The New York herald., 1920-01-31
AMERICA BALKS AT
ALLIANCE In BOXING
Will Not Be Represented at Meeting
of international Union in 81
Paris.

America will not be represented on Feb
ruary next in Paris at the meeting Of
the body called the International Boxing
Union. the organization which aims at
securing the absolute control of boxing
throughout the world. A representative OF
the Army and Navy Civilian Board Of
Boxing Control was invited to attend, but
after considering Article l. of the lawssof
it's constitution, which the promoters
Of the unicn framed in France, it Was
deemed inadvisable to take any part In
the proposed conference. The article in
question reads as follows -
article IAN International Federation
OF Professional Boxing is constituted under
the name of the International Boxing
Union. between bodies formed in the Diff
ferent nations. with the object OF ruling
the professional sport of English boxing.
These bodies. in the proportion of one f0t
each nation, declare to adhere to the here
after statutes" -
On this basis the voting would entitle
each of the following .countries:-iSwtt-
zerland. Argentine, Norway. Holland.
italy, Belgium and Greece Gin some Of
which countries boxing rs almost un<
known) to an equal voice with America
in the framing of rules and regulations for
the control Of boxing throughout the world.
Alignment of the votes of any two or
more Of these countries with the votes OF
France would enable that country TO force
the adoption of the French code of rules
which have been recently framed, and the
provisions Of which are, in the opinion
of those fost competent to judge. quite
practicable. This Board has decided 70
manifest it's disapproval by non-attend-
ance rather than lend countenance to an
organization which gives seyenty-five per
cent of the voting power TO countries which
aggregate only five per cent OF the worlds
boxing. ,
The following cable has been de
spatched: ~
International Boxing Union, E
'2i Boulevard Poissonniere. Paris. hs
Replying to and thanking you for your
invitation to this Board to attend congress
| in Paris February 3. regret to inform you
this Board does not feel justified in send
ling representative. This decision is based
on article 1 of the laws drafted by you
| for the control OF boxing throughout the
world. This article declares that members
of the proposed union shall have one vote
for each country which is represented.
America, having five worlds champions.
| is equitably entitled to more than vot-
ing equality with switzerland, Argentine.
Norway. Holland. Italy, Belgium. Greece
land other countries where boxing is almost
nom Xstent. This Board has no desire
to dictate terms for formation Of interna-
| tional union. but il cannot support an or
ganiZation which awards seventy-five per
cent of the voting power to countries
which aggregate only five per cent OF the
worlds boxing. An association in the
framing of the constitution of which the
two greatest boxing countries have had
mo voice. is foredoomed to failure Sug-
lgest formation of new body on equitable
!basis. Conventions might be held In
| France or elsewhere. but Headquarters
should be in one or other of the two great
centres of worlds boxing activity--Lon-
ldon or New York. "a
| ANTHONY j. DREXEL BIDDLE, :.
President. Army Navy and Civilian
/ Board of Boxing Control"