New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-25
LACK" JOHNSON TELLS
WHY HE'S NOT GUILTY
Negro Heavyweight Explains
Why "White Slave" Charges
Have No Basis in Fact.
WON'T COME BACK TO U. S.
Hopes to See in Heaven the
Many Friends He Has in This
Country-Appears on
Stage To- day.
IBy Cable to The Tribune. ]

by Cable TO The Tribune.
London, Aug 25.-"Jack" Johnson.
the negro heavyweight arrived in Lon
don yesterday from Paris. Henry
Tozer manager of the London syndi-
cate halls owning the Euston and the
South London music halls, at which
Johnson is billed TO appear tonight,
had not reached any decision up TO a
late hour last night as to cancelling
his arrangements.
Johnson crossed from Boulogne TO
Folkestone by the midday steamer. AS
II berthed he and his white wife were
seen seated in an automobile on the
main deck In this car they later drove
to London. Johnson stated last even
ing that he intended to appear at the
two music halls tonight.
All Mr. ToZer would say when in
formed of Johnson's statement was
that he would see Johnson this morn
ing and hear his side of the question
before coming TO a final decision. AT
Bayswater, where he is staying, john
son said:
"Onlv sickness will prevent me from
appearing ! am not going TO do much
boxing here this time, but am going
TO give lectures My salary will be
about $4,000 a week" Asked If he
would 60 back 10 the United States ne
replied: -
II have a good many friends there
but when | meet them, II there is such
place as Heaven, | hope 1t will be IN
Heaven and not in America. Ihere Is
no Justice for me in America AFTER
beating Jeffres. Those in London VINO
know me know l am not the sort Oh
man some people and the newspapers
are making me out 10 be. They know
/ am honest and straight, and know
that il had lain down TO Jeffries
could have made enough never TO nave
needed TO look at music halls again.
have done nothing TO be ashamed OF. 1
have been wickedly misrepresented'
and when the public knows the facts
of the case they will sympathize win
me and not condemn me. Crimlnai
proceedings were brought against me
solely on the ground that my wife. be-
ing a native Of Ohio, had Joined me in
Illinois"
At this point RS. Johnson, who was
present, corroborated her husbands
statement, adding: They kept me in
a house of detention for five weeks be-
cause | would not lie about Jack.
They wanted me 10 say / had been
taken from one state to another. but
this was not the case" Johnson then
resumed:
This charge against me fell TO the
ground, so another was concocted.
Two and half years previously girl
| knew named Schneider got my New
York address from a friend and wired
me for help. / wired back. asking her
what she wanted, and she replied $40.
This money | sent her. not even seeing
her, she being in Chicago. on getting
the money she travelled from Chicago
TO Pittsburgh. so ] afterward learned
and a second charge was preferred
against me that ii was | myself VINO
removed this girl from one state to
another. ! did no such thing. | simply
helped her with money, but my defence
was useless.
Directly / saw the jury / told my
lawyer that eleven were for life con-
viction and one for hanging. They
were men from away back behind Chi
cago. and my color was enough. The
lawyers got $4,000 cash out of me
and were after my automobile ana
everything else had, but these made
over to Mrs. Johnson"
Johnson is inviting the Rev. F. B.
Meyer TO meet him on Wednesday In
the presence Of representatives OF the
press.