Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-08

British empire, was much Shock0
and terribly chagrined over the de-
feat Of Bombardier Wells by Georges
Carpenter, is indicated by the obser-
vations and excuses OF the British
press. To lose an international sport
ing event was bad enough, but to lose
the heavyweight boxing championship
to q Frenchman!-well, it's no won
der that the alibi market is being
freely patronized.
The London Times, however, comes
TO the point with refreshing candor.
The Times frankly admits that athlet-
lie supremacy Is slipping from Eng
land because of a general pig-headedl
refusal TO adopt modern methods. |
This Is straight talk, and 1t would be
interesting 10 know what some OF that
papers stolid readers think of the
truth, a la September Morn" 1
Following is the Times comment
on the passing Of fighting laurels
across the channel: ~ .-t.f# 4
The defeat of Wells by Carpenter
need not be looked upon as In any
way sign OF slackening in the ma
tional fiber. II was a meeting be-
a.
two races, and the smaller and lighter
and better man won with surprising
aud, for Englishnen, disappointing
ease and suddenness. But that does
not mean that as a nation we are In
ferior to the French as beers. Ii Isl
the old story that in recent years has
become painfully familiar with regard
to individual contests In all manner
or bodily sports and exercises. Ii is in
way humiliating to our pride. but for
that very reason may be very saluta-
ny for our character. Even in the
team contests, such as cricket and
football and rowing. in which our
strength stiIl lies, we have OF late re-
ceived many disagreeable surprises.
To a certain extent this Is only what
was to be expected. We have taught
the rest of the world the various
games and sports Of which we used
10 enjoy practical monopoly, and II
is natural that IN some instances our
formerly unchallenged supremacy
should he Mfested from u.s. But this
docs not account for the whole OF our
re7etses. The secret OF our discom-
future is partly dne to the rather pig
headed insulaf way in which we cling
TO our old traditional methods, which
served well enough when we COM
Apeted only amongst ourselves, hut
have now In many ways been super
seeded. In boxing. as in practically
every other sport, we will not realize
that It is time for us who have
taught the nations to learn from our
nurlilg. Physicaily wells has the adj
vantage OF the young Frenchman who
on Monday defeated him in the first
round with such consummate ease.
But his methods are inferior. 1t is
hardly too much to say that because
they are British they are old-fash-
toned. The fight was lost and won
before the men entered the ring. Car
pentier defeated his man because he
fought with his brain as well as his
fists. He has studied the American
ized style, which Is the latest modern
development Of the art, and has real
lied the superiority which il confersi
over merely physical advantages In
the shape OF height and weight and
reach. Wells preferred TO stick to-
the accepted methods of the British
school Consequently. though he is a.
fine boxer. he was ignoniniously
beaten. His case is, In fact, exactly
typical of the present position Of this
country in almost all branches Of
athletics; and until we learn the les
son which is the moral of his defeat
we cannot begin to hope TO regain our
pre-emineIce Ia the field of sport.
q ~. =