New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-26
Dusky PugiIist as Spectator
ExCiteS Demonstration as
He Tries to Speak.
HE RENOUNCES AMERICA
Says He Has Applied to Become
French Citizen-His Music
Hall Engagements Have
Been Postponed"
lBy Cable TO The Tribune

IBy Cable to The Tribune.
London. Aug 26.-Following a storm
OF verbal and written protests. Jack
Johnson. the American negro pugilist.
has decided, after all, not TO appear at
the Euston and South London Music
Halls tonight, and Henry Tozer. the
booking agent for these theatres, gave
out an official notice that the engage
ment has been postponed" Tozer said
the syndicate owning the halls had
decided talk over matters with john
son, who desired TO deal thoroughly
with criticisms made, and, with this
object. arranging certain interviews
and taking other measures, to meet the
allegations"
The scheme has certain smack OF the
clever press agent who wants To swing
public sentiment in favor Of the negro.
Johnson Is giving out all sorts of
staggering interviews TO the effect
that "he did nothing wrong. but only
played the man; and all I want rs
Justice" For instance, he says the
campaign against me here has been
manufactured in America, TO try 10
prevent me from getting engagements
over here. Remember. the charges
brought against me were trumped up,
and could not. If true. be regarded Us
an offence in England"
He says, in relation 10 the Belle
Schneider case. 81 only tried to help a
poor girl with money and a railroad
ticket"
He now wants TO meet, before re-
porters. the minister who opposes his
appearance, and to discuss with him
the character OF the black fighter
Exciting scenes marked the close OF
the first performance last night at the
Euston Music Hall when Johnson made
his first appearance in a box after the
fall Of the curtain, with Cohen, mana
ger Of the theatre. When Johnson APP
peared. the audience was already pre-
pairing to leave. but his presence de-
layed their departure. storm OF
Kisses broke out. but these were
promptly overwhelmed by great gusts
of cheering. which went on ceasclessly
for ten minutes Johnson tried %
speak. but the roars Of cheering and
the general commotion prevented his
being heard Cohen also attempted to
make speech. but the audience re-
fused 10 listen.
In the mean time attempts were
made TO clear the theatre. This being
found impossible. after an interval
Cohen was seen 10 speak 10 Johnson.
who. after kissing his hand 10 the peo-
pie. left the box. The audience. still
cheering wildly. trooped out OF the
theatre.
Similar indications Of feeling, aroused
by controversy over JOhnson's pro-
jected appearance at the theatre,
showed themselves during the perform
ance. Both Maidie Scott and Beth
Tate. who had protested against John
sons appearance. met with hostile re-
ceptions.
Johnson made another appearance at
the second performance. arriving half
way through the programme, which
did not include turns by either Maidie
Scott or Beth Tate After each turn
he rose and bowed 10 the accompani-
ment Of cheering. AT the end Of the
performance. after the manager OF the
hall called for three cheers for him,
Johnson stated that he expected TO full
I'll his contract after a few days In
terval.
Johnson. according to his own state
ment last night is no longer a citizen
OF the United States. He said: Last
Thursday / went TO the chief OF the
Paris police and took out my first
papers for naturalization as a citizen
of the French Republic l own prop
erty in Paris. and expect TO vote at
the elections there in the fall"