GENTLE GERMANS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 841, 13 June 1910, Page 11

GENTLE GERMANS.

FROWN ON BOXINC BOUTS IN BERLIN. FIGHTING TO MUSIC. Boxing is practically a forbidden sport in Germany. It is looked upon as brutal and repulsive, and all efforts to introduce a systematic study of tho "noble art of self defence" in that country have, says tlio "Pall Mall Gazotte," owing to the unfavourable attitude of the-press* and tho police, ended in failure. One of tho reasons for the strenuous opposition of tlio police is .that in Germany it is a serious olfcnco to strike a man with one's fists, no matter what tho grievance may be. Hence, the citizens of , the great towns, though prone to indulge in wordy contests accompanied by a tremendous exhibition of excitement and indignation, rarely come to blows, and tho police believe that if a knowledge of lwxing became general throughout the Fatherland there would be a great many more arrests for v brawling, and incidentally it might lead the members of Socialist street demonstrations to ndopt a more aggressive attitude towards the police, instead of their present attitudo of almost lamb-like submission to the stalwart, spike-helmeted, and sword-begirdled officers of the law. Recently tho first meeting took place to-box for tho amateur championships of Berlin in feather, light, middle, and heavy-weights. It was decided on a Sunday evening, and presented many features of distinct interest.In the first- place, owing to police instructions,' the rules issued to all the combatants contained a notice that they wero not to hit too hard, and that anyone who did so would bo disqualified. Representatives of the law were present to seo that theso instructions wero carried out. A stage had been erected at one end of a largo hall, and the audience down below sat around drinking' • beer and other liquors. During the first round of the light-weights two competitors mixed it up, with the result that "a small quantity of blood appeared. The ladies, of whom there were many in tho audience, seemed rather moved, and when the bout was over, the promoter came forward on the stage, and, addressing the audience, said that they must not mind if a small amount of blood were seen, as it meant nothing, did not hurt; and, in fact, the competitors, far from disliking it, rather enjoyed the novel sensation. Below tho platform, and, in front of tlio audience, was a band.. During tho intervals the band was always silent, . but immediately a round commenced the band: began to play some martial or playful piece,'and many of tho combatlints, who probably were more at home in a ballroom than in tde ring, introduced into their, leg work a dancing movement,' which, though slightly comical to the eyes of a- sportsman, filled the audience with glee, and ono boxor in particular who' not only took his log work but also his hitting cues from-tho hand brought the houso down 'with applause. 'One light-weight- who hit his opponent on the nose with such forco that tho latter sat oil the floor was promptly warned that the next time such a thing happened he would be'ruled out. The .mail who sat on the floor retired. Another boxer, apparently a favourite, ■ stopped_ v in tho middle of a round to wave his gloves at the audience, who wore' distracting him by cheering too much. ** A local paper, commenting on the match, said it ought never to take place; that boxing was a sport fit only for .hooligans; and that Englishmen could fight and box amongst themselves to their hearts', content, but that Germans did not wish to indulge'in such brutal/pasting. ~-~ , ,' the heavy-weight championship of Berlin was won by Mr. Tom Alasson, an Englishman, whose brother, Captain .Alasson, is tho holder of the plunging championship of England.