The New York herald., 1920-12-25
British Sportsmen Appeal to
Foreign Office to Prevent
Dempsey Landing.

Special Gable TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1890, bV THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
! AOndcn, Dec. "a.
Despite the fact that Georges Car
pentier is a great favorite with boxing
enthusiasts in this country and that
the fame Of Jack Dempsey is spread
all over this tight little island. there
has arisen among all classes of society
I strong objection to the staging of the
million dollar championship match on
the soil OF Great Britain. This situa-
tion is due in large measure to the
repellent attitude of New York. for
London feels that If New York can
turn up its pugilistic nose at the Demp-
sey-Carpentier match, the English
metropolis can also elevate It's olfac-
tory organ.
The opinions expressed by New York
politicians. sporting writer's and pro-
moters that New York would not toll
crate the match, and the added sug-
gestion that the contest would have to
be staged in England. has aroused an
tagonism in sporting circles here, and
the dictum has gone forth that John
Bull will be unable to receive such
celebrities as j. Dempsey and G. Car
pentier at blightys hearthstone. This
of British sportsmen to move in the
same circles with those who really
matter in the manly art of self-defence.
But the opposition to the match has
not been confined to mere verbal criti-
cism. Several men high in the sport
ing life of London have gone to the
Foreign Office and earnestly urged
that soma diplomatic action be taken
to prevent the Dempsey Carpenter
fight taking place In this country. AS
a result of this visit II is now whis-
pered that the Foreign Office may con-
slider 1t necessary to refuse to wise
Dempsey's passport in the event that
he arrived here in an effort to carry
out the purpose OF Messrs. Rickard.
Brady and Cochran to shift the inter-
national battle to these shores. Thus
would be solved delicate problems that
might otherwise arise.
Absurd Purse.
London is very fond of n boxing
match, and Is particularly fond of
heavyweight contests. The boxing ele-
nnent would be delighted to see Demp-
sey in action and learn If he really
could defeat three English heavies in
the same ring at the same time, as
has been claimed by some Americans.
NeVerlneleSS, there mas arisen the same
feeling against the fight as Is appar-
ent in America. In the first place. the
purse is absurdy large, which would
make the financial venture a great
risk. There is no hall here large enough
to hold the crowd that would want to
see the bout, and with the high cost
of material and labor 1t would be
difficult undertaking to build an out
door arena such as Rickard constructed
at Toledo.
British sportsmen hold that pugllists
are not worth any such fabulous purses.
especially when millions of men who
took part in real fighting are now idle
In the second place, the question of
internationalism is considered. The
boxers would wear the colors of the
! countries they represent. and these fore
most allies wish to remain friends.
There Ia an apprehension that some
thing might take place during the COM
bat calculated to disturb the present
friendly relations. The partisans OF the
fighters might get into brawl or the
referee might give a decision to cause