El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-01-26
French Nation Is Rapidly
Learning Fighting Game
Though France Has Produced No World Beaters She Is
Headed That Way and lighting, Not Theatrieals
in Ring Is Demanded; Partisan Reports
Say that Johnson Is About Through.
RY w. w. NAUGHToN.

n AN FRANCISCO, CAL Jan. 25.-There
is certainly no sign Of decadence about
4 the French nation. 1t is quick TO
originate and quick to learn, and in
many fields Of endeavor it is quick to take
the lead For proof Of this, reflect a mo-
ment on what France had added to the sum
Of the worlds knowledge in connection with
autOmObiliug and air navigation And, with
out wishing to drop too suddenly from the
sublime to the commonplace think OF how
France has developed in the pugilistic line
It is comparatively but few years since
boxing became a fad in Paris, and few
thought the sport would gain a foothold
there.
Fewer stin dreamed that France would
develop any boxers. It was felt that the
native Gaul was too mercurial to suffer and
walt and learn to recognize the opportupe
moment in a bruising battle which might
prove path to success.
But the French have done nObly ring
men, As yet they have not produced any
0ut ana OUT world oeaJers' Dur they axe
heading that way. To hint five years ago
that Frenchman would be found some
day to beat the best man in England would
be regarded as heresy in any place where
the Union Jack waves, but such a thing has
come to pass.
BOmbardier Wells has been knocked out
not once, but twice-by Georges Carpenter
and while many noted English critics felt
Inundated over the disaster. they admitted
with good grace that the better man had
triumphed-
Partisan Fight Crowds Educated.
Nor is Carpenter the only French boxer
who is showing how quickly Frenchmen can
1uapL themselves 10 a new FORM or sport
Every part OF the globe where pugilism
fourishes has been visited by French fight
ers and the records Will prove that they
have done themselves proud.
There are other things tending to show
that pugilisn has become staple sport in
France For one thing, the Partisan fight
crowds have become educated to the game
OF the glove and have learned to distinguish
genuine bouts from bogus ones
When boxing was first introduced in the
French capital 1t is said that some fearful
and wonderful performances were worked
Oh IN the name OF pugilism- It was the
theatrical side Of the thing that appealed
TO the Gauls. and the boxers saw to it that
the bouts were replete with thrills, even
though no participant was seriously hurt
In view Of the popular demonstrations OF
disapproval when Johnson fought" Johnson.
it Is to wonder what will happen when Jack
johnson and Frank Moran get together in
the French capital next June
The match In question has many peculiar
angles. To begin with, 1t is said that the
SS5,000 johnson is to receive has been sub
scribed by a number of American sports in
Paris Who are they?
Outside Of the managers OF Langford.
Jeannette, Moran and few Of that kidney.
cans over there who are prominently identi-
fled with pugilism.
Johnson's Popularity Low
It may be that this is a misstatenent Of
facts and that the affair is being handled by
the French promoters but, If such is the
case, 1t is hard TO understand why so much
his recent bout with the other johnson
drew a sCant $4,000.
Private letters from Paris make 1t evil
dent that Jack Johnsons popularity is at a
low ebb over there now. and that the notion
that he is through as a fighter is wide
spread.
OF course, If Frank Moran wins he will
have every right to call himself champion
OF the world, but how widely will he be
recognized such? VIII there not be a
disposition-even if the contest has all the