match
for a man vastly superior in Drawn and
weight.
The art f. redolent OF eastern cruelty
except for the fact that It is Intended
primarily for defence. IL Is however,
speaking militarily, Observation-Disclosures.
Experts can do fearful things; by IL
arms can-be broken. bones wrenched from
tl,,I I.,r hon
of the leg fractured like pipe stems. and
even the neck broken Weapons are use
less no defence Is possible.
Its work Is so quick and sudden that
A. lacks all the elements OF the specta-
cular. and when exemplined upon the
stage Il is always "a FROST The spec
tators see "A big, powerful man walking
or rushing toward another man, slender,
erect. steady and watchful. a quick
movement and the big man Is writhing I'm
main on the floor, OF is so badly hurt that
nature merclfuly sends him relief.
Except that score can be handled as
quickly as they come, there is nothing
20 be seen 1t Is weird, and seems half
eastern magic. or what skeptical Ameri-
cans call "a fake" But no man who
ever met a master Of the art ever con-
cluded that there was anything OF the
fake about II.
So when President Roosevelt has added
the knowledge of this art TO his accom-
llishments. he will be a man wholly In
sane who will try 10 assault him and
allow him half a chance.
And Theodore Roosevelt horseman.
dead shot boxer. wrestler, savattem and
member OF tho Embok kwai VIII need
little am from congress or any but his
own splendid body, heart and brain TO
care for himself at close quarters.
oBrien wears on his necktie "a curious
bangle with japanese inscription that Is
the badge Of the japanese fraternity that
practices this art
OBrien goes 20 the white house twice
each day. once I'm the morning and again
I'm the evening. lie was there this morn
ing about IL and VIII be again tonight
81 O.
The utmost secrecy Is being observed
O'Brien positively refuses 90 talk about
what he II doing. and the president has
sealed the lips OF all IN the white house.