The San Francisco call., 1909-03-10

VICTORIA, B. G, March 9.-Jack
Johnson and his white wife former
Philadelphia woman who threw in her
lot with him after the fight in sgd
ney. and Sam Fitzpatrick, who is no
longer manager of the big black cham
pion, having split with him owing TO
the woman in the case. arrived this
morning by the Canadian-Australian
liner Makura from Sydney. Johnson
unreservedly declared his Willingness
10 meet Jeffries or any other man.
I am willing to meet Jeffries; / am
willing to meet any man in the world
and I don't think any one can get a de-
cision over me, much less put me out.
IT amuses me to hear this talk Of JEFF
fries claiming the championship. Why,
when a mayor leaves Office, he's an eN-
mayor isn't ne? When champion
leaves the ring he's an ex-champion.
Well that is Jen; he wants to Try to
get the championship back and I'm will
ing 10 take him on
no. I'm not making any restrictions.
IN all the notices 1 have seen it's all
what Jeffries will take. What's the
matter with what Johnson will take?
Tn the champion. amt II / want a
winners and losers end: 1 don't care
what il is. SO and 40 or IS and 25, but
there's got to be a winners and loser ;
end. That's how it was with Burns.
JEFF MUST SEE him
Il knew / could get him and I fol-
lowed him around the world before
got on with him at sydney to show the
people that / could do ii. II Jenries
wants a go. as the papers say, he's
got 10 see me and there's got to be d
winners and losers end
1t is doubtful, according to the ar
rangements made by Johnson, whether
any fight could be brought on Wa.
Jefries, Ketchel or any other man
within six months. While his plans
are not absolute, he limited al willing
ness to change them il anything big
was hung up for match with hetCnel
johnson intends TO devote several
months 70 q thea trical engagement
signed with the oxford and Para gon
syndicate in England for the Lonuon
halls, and after an English tour 10
tour France and Germany.
Johnson viii leave the MaSura al
Vancouver and proceed tomorrow
morning to Chicago. arriving there
Saturday. he VIII continue his journey
10 Galveston on Monday. arriving al
his Texas home on Wednesday When
his attention was drawn TO the Gal
weston dispatch announcing the forma-
1ion OF committees 10 arrange a parade
and receDton at Galveston his eyes
Srafkitu diiG ne showed llS EOlQ tipped
teeth with that historic grin and said.
Tell them I'll be there
WILLING FOR I&ETCHEL
Asked whether he intended to ar
range a match with IGetchel he said
everything depends on the offering. II
WAS doubtful. though. II anything could
be brought of until after his theafrica
tour.
Johnson was much interested in JEFF
fries condition. A san Francisco writer
who met him on arrival was asked IN
this regard several times.
can Jefries get into shape2" John
son inquired. and only shrug OF
shoulders greeted the question. Mex
moment Johnson replied with emphasis
10 a local interviewer.
I'm willing to fight Jeffries or any
other man..
Johnson was asked regarding the
story told in New York by George Ber-
nard, an Australian sporting man. that
before the fight at sydney Johnson and
llis manager Fitzpatrick received al
offer Of $4,000 in cash to throw the
night to Burns but they turned the
proposition down cold. The colorec
champion said:
Il don't think that's ri~ht. ] don'i
know what they might have wanted to
DO. but you see they were afraid to