Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-15
THAT BOXING MATCH.
Secretary Bonaparte Makes a
Personal Investigation.
THE FACTS DISCLOSED
BOTH MEN WERE IN GOOD PHYsI-
CAL CONDITION.
Result Of Court Of Inquiry-Secretary
Deplores Death Of One Of
the Combatants.
THE FACTS DISCLOSED

Secretary Bonaparte today made a per-
sonal investigation of the alleged prize fight
on the cruiser Yankee, which resulted in
the death of one of the participants, an &C.
count of which was reproduced In yester-
days Star from the New York World. The
facts, disclosed by the investigation,
were that Rafael Cohen, a coal passer on
the Yankee. who had defeated all the men
in his class on that vessel. challenged J. r.
Johnson, colored seaman on the flagship
Olympia, who was the acknowledged cham
pion on that vessel. to a sparring bout for
ten rounds to a decision for purse of 500.
and that early in the contest it was demon
strated that Cohen was outclassed and was
urged to stop, but refused to do so. saying
he would win out in the end. 1t was fur
Their shown that Johnson was unusually
lienient with his antagonist In the latter
part of the contest and knocked him out
as the only way to end the struggle.
Cohen died several hours after the termlna-
ton of the battle from hemorrhage of the
brain. but the surgeons were unable to
tell whether the injury was caused by a
blow from Johnson's fist or by his head
striking a post.
The contest took place on the Yankee Off
Monte Cristo. San Domingo. July e. under
naval athletic rules in the presence of onl-
GERS and men, including medical officers,
who reported tnat DOln men were III Soou
condition and who gave the defeated man
prompt and thorough medical attention.
Secretary Bonaparte's Remarks.
Secretary Bonaparte talked freely to the
newspaper men regarding the affair and
deplored the publication of the sensational
stories about 1t as not being warranted by
the facts. He said that the naval investi-
CATION conducted by Rear Admiral Brad
ford commanding the station, had been
thorough and impartial: that the testimony
shows that the boxing contest was fea-
ture of an athletic meeting held under pro-
visions OF the regulations: that five-ounce
gloves were used and that the prize Of $50
was subscribed. The testimony showed that
Cohen suggested that bout be arranged
for him with Johnson and that during the
contest it was suggested to Cohen that he
had better stop. since he was evidently out
pointed. but he insisted that he would go
on, saying he could win yet Medical at
tention was given him Immediately after
the contest, and when the seriousness of
his condition became apparent the senior
medical officer of the fleet was sent for.
but arrived too late to be Of assistance.
Mr. Bonaparte said further that the testi-
mcny showed that Cohen was treated by
his adversary with all possible considera-
ton and that the contest was marked with
h!bition was witnessed by a large number
OF officers and men, and according to the
testimony everything was properly con-
Quoted and well regulated. Mr.. Bonaparte
said that from an Investigation of the
records he saw nothing wrongful. although.
of course, 1t was extremely deplorable that
Cohen should have lost his life, and that
boxing and athletics generally are encour-
aged in the service, because of their bene-
fetal influence on the health of the men, as
we'll as to relieve the tedium of a sailors
life. The court found that neither Cohen's
adversary nor any other person was in any
further action be taken. Admiral Brad
ford approved the findings of the court, and
the department finds nothing that calls for
action on its part in the matter.
Findings Of the Court.
The findings of the court of inquiry are
as follows:
u. That an athletic entertainment was
given aboard the L. S. s. Yankee, at Monte
Christi Dominican Republic. on the evening
of July s, 1905 in accordance with article
SO of the fleet regulations for the north At
lantic fleet, dated June Is, 1908. and article
392, paragraph 2. United States navy regu-
la lions, 1905. This entertainment was at
tended by a large number of officers and
enlisted men from the various ships of the
in port.
80. That a feature Of said entertainment
was a boxing contest between ]. r. john
son. seaman. United States navy. and r.
Cohen. coal passer, United States navy. for
a prize OF fifty dollars. which was SUBJ
scribed by the officers Of the U. 8. s.
Yankee; and that the arrangements for
said contest were similar to those custo-
marily governing such contests on board
ship
20. That the contest was conducted in a
proper and orderly manner. according to
established rules governing such contests.
and the contestants were good-natured
throughout. Also that there was no Ill
feeling between the contestants, or undue
feeling shown by the spectators.
"A. That Cohen was DEBATED, and was
taken to the sick bay of the U. g. S. Yankee
at the close of the contest, where he re-
ceived medical attention, but died about
two hours later, namely, at 11:2O pm. of
hemorrhage of the brain.
IS. That the hemorrhage of the brain was
caused by a blow. or blows, on the head
given directly by johnson, or received in
falling direct incident of the con-
test.
"6 That J. r. Johnson seaman. United
States navy. Is in no way culpable for the
death of r. Cohen. coal passer, United
States navy, as the evidence shows that the
contest was in all respects lawful one;
that the actions of j. r. Johnson, United
States navy. were not dictated by malice
and that 1t was accidental that the injuries
received by r. Cohen, coal passer United
States navy. resulted in his death.
u. That no culpability attaches to any
person for the death of r. Cohen coal
passer United States navy.
In the opinion of the court. no further
proceedings should be had against any
person in this case"