The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-03
GIQdiufOrS Auait The Signal To Open
 Bntfles Of Century
THAT BATTLE WILL BE ON SQUARE CERTAIN, AND CERTAIN, TOO, THAT JOHNSON WILL NOT BE IN- JURED BY SPECTATORS
BY w. W. NAUGHTON

Reno, New, July 2-tSpeciaD-The end is almost in sight now. All that outdoor work or indoor work can do | for Jim Jeffries and Jack Johnson has
 been done. They may sprint or stroll but for long distance trudging the dusty Nevada highways will know them
 no more. Today the punching bags ara
 dangling unmolested and the bruised
 faces of sparring partners are being given an opportunity to heal. It is taken for granted that the IT, l val heavyweights are in good condition and that nothing growing out of the
 mems preparation for the big fight has l been withheld.
 | It is the time for naming your choice
 and making your bet. that is. if you
 are a betting man. The excitement has become intense anG the public
 minds so sensitive that any kind of opinion almost leaves It's impress. | On one point there is more unanimity | than there was a month ago. It is felt 1t will be square fight-a bitter struggle between two men, to each of | wh om victory means more than 1t ever meant before.
 It is felt further that the better man will be not cramped in his efforts to I win. When the match was first made I heard men say I'd hate to be in Johnson's shoes if he is winning" The inference was that no crowd would stand for seeing the hope of the
 white race battered down by negro. Johnson Was Fearful | Not so long ago the same kind of talk was still being heard and 1t had its effect on Johnson. He asked Tex
 protection in the shape of determined
 men in case he showed himself su- perior to big Jim Jeffries. Personally, I do not believe that Johnson's head would have been injur- ed no matter where the event took place, but once the ewo fighters came In over the borders of Nevada, the event ceased to be the "clash of ths races" and Johnson's spirits rose. He feels that in this section his complex ion or his race will cut no figure. The
 winner will be cheered and the loser will not be a madk for execration. To
 
 state police and every kind of police that will be on duty around that ring
 have been told to Keep a sharp lookout for spectators who are inclined to re- vile. The first who hollers kill the dinge" or soak the big white dub" will be bounced upon without ceremony and will have few bumps to feel when he reaches the open.
 | What kind of fight will it be-? Here
 we have variety of ideas. A few days iso the feeling prevailed that Jeffries would go at Johnson open mouthed and | iemolish him before you could say Jack | Robinson.
 1 Jeff has discouraged the idea Ineiden- | tally. he has discouraged sorne of those
 who are close to him and have his in-
 terest at heart. The men referred to are little dubious of consequences anyhow
 because Jeffries has not practiced boxing l to the extent they consider necessary As l long as they felt he would make 1t a rush. l ing fight they did not think 1t mattered
 so much. however, as 1t was felt that with Jen's catapultic force and powers
 of resistance he would play with John sons cleverness.
 l Jeff, if his latest utterances are any guide, hasn't made up his mind to tear l to close quarters and emulate the whirl- wind.
 | Johnson can't hurt Jeff" say the Jeff
 crowd, and right here they become enthu-
 siastic while telling what human l Gibarltar big Jim has proved himself in
 former prize ring struggles. It is in-
 stanced that he has been punched and
 pounded by more forceful hitters than l Johnson ever knew how to be, and that he has yet to experience the sensation of being sent to the floor by the smash of the glove.
 | Jen Can Take Punishment l They point to Jeff's strong jaw and his l ron-ribbed frame. and they think that Johnson's best swings and uppercuts will affect him no more than a sprinkle of water. They tell of times when big Jim deliberately raised his arms to allow stall wart Gus Ruhlin to take full fling at the midriff with the right, and how he laugh ed sneeringly at Billy Madden, over in Ruhlin's angle, when Ruhlin landed. l Truth to tell, many members of the Jef- fries following believe the assimilating powers in question comprise Jeffries best l fighting asset. It Is thought that even if the Johnson lifting punches slash and
 sting and cover Jeffries' big broad face with blood. the big man will keep right on until such time as he can break down l Johnson's guard and bring Johnson to
 terms with weakening punches around the
 short ribs. A forecast of that kind seems
 to have no terror for Johnson. He Is as
 cool and confident now as he was when
 in camp at the ocean beach.
 remember once being close to Johnson when some one told of Jeffries' lean and
 bronxed appearance and seeming return to physical condition.
 'Yes." said Johnson, "but it's the old
 story. I could take any rattletrnp of an
 automobile and with some paint. grease l and yarnish make 1t look like new. If jtried to start on journey with 1t, though. l 1t would fall to pieces"
 Dwight 10, springville
 Alabama City, July 2.-(6pecial.)-' Dwight defeated Springville here this aft-