New-York tribune., 1908-03-14
HACKENSCHMIDT HERE.
"Russian Lion" ArriUes to Prepare
for Match uith Frank GOtch.

Georges Hackenschmidt. the champion wrestler
of the world. arrived on the Lusitanla yesterday
afternoon to prepare for his match with FRANK
Gotch WHICH will take place at Dexter's Pavilion.
Chicago, on April g. He met at the Cunafd
pier by w. w. Wittig. who arranged the match
between the worlds champion and the champion
of America, and was taken by him to the fio,ei
Astor. where he will make his headquarters oufihs
his stay in this city.
A crowd of at least thousand persons hned
West street and cheered the champion as he
climbed into waiting automobile One enthusiast
fought his way TO the step of the mach1he anu III
sisted that Hackerschmidt should write his name
In the autograph album which he presented. the
Russian lion consented. with a laugh ana enc
tied another cheer by his readiness to meet the
wishes of his casual acquaintance
On his arrival at the hotel Hackenschmidt dis
cussed the possibilities of the approaching contest
In a manner at frank and modest
First he said, Il should like to nave 1t
understood by all the people of America that
whatever may be the outcome oi the match pe
tween Gotch and myself, it VIII be an apsoiuteis
square contest in which the best man VIII VIII
] know that there have been wrestling matches IN
which this was not actually the case. have no
desire to mention specific instances. and do not
think it is necessary for me TO do so
What / am anxious to make plain is that on
this occasion a real championship match will be
desided and that the best man Will receive tie
decision from the referee. Whatever may OF
may not have done, | have always wrestled on
the square and 1 intend to do so in Chicago
Il DO not know much about Gotch, but Go
about Jenkins. with whom wrestled when was
in America the last time Jenkins is undoubtedly
a very good man. and if Gotch has secured one or
two decisions over him he is not to tie despised
Certainly 1 expect to realize when get through
with him that have been in q wrestling match L
do not bank too much the fact that IL TOOK
Gotch whole hour to throw Rogers twice Rogers
is a very heavy man. and being required to act
o,I,r +ho jaPop he set 1rn a
experienced wrestler would consider at all easy
Il have heard a great deal about Gotch's 'cele-
brated toe hold bat must confess that nave
not the faintest conception OF what the zoe hoid
really lis. AS you aware my particular S'Jlo
Of wrestling is tie Greco Roman, and do not
know of all the favorite tricks of the various ex-
ponents of the catch -as-catch-can' style. sup
pose l shall have to take ichance on this Toe
hold, but / shall do my best to meet the he" oe-
mand. l wish you would illustrate for me mere
end the general idea.
Whereupon Hackenschmdt dropped on all tours
on the floor of his room anA submitted to the
demonstration of Gotchs favorite wrestling trick.
After a moment or two he rose TO his feet and
nodded understandingy.
Thank you he said. Now that l have some
thing of the idea / shall probably know more about
it when 1 have been in the gymnasium for few
days in company with American Wrestlers VINO are
used to seeing the hold used
IT shall make no excuses about my condition If
do not win. AS all the world knows. I have had
more or less trouble with my knee recently. This
7 ascribe to the wretched atmospheric condi-
tons in London In any event l doubt very
much whether I shall spend another winter in Lon
don. The constantly recurring fogs and the damp
ness of the climate generally do not appeal TO
and l am afraid that l shall have to spend my
winters elsewhere in the future AT the same time
am perfectly fit 10 wrestle. or should not
be here.
"On board ship my principal exercise in
other passengers
the form of competition in the potato race. If
has not tried this shipboard 1t is surpris-
ing how much it will demand of the system 1 pre-
it because l altogether novice
that it harder work for than the ten min
utes on the mat with of my partners"
Hackenschmidt's first appearance in this
try during his present tour will be at the Grand
Central Palace Monday evening