El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-13

HAVANA, Cuba, March 13.-Jacl
IL johnson, former heavyweight
champion. in a signed statement given
to the Associated Press last night, de-
clared that his fight with Jess VIII
lard in this city four years ago, was
a prearranged affair and that he al
lowed Willard to win. In addition TO
the sum Of $4,000. entire rights to
the moving picture films in Europe
and So Is percent OF the proceeds
from their exhibition in the United
States and Canada are mentioned by
Johnson together with the promise
OF aid to settle JohusOn's difficulties
with the federal authorities in Chi
cagO so that the negro pugilist might
return there to reclaim his property
md see his mother.
johnson declares in this state
ment that it was arranged that he
should lose in the tenth round,
provided Wizards showing was
such as to Justify IL, but that As
willard was doing practically
nothing he was forced to wait.
The signal agreed upon was given
in the 10th round. johnson states,
but he waited until the 2Gth round
TO give Willard an opportunity to
make a good showing.
The former champion declares that
unless Willard agrees to fight him
within a reasonable time he will claim
the worlds title. He signed his state
ment: Jack Johnson, champion"
VIII defend TitIe.1
Col d'Estrampes, former congress-
man, who is backing Johnson. stated
that Johnson is willing to battle VIII
lard anywhere in the United States,
the proceeds TO 20 10 the Clark Grit-
fifth hat and hall fund or q anT char
liable institution. Col. d'Estrampes
has wired Bat Masterson Of New York,
asking for the addresses Of Dempsey
and Fulton with the idea OF arrang-
ing a match in Havana, between
either Of them and Johnson DIES
trampes says in his cablegram that
Johnson lis disposed TO defend the
worlds championship" against either
Of these men.
Ex-Champ's Statement.
The statement in part follows;
ITO arrange the match, Jack Curley
asked me II I were willing to fight
Willard and said I would, If he gave
me my price. I thought could beat
his man for him Curley said he did
not want that I told Curley I would
make the match
when ready to leave London I
wired Curley for a certain sum Of
money which he readily sent Well,
IL went on and began 10 bother and
7 spoke TO my wife who advised me
not TO do IL but I told her that If I
were going TO lose I'd send her word
IN time 10 get out The reason said
that was because there was more
money coming to me and I did not
want to lose until 1 found out they
would pay me the sum asked for
and guarantee that they would get
me out OF trouble in America. the
HH1aT nor "a H-rra
Then we figured on the best round
TO lose in and agreed upon the tenth
They were told to give the word in
the first three or four rounds If VII
lard could make a good showing.
Jess Did Poor Work.
AT the end Of the tenth round VII
lards showing had been so poor Il
was necessary TO continue the fight
further. The signal agreed upon was
given in the goth round but I con-
sidered WIZARDS showing so poor 1
was forced TO wait until the 26th
round before carrying out the agree
menr.
Film worthless.
I was TO have eH the moving pic
ture rights in Europe and SO Is per-
cent Of those I'm America and Canada.
when I finally received the NOV
ing picture film IL was a blank exc.
I took it to the best film experts in
Europe but it was found to be worth
less
Everybody knows how anxious L
was TO straighten out the little Chi