Evening Express

"A KING AS PRESIDENT." I PERCY BUSH Talks of the Cardiff R.F.C. Committee On Page 2. ILLUSTRATED BY J. M. S.

A WORLD EMBRACING SUGGESTION. f' OPINIONS OF L.EADING WELSH PLAYERS. Most Britishers talk and think Imperially nowadays. Unity of the Empire, Defence of the Empire, are staple topics of conversation. Footballers have anticipated the man in the street, and have for a long time talked and thought over a world-wide range, f- Is not the time come when such thought and opinion should be translated into action 1 Are we not ready for an Imperial League of Foot- ballers ? ) The opinions gathered from leaders of Football through- out Wale, which leads the world in that branch of sport, and given below. indicate that the time is indeed ripe. By FORWARD. 1 1 < I People at home and abroad « 1 thinking Imperially, e,:en in football, since New Zealand, South Africa, and New South Wales sent teams to play in the home-1and, and since the compliment was returned by British teams, more or less representative in character, making a tour of the Australasian Colonies. The South Africans are still waiting for the return visit, and how long they may have to wait depends largely upon the future attitude of Scotland and Ireland towards the continuance of these tours. For the moment they are suspended for an indefinite period, and they are not likely to be resuscitated until the four Unions represented on the International Board of the United Kingdom arrive at a common and a better understanding. Not until they have joined hands and hearts will it be possible to send out a I thoroughly representative British team, which ?TH carry with it the respect andi confidence of the whole country. To place matters on a perfectly work- able basis, and to facilitate a regular interchange of visits, nothing could be more desirable, if not absolutely necessary, than the formation of some such body as an Imperial Board of Control. This would naturally consist of representatives of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Canada, and these would meet not only for the arrangement of tours, but for numerous other impor- tant purposes, one of which would be uniformity of rules and regulations throughout the whole of Rugbydom. may seem, on the face of it, an ambitious scheme, but it has been fduncT practicable in other directions, and it only requires a serious, combined effort to make it so in football. There is a half-mooted project that Wales should send out an international team to Aus- i tralia and New Zealand, but there are I many and great difficulties in the way which are too obvious to need enumera- tion just now. They could be the more easily and effectively overcome by the I establishment of the Imperial Board of Control.

Conference Welcomed I I I WELSH TEAM NOT POSSIBLE. I By GWYN NICHOLLS. I I don't think it is practicable to get a fully representative Welsh side to go out to Australia (writes Gwyn Nicholls). A party of 24 or 25 would be required, and I don't see that such a number of really ifrst-class Welsh players could afford to lose or leave their work for so long a period as six montns. v send a team that! was not representa- tive would be to only court disaster, and a grave loss of prestige, especially in New Zealand, where we know they play Rugby football of the| best. Those who have businesses of their i own would not be I able to leave them for so long a period, and those in employment would probably find even greater diffi- culty in getting away. What about the attitude of the Scot- tish Union ? After the recent objection of the Scottish Union I don't see how the natter could be arranged without a I meeting* of the four unions. Further- more, I don't think the Welsh Union I ivotild agree to send a team unless they jould get the twenty or more players needed to form a party who could afford to pay their own expenses. Besides, the Welsh Union have already decided not to countenance another tour except by the general consent of the four unions. Sivh a trip costly to the individual? No, if a man were content to go out there without spending lavishly, he could I do the trip on about £ 10. In fact, so rovallv entertained are British football tourists down under that it is not really necessary to spend money at all. The great obstacle to such a tour would be the loss of wages to the working-men players. When our team were out there ten years ago we were allowed two shil- lings a day for drinks. We were each credited with this amount at the hotel at which we happened to be staying, and i if we exceeded it we had to pay the ¡.. excess out of our own pockets. Of course, all other petty expenses we had to find ourselves. These were strictly amateur methods, and I should advocate similar methods for any possible future tours. I What service could be rendered the I great game by an Imperial conference of Rugby football authorities? Great service. Of course, there is sup- posed to be an understanding now. The laws and rules are the same; it is only a matter of playing them in the same spirit. Several rules are interpreted quit-<5 differently in the Antipodes from the home country. When we were out there our committee usually met theirs before the match, and agreed on the ij points of difference. That in itself would in die" te the necessity and wisdom of convening such a conference. In ct, I believe Mr. George Harnett has already I mooted such an event. For example, it is proposed to do away with the New Zoafand wing forward, and one or two other matters have been suggested for discission. Such a conference would/ undoubtedly, result in good. There would be a more definite understanding on rules which are differently interpreted in the different countries of the British ILI Empire. t.

"Most Desirable." I By THOMAS H. VILE, Newport's new cap- tain, and a member of the 1904 British team which toured Australia and New I Zealand. I I think it is most desirable, if the I Rugby code is to successfully contest the ground with Association football in this country, that we should have such fillips as the visits of the Coloniais periodically give us; and we ought to be prepared to send out teams in return to help our Colonial friends. These visits to the Mother Country and our Colonial tours have, in my opinion, done a great deal of good to the Rugby game. There can be no doubt that the visit of the South Africans, particularly to Great Britain, was an immense help to the game in the four home countries. It is, therefore, most desirable that inter- Colonial and Empire visits should be encouraged. The question of arranging terms so as not to infringe the professional laws ought not to be a difficult one to deal with. VV nen I was a member of the British team which toured Australia and New Zealand in 1904 there was no diffi- culty, no friction, and no suspicion that I am aware of. Beyond the management paying our hotel and travelling expenses, each member of the team was given the option of having 3s. per day pocket-money without washing or 2s. per day with wash- ing paid for. 2s. Per Day and Washing. We took the 2s. per day, and allowed our washing to be done. I think that was a fair allowance, but it was not too much. By the time one bought a few r cigarettes ftndpaid for sr few drinks there was nothing left. It should be remembered that in the Colonies (at any rate, at the places where we were) ail drinks are sixpence "a time," whatever a person has—whether a bottle of lemonade, a bottle of beer, or anything else. It is true that if three or four went in a house together ,and called for drinks it was pretty well a case of "help your- selves." but they were sixpence a time for each person all the same, just the same as if it were only one person. And not only could members of the team not save money out of the allowance, but I know it actually cost them more than they were allowed. We were allowed the 2a. per day from the day we sailed from England till the day we landed. The New Zealanders, who made such a wonderful record in this country, told me that they were allowed exactly the same sum. I don't think the Scottish Union, if they really want to save the Rugby game, and as they profess to think so much of it, ought to consider that such an allowance professionalises a man. I think it is a fair and reasonable sum, but -It Is Not Too Much. In order to get together a representa- tive team it will always be necessary, especially in the case of Wales, where so many of the players are of the working class, to provide on long tours of the kind a fair and reasonable amount as pocket- money. I am decidedly in favour of having an Imperial Football Conference, but it ought to include all classes of players and clubs, and not be restricted to those who do not comprise some of the working-man element.

Uniformity Craved I By RHYS T. GABE. I All the sportsmen in Australasia (and there are many) would hail with genuine delight and unbounded enthusiasm a pro- posal to send a representative Welsh Rugby team to their shores. Any British [Piloto, A. and t>. Taylor, Caiditt. team would un- doubtedly be assured of a real Colonial welcome, but a Welsh team would be feted unmerci- fully, and would be killed almost with the most generous hospitality. This is only to be | expected, as the fair name of Wales is universally honoured, and her enviable prestige, which has only been attained j and maintained by the severest I struggles, is duly respected in t-he Antipodes, for did not the gallant little Principality tarnish the un- blemished record of New Zealand in 1905 after ali others had persistently and lamentably failed P And did not Wales supply the "star" performers in the touring teams of 1899, 1904, and 1908? People who have not actually visited the Colonies can never hope to realise fully the firm and lasting grip which football has on the masses. The above- mentioned defeat of the All Blacks in Cardiff was considered a national disaster, and ever since the Maorilanders have been vainly longing for an opportunity to "cross swords" again in a return match. But is it Possible I for a thoroughly representative Welsh team to undertake a tour of six month's' duration:' Considering that so many of the best exponents are working men, some with families dependent upon them, and taking into account the amount of time involved, the wages necessarily sacrificed, and the unavoidable expenses incurred, the ques- tion may, without hesitation, be answered in the negative, for, according to the dictates and rulings of the Inter- national Board, players will not be allowed mere nominal allowances. The Anglo-Australian tourists of 1904, of which the writer was a member, and of which R. Bedell Sivright, of Scotland, was skipper, were allowed two shillings a day towards defraying out-of-pocket expenses. That this amount was totally inadequate to attain the object desired will easily be recogniseq by those who have had any Colonial experiences, espe- cially when it is mentioned that potations imbibed at meal-times were not included in the' hotel expenses. At the mildest estimate, a sum of £2õ was actually dis- bursed by the most careful and abstemious man. Whether or not the glorious voyage and the numerous never-to-be- forgotten receptions amply compensated for this is beside the question. Sufficient I is it to assert that with the present regu- lations in vogue it would be beyond the dreams of the most optimistic to see the best Welsh side embark for Australasia. People would soon shrug their shoulders and raise their eyebrows if a suggestion of better monetary terms were merely mentioned, and the Scotch and Irish prejudices would of a certainty be imme- diately aroused, with the result that an impasse in the. fcotbaJL woÛd would. ttp J the outcome. Such a course, obviously, is not to be thought of. What eiffcacious scheme remains to be attempted, then, before this visit can materialise? An Imperial Conference which, by the way, has been strongly advocated by our Colonial friends for years past, should be convened. Repre- sentatives of the Unions of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada should be invited to collaborate with the Mother Country in the moulding of fresh laws and the re-adjusting of differences. The question of professionalism with all its phases would have to be completely and thoroughly discussed. It is not to be inferred that the present code of laws is considered unsatisfactory. Far from it. This legislation was expressly framed for managing home affairs," and its intended purpose may be said to be admirably effected, for the opinions prevalent among the true sporting fraternity are rather unanimous in their commendation. But now the sphere of influence and control has been greatly increased, and considerable alterations and modifications would have to be accordingly introduced.  Laws which govern inter club and inter county matches efficiently are totally inadequate and unsuitable to deal with very long tours; players who are able to manage week-end sojourns with- out difficulty are confronted with iiisur-? mountable barriers when absence from work for half a year is contemplated. ?Ways and means would have to be| definitely decided upon to enable one and all, irrespective of rank, to participate in thew tours before the best team of i ?an-v country could leave home. Uniform Rute Reading. Apart from this main, all-absorbing' topic, an opportunity would presn i itself to decide upon a uniform reading of the playing rules as well. This latter question is far more important in its bearing on the game than would at first strike the uninitiated. Pandon is craved for a brief digression here to cite an instance of the manner in which different constructions can be placed upon some of the most vital prin- ciples of Rugby football. In Australia a penalty is awarded against a side for passing the ball forward—from centre three-quarter to his wing, say. The law clearly states that a penalty kick should be given for intentional off-side. Now, the Unions down under*" maintain that the player (the wing in this case) is obviously aware that he infringes the rules when lie receives a forward pass. That these peculiarities of application tend to disconcert the feelings of touring teams are only too evident. The fate of prospective Empire cham- pionships, would be wholly dependent upon the deliberations of the delegates in this conference. Were it decided upon to introduce new terms and conditions, which would be fair and reasonable, these championships would soon be enthusias- tically advocated, and an intense interest would be awakened amongst all the classes; but were the present state cf affairs allowed to continue visits of British teams to the Colonies and the visits of our Colonial relations to Britain would not be undertaken by the very best of the Rugby football talent, and the- pro- posal to send the best Welsh team to Australasia would of necessity ,have to be indefinitely postponed.

"Commends Itself." OPINION OF M.R. TED LEWIS. The idea of an Imperial understanding between footballers—and for any other kind of sport, for the matter of that-— cannot but commend itself to all who take interest in the game. It is, nevertheless, rather premature to give a definite opinion on the practical issues involved, as we have not yet had time to consider the matter in all its. bearings; but, while I refrain from com- mitting myself to any specific proposal, I do not think tiiere can be two opinions as to the desirability of the fixing of a uniformity of rules which would applicable to all the Colonies as well as to England. It has been sug- gested that we should have triennial con- ferences with the view of bringing this about, but I prefer, for the moment, to leave out of my purview the ways and means of achieving the end aimed at. Nevertheless, I have no hesi- tation whatever in heartily advocating the principle of uniformity. Our Colonial friends when they come here naturally complain that they are handi- capped consequent upon our interpreting the rules differently to what they do, and the same remark applies to our men when they go out to the Colonies. There are many young fellows from this country emigrating to the Colonies, but, though they are enthusiastic foot- ballers and can play a good game here, they are unable to participate in the pastime in their new home to flic same extent and with the same pleasure which they otherwise would owing to I The Difference in the Rules, I so if it were only for this reason alone, I would welcome any practical step taken in the direction suggested. As to interchange of fixtures between the Colonies and ourselves, this may present some difficulty. As far as Wales is concerned, I do not think for one moment that we could send out a thoroughly representative team, owing to the working-class element in its per- sonnel, who could never afford to lose the time, and they are among the best players we have got. It is no secret that in some quarters the Colonial visits and return fixtures are viewed askance. Before such an undertaking as an Imperial League and its correlative inter-Colonial conferences could be' achieved with any degree of assured success, the movement must be On Such Broad Lines as to include the whole country, and not merely Wales. If this were done, then I would be sanguine of its ultimately being brought to a very satisfactory issue; and, viewing the matter on this broad basis, I believe the Welsh Union officials and, indeed, the whole of Wales—would give unstinted and hearty support to any proposal which would result in this very desirable and patriotic consummation. And we in this country j would be all the better able to intelli- j gently follow the game as played in i-ur: Colonies, and vice versa, so that iheo- retically, to say the least, I cannot but regard the suggestion with a great i measure of approval.

MERTHYR TOWN SOCCER TEAM. l T op Row:-Edwin C. Dow (,gGal). Sam Wig'htman (left back), William Davies (right back), Samuel HouEha ll (haU.back). I SM?ndRow:—G«>r?eChurclull(Mtha?f), William Bromley (centre half), Peter Kelly (right half). t Bottom Row:-Jamea Whittaker (outside left), Fnuik Pemberton (inside left), Jamee W<wt'toT?(mside M?M_)_ Al, ?xa?d.. er Tait (half ? jtm?kL ?P*M? HA&JU§ Mlù80N. 3LeathyX. j

I Well Thought-out Plan I » By J. L. WILLIAMS, I the Cardiff Captain and member of the last British touring team. The invitation recently extended by the New South Wales Rugby Union to the Welsh Rugby Union to send a repre- sentative side to tour Australia, coming so close upon the happy completion of the triangular cricket scheme, has naturally I led one to consider the possibilities of an I extensive plan for the promotion of Inter-Colonial and! Imperial RugllY Football, with the necessary formation or a corporation re- presentative of all football playing por- tions of Greater Britain to govern the Rugby game, and regulate and supervise all tours undertaken. With the growing taste for long tours no one can gainsay the need for such a body. Taking a broader view of the matter than that of athleticism purely, such a scheme built. upon a solid business-like basis should secure the willing co-opera- tion of the Colonial Office at home, as a means of further cementing the various portions of the Empire, as well as the Immigration Departments "over the seas" as a profitable means of diffusing useful knowledge touching their respec- tive Colonies. The tremendous fillip given to the game itself would in the near future make its place secure as the paramount game of English-speaking people throughout the world. A comprehensive scheme would, at the outset, include five great competitors- viz., New Zealand, South Africa, Great ¡. Britain, Australia, and Canada. I have j advisedly placed Canada last, as she is I not yet as advanced in the code as the It others; and New Zealand is intentionally separated from Australia. One picked team only should tour at one time, visiting each of the other four "nations" the same season, thus enabling each in turn to send around -a side once in five years. Supposing the first-named (New Zealand) to be selected to set the machine going. They would take the other participants in the following order: — Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and South Africa. Following them the next year we l should have South Africa visiting Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in thtt sequence. Great Britain would then take a turn and call upon South Africa, Australia. New Zealand, and Canada in the order named. Aus- tralia's route would allow them first to visit New Zealand, then England, via Canada, leaving South Africa for the I j return journey. By this time Canada, very much improved by their own exertions put forth to vanquish the invaders of four j successive seasons, could feel quite con- fident of the success of a tour through Great Britain, South Africa, New Zea- land, and Australia. An arrangement upon the lines indi- cated would give each participating "nation" a visit from one or other of the Colonies or from home (as all Colonists term Great Britain) four years out of every five, and each would in regular intervals of five years become the guests of the other four. In the fifth year, whilst her representatives were away for a portion of the playing season, no country would be calle upon to meet a touring side. Possibly in Great Britain in that year one or two of the ordinary internationals would be robbed of a little interest owing to the I Absence of Star Men. There would, however, be the compen- sating advantage of granting opportuni- ties long-looked for by lesser lights, and so direct benefit to football at home would I result in international caps during the. lean" year forming very satisfactory consolation prizes for disappointed aspirants to touring honours. Then, again, a splendid opportunity would offer for holding quinquennial conferences between British Isles repre- sentatives touring with the team and those of each colony in turn, when the application of the laws to the game could be seen at work under local condi- tions, and uniform interpretations be established throughout the football world in one and the same season, thereby I bringing about reforms which anyone i with an experience of Colonial football will admit are imperative. I Climatic conditions are admirably i suited to football tourists, allowing them to catch the season at the Antipodes fnd to return to the season in their own l latitude.

'Ware Amateurism I I By W. J. TREW. I The idea of having an Imperial Con- i ference to discuss football rules is a big one. Whether it will ever come off I am not able to judge or, indeed, whether it would really be necessary unl ess things greatly develop. There would be a good deal of expense and time involved to the representatives of the different parts of the Empire, al- though, possibly, I much of the business, such as fixtures, &c., could be arranged after the initial meet- ing by post or cable. As regards Wales,, however, I am con- vinced that we should be out of it. We We should not be able to secure repre- sentative tea m s under amateur rules. Such a team as could be selected from the moneyed footballers of Wales would be absolutely unrepresentative. This is not a matter of opinion, however it is beyond question. One has only to look at the names of the players selected from Wales in the past to see whom the Welsh Union regard as representative of our football talent. They are practically all working men. There may be a fortunate indi- vidual or two of another class amongst them, but no more. Again, the majority of them, I believe, are married—nearly all last year's Swan- sea players are, for instance. What terms could be granted to such men? They must have an amount equal to their ordinary wages to leave for their families' use, and then they must have adequate personal expenses and money for them- selves, or go "sponging" on others. The thing is Quite Impracticable I from the point of view of amateurism so far as Wales is concerned. As to whether such extensive relaxations of rules are possible as would admit of large pay- ments like I have mentioned bein'g made, I think one can only judge by what has occurred in the past. Opinions must very largely change before it can happen.

MY GREATEST FIGHT. ■p BY FRED WELSH. I THE BOUT WITH ABE ATTELL. 1 I know which was my greatest fight. < One is often in doubt about which was j the best or the worst, the largest or j smallest of the things that have hap- pened to him. Superlatives are not easy to determine. My greatest fight, how- ever, is certain beyond any doubt. It. was the one with Abe Attell. Abe Attell was admittedly the king of feather-weights, and was credited with being the equal as a boxer of any man living. He was otlever, resourceful, shifty, and scientific as a. boxer, and at the same time was a strong, enduring fighter, with a knock-out punch in either hand. As a ring general, it was said he had no superior. The only man in the world who had an equal reputation with him was the great negro, Joe Gans. Both Attell andJiaJls..wei:c so superior; in their respective classes that they com- monly were obliged to meet men in the heavier divisions in order to get on fights at all. Gans, although a light-weight, fought and beat welters and middle- weights; and Attell, although a feather- weight, had met and beaten many of the best light-weights, and had even beaten Buddy Ryan, the then welter-weight champion. It was once proposed that Attell and Gans should meet; and Attell was eager for it, but Gans shook his head. No," he said; "I know that little !jew. I could never reach him to knock him out; and if I won on points only it wKMild be as good as a victory for him. And, anyhow," he added, with a subtle smile, "he might win on points; and then where would I be? No, sir! Not any of Abie for me! I'd rather fight a middle-weight." Not only was Attell's record plentifully sprinkled with knock-outs of men in his own division, but light weights had taken the count from him. He had met and defeated such light-weights as the terrible Aurelio Herrera, Youug Erne, Kid Herman, even the great Battling Nelson, Eddie H.-iiiloii-then at his best --and many others. From the moment I became a profes- sional fighter I think I looked forward to some day trying conclusions with Abe Attell. Even when I was a preliminary fighter, getting two pounds for a fight, and glad to get it, I was audacious enough to believe that I would give a good account of myself if ever I did meet the wonderful Hebrew. My friends pitied me for my prodigious conceit when I told! them what my ambition was, but I was not the less determined to some day meet the. man who was deemed the cleverest boxer in the world. In the First Class Well, I climbed my way up from the preliminary class into the first class. I went from Philadelphia and "six round no decision bouts" to the West, where I went twenty and twenty-five round bouts and won fight after fight. All the while I was waiting to pit myself against the best man in the ring. Whenever the chance offered I went to see Attell fight and if I could not see him fight I read all that was written about any contest he was engaged in. I did this, not only to understand his style of boxing, but also to analyse his methods and discover why it was that. he could beat so many clever men heavier than himself. Finally my opportunity came. I had been fortunate in making such a reputa- tion as a boxer on the Pacific Coast that it was considered quite the proper thing for Attell and myself to meet. To say that I was rejoiced when the articles of agreement were finally signed gives no idea of my delight. At last I was to be pitted against the best boxer in the world. Anyone can understand what it meant for me. And that I did not over-estimate its meaning will be shown, I think, by the following quotation from a boxing expert. Jay Davidson, in the r "Los Angeles Herald": ¡ Interest in the. At-toll Welsh scrap is accounted for m the fact that it will bring i together the greatest boxers the world has ever known, big or little, and his most for- midable rival for thie honoar, although in a heavier division. While Attell is acknow- ¡ ledged as the cleverest and speediest boxer in any class of to-day, Welsh is recognised as the speediest and cleverest b,,xer in the light-weight division. And they are so nearly even on the score of cleverness and speed that the fans anticipate the prettiest boxing exhibition that ever was staged any- where, not even excepting the Corbett-M Coy scrap. It really involves the boxing cham- pionship of the world. Boxing as an art of defence and offence will be illiietrated in all its phases, and by a pair of the most able exponents of the art. They are so superlatively clever and fast that the matter of five or six pounds in j actual weight is not regarded as being a matter of any importance to either; and, | while it is bound to be a handicap in at least a small degree foT Attell, this has been equalised in a measure by shortening the route by ten rounds. "Speed Burners" I Other comments made in recognition ) of the importance of the contest were so peculiarly American that I am sure tey I will be doubly interesting. One boxing editor said we would be too fast for the picture machine." Another said: "Spero burners. Protect the ring with an asbestos covering." Another: "Three record breakers—Roseben. Taft, and the At tell-Welsh contest." Still another said the fight would be a pugilistic whirlwind. I need hardly say that I took no c.hances by neglect of any sort. I will say, even at the risk of being misunder- stood, that I felt no doubt at any time. I was sure that I could win if I kept my head and was in my best condition. I trained for speed and condition. I brought into my camp the quickest little men I could find, and worked for the one result—to be fast and then faster yet. I had seen clever big men go into the ring with Attell and try to get rid of him by knocking him out. It was exactly what a swift, .hifty boxer like Atteil) desired mo? of aIL He let such men tire themselves out punching at him. They might as well have punched at a shadow and when they were puffing and blowing, and he was still fresh, he would land blow after blow, and perhaps end by knocking them out. Oddly enough, this same clever ring general, who knew enough to let his antagonists destroy themselves by fighting when they should have been boxing, once made the same mistake himself, and only just escaped being beaten. This was when lie fought a no-decision bout with Jimmy Driscoll in New York. Perhaps if a decision could have been given at that time, he would have refused to take any risk by fighting and would have boxed. However that may be, I was deter- mined not to fight, but to box; for even if I could have knocked Attell out in one I round I would not have attained the I object of my ambition, which was to out- box the best boxer in the world. No one knew better than I how much I had laid out for myself, but I made the most j careful preparation I could, and then felt so much confidence in the result that on the day of the fight I bet C320 on myself to win E400. Ag I was to get £600 as i my share of the purse, it will be seen that when I stepped into the ring I was boxing not only for supremacy over the champion of champions, but for a very nice little sum of money. I may say j that it did not annoy me at all that the j odfds in betting were against use. •<-—j j When They Met I was only two pounds heavier than Attell when we met in the ring, so that the disparity in weight was not great enough to make any real difference. II coula see that Attell felt quite as confi- l dent as I did. Indeed, there was some- thing almost insolent in his manner as he sat in his corner. I don't know that I can describe it exactly, but he was chewlilg glim, according to his custom, and he did it in an indescribably lazy way that seemed to indicate that he believed, as the Americans say, t.hat everything was already over but the shouting. I recall the preliminary incidents very I well. The rain was falling on the new canvas covering of the arena, and the water was leaking through in places. I felt chilly after I had taken my bath-robe Off, and wound a big towel over my shoulders. We posed for our pictures, according to the custom in America; young Ad Wolgast was introduced, and challenged the winner; there was the usual explanatory talk by the referee; and the gong sounded. That was the sound I had been waiting for all the rest had been nothing to me. I was waiting for that sound because I had formed my plans, and was eagerlv: waiting to carry them out. When I say eagerly I don't mean anxiously. I was stone cold, so to speak. I am never cooler and calmer than when I am about to fight. I was waiting eagerly, because it was a part of my plan to be the first in action. Other men I had seen nad given Attell time to breathe and to keep fresh I meant to keep him so busy that he would have to work at least as hard as I did. So the instant the gong had sounded I was out of my chair, and was at him before he had taken three steps out of his corner. I remember .that I struck the firit blow, and that it was a straight jab with my left which caught him fairly on the nose. I confess I was surprised myself when I discovered almost at once how much quicker I wa& than this wonder of the ring. Still, I did not run away with my discovery. Attell was known as the craftiest man that had ever put en gloves, and, for all I knew. he was trying to lead me into a trap by letting me score easily: so I tried him out carefully for nearly three rounds. Sure of My Man Then I was sure of my man and he was worried. I knew it in an odd way. He had begun the first round lazily chew- ing his gum. In the second round he chewed a little quicker, but still wore a somewhat contemptuous expression on his face. By the end of the third round it seemed as if he could nit chew rapidly enough. f After that I had no hesitation, but kept after him incessantly. I was on top of him all the time, following, following -never giving him time to rest. 1 found I could reach him with my left whenever I tried, and that I could get away from him with ease. It is hardly too much to say that he never landied a blow ( ii me unless I was willing to' let him have it in exchange for one better. All the tune the rain was falling heavily outside, and was dripping through the canvas roof on to the floor of the ring. By some accident the water fell first at the four corners, and gradu- ally spread from them to the centre, so that as the rounds progressed the dry space at the centre of the ring became smaller and smaller. This was to the advantage of the better boxer, and. if I may say so without. the imputation of im- modesty, gave me the opportunity I was eager for of showing my superiority. We fought most of the battle in a space not more than 8ft. square. "Out-boxed H. M. Walker, of the Los Angeles Examiner," writing of the fight, said: The marvellous part of the battle wat that Welsh proved to be more clever than Attell. He out-boxed and out-fought the great little Jew in every one of the fifteen rounds. In fact, there were times that Welsh was so fast and clever in comparison to Attell that he made the latter look like the novice tha.t Attell has made so many men look like in years past. Welsh has evidently studied Attell's style well and mapped his plan out well in advance. Freddie would etab Attell once or twice in the face. and. then running in quickly, would hammer Abie about the kidneys. The latter were battered and 'bruised at the finish. A tiny stream of blood was coming from Attell's nose, whdio Wtfefr vm unmarked. The fight must have been an interest- ing one for the spectators, too for, not- withstanding that the rain had found its way through the canvas so as to wet everybody, no one had stirred or made the least complaint. It was satisfactory to me, and very gratifying, that after the fight Attell said frankly that he had never met such a clever boxer, and that he had been beaten fairly. Jeffries, the great heavy-weight champion, was so pleased with what I had done that he presented me with a. nearly life-size pic- ture of myself and Attell in a boxing pose. There is no doubt in my mind that that fight did more than any other one I thing to put me in the front rank of aspirants for the world's light-weight championship.

1, Enamoured." By Mr. ACK LLEWEILLYN. Viewing the suggestion, for the estrxfo-1 lishment of an Imperial League in the abstract, I am certainly enamoured witn the idea. I believe such a league, with return fixtures between the Mother Country and the great Colonies, would be calculated to do a great deal of good in 'the direction of cementing the happy relationships between the Colonies and ourselves, and I feel sure that my col- leagues on the Welsh Football Union would do everything possible to further such a project. Whilst, however, any movement in the direction indicated would receive my cordial support—and, as I have already indicated, I believe I am giving expres- sion to the sentiments of all the members of the Welsh Football Union—I do not think it would be practicable for Wales alone to take it up. It is, in my view, essentially a matter for the International Board, and that for more than one reason. In the first place, I think it is quite out of the question for Wales alone to take up such an undertaking. We could never muster up a sufficiently strong team of men who could afford to be away from their homes and their avocations for such lengthy periods, and I should say it would be far better to abstain from doing anything of the kind rather than send out a weak team, as this would. undoubtedly, tend to lower the prestige which Wales has attained in the football world. If Possible. Let Them Go." Of course, were such a thing possible and about 25 of our best players were available, I should say by all means lot them go; but I do not think they could possibly do so—they could not afford to run the risk of losing their appointments, which would certainly be the case with some of them. On the other hand, if the International Board took the matter up. I see no reason why it could not be done. At present, for reasons which I need not I now enter into, the International Board would not be likely to entertain the pro- posal; but I think there may be some developments before long which will have an effect which might result in the estab- lishment of an Imperial League. If, ¡ theiefore, the matter is mooted, I Am Hopeful I that eventually such a very desirable and I really grand project will be brought to a successful issue by the board—with, of j course, all the assistance which Wate.s could give—and in such an eventuality I I have no doubt Wales would rise to the i occasion and do its proportionate part II well.

Other opinions on this subject I yviu be found on p- 2- I

I Welshmen Up North. I I BRITISH N.U. TEAM TO TOUR COLONIES?! I BY OUR N.U. CORRESPONDENT. J. CRABTREE was born at Cardiff in the year 1886. He has played for Penylan, Pontypridd, London Welsh, Cardiff Seconds, I and Cross Keys. In him the Halifax com- mittee think they have made a fine cap- ture, and his form in practices has made I him a favourite with the Thrum Hall sup- porters. He is fast for a forward, a-nd excels in open play, and is just the type of Northern Union forward. Standing over 6ft., ihe turns the scale at 13st., and it is safe to predict he will go far in Northern Union football. Otf a modest disposition, he 4bas made Eeveral friends in Halifax al- ready, and his career will be watched with interest, by his Welsh friends. Prospects for the emtfinig reason are very bright; in fact, there has not been a better outlook for the Northern Union game since the code smarted. for once the Northern Union OoMimi'tttee have not been tinkering with the Tul--c, of the game, us in past seasons. Letters from New Zealand a-nd Aus- tralia denotes the rapid adv-ane&men-t of the Northern Uniion game there, and it is more than probable a Northern Union picked side will be seen in the Colonies next season play- ing: the Northern Union cluhs there. A pl-easing feature of Northern Union policy is their record for junior football. They are giving it every encotirageinetit, ALnd are looking: after the welfare of the juniors in no small manner. The adoption of the playing fields scheme, which provides play- ing grounds for juniors, is very Hat ferine to the Northern Union Committee. The outlook in Wales, however, is not as grood as might have been, as three clubs have disbanded, but on reliable information the Ebbw Vale Club and the Merthyr Club are doing well, eand the game at these places i" gaining in favour. The change of ground by Merthyr is a move in the right direction, å8 the besi football could net he played on the old ;ground. Putting everything together, the prospects for the Northern UnTon are better this season than in any of the previous years. The Oldiham Club have every prospect of having a good season, considering the talent they have at their command. Deane and Anzelark have been a kind of a reviver to their back diviskoa. and, with Wood and the evergreen Dicky Thomas at full-baok, they should go far. By-the-way, the Capture of C. Evans, I of Temhy, is considered to be a good "cop" I for the club, but good judges declare he ilki not the kind of build for the vigorous Nor- thern Union game, where weight is a good asset to players. It seems Dai Beynon is not coming to Spindledom. Mayibe, it is a ques- tion of terms. They have a good substitute in Brice, of Falmouth, who is a Cornwall Countty pi lyer, and he is reported to be very speedy. M I,-can, the old Cardiff player, is still on the playing list, but somehow he does not show enough ability to get in the first team. Salford, with their capture of Sid Adams, the old Newport and Tredegar player, should have a better record than la-it Adams is one of these players who should do well in the Northern Union pa-me, as he is strong and takes a lot of stopping If he can re- produce his Welsb form Salford has, indeed, made a fine capture. C. Rees, of Penvgraig (brother to Dai Bees), is also said to have shown good form. Johns last, eeaeon played some fine games for Ms club, and will be found again in the full-back position. Wigan, should they do a.s well as last sea- son, will not grumble, but the departure of L. Todd, the All Block, for home will be a great loss to the "cherry and whites," who along with Johnson, who ha-s also left for New Zealand, played in fine form last sea- son. The two new Welsh captures, Randall Da vies and Garnet Nicholls, should prove of good value to the team, but Gleave, on last season's form, will take a lot of shift- ing from half-back. It is said that Gomer Gunlll has not come to terms yet. Bert Jen- kins and Johnny Thomas should be certain of their position, as they played in rare form last eeason. Eandall Daviee has created a favourable impression on the Central Park spectators in practice matches. The outlook of the I-ieeds Club is said to be quite rosy, but notwithfrtanding this there are some who look at the club's pros- pects with gloom. The capture of Saunders, the Pill Harriers' Half-back, should help matters a bit, but. really, the club do not go in to get well known and tried players, but persevere with locals, with the result they have a bad playing record each season. There must, be something wrong with the working of the club, as Headingley is one of the best centres for a good team. Reg. Jones is showing good form at practices, but I fancy Saunders will find the mild methods of Northern Union football easy. Anyway, we shall see. The capture of G. Thomas and Parker, who played with Aberdare last season, has caused great interest Swinton way. Parker shows fine form in practioe. and should make a name for himself. Lavery, the All Black, intends playing for the club. His display for the Leeds and Ieigh clubs &8 been dis- appointing, but, perhaps, Swinton air will agree with him' and bring back a bit of his All Black form. Dan Davies, brother of Dai Davies, the famous half-back, has forsaken I Soooer, and has promised to assist the Swin- ton Club. Halifax once more should be seen in the front rank. After being in the position of having no capable reserves last season to take Dai Thoruasalold Hilton's positions, the club was determined to be in readiness in future. So the services of Eecles, Dai Fur- nish. and Grabtree were secured. I Furnish and Crabtree has shown good form in practices, and the "blue and whites" should be well prepared for the coming season. Furnish has the making of a very good half-back, and if he keeps out of accidents should make a name in Northern Union football. Ratley folk view the coming season with every confidence. The evergreen Wattie Davies, after a season at full-back, will re- turn to the wing position. The return of M. Bevan is eagerly looked for, and rumour has it that Harry Thomas has retired from the game. Will Davies is looked upon ascer- tain to play. The club has decided to, change its old coloqm cerise and fawn, to green and white. That sterling forward, Jim Gath, is to captain the side, and the capture of Jones, the Braanley player, should be of great, benefit. The outlook ait Ruddersfteld is extremely good, and the club has a team that should bring some honours this season. The inclu- sion of Rosf-nfelt, the kangaroo, in the three- quarter line should strengthen it a good deal. Huddersfield has one of the best, if not I the beet, following: in the Northern I Union, and great interest is being shown at Far- I town lately. All the old players have nigned. on, and the supporters look with every oomftdenoe to the team doing well this sea- son. The prospects of the Barrow Club are most pleading, and several good players were found in the recent trial ma1<1hes. Bradford, who will have the services of W. Ea,gers, the old IJunslet centre, in exchange for Brear, who has gone to the Parkside I Club, will, no doubt, have a better ceason I man last. The transfer of Atkins, the Halifax centre, to Bramley will ih-elp to brighten the Barley Mow Club a good deal. The committee intend ?ivin? loca.1 pl&yem a further trial thia seacon. Broughton Kaflgers, after a trying ordeal during the close season, come,, up again, and the outlook at present is very bright. The low position of the club has 'brought Bob Wi ison, the fa,mons -centre, out of his retire- ment, and. with Hogg, will, no doubt, pull the Rangers round again. Willie James haa also signified his intention to play again, and with his brother, Claude, the half-back position should be ably filled. Jackson, the old Leicester centre, who played with the Rangers a few seasons back, intends to once more don the Ranger*' jersey. Dewsbury's prospects are very bright for the coming season, as they have a very promising lot of young and vigorous players. The Crown Fla-tts team can he depended upon to uphold the honour of Shoddytown football. Hull, which generally flatters onty to deceive, look with every confidence to the opening of the fray. Anderson, the old Wigan half, has been selected as captain. It if strange that the Boulevard club cannot get men of the calibre of Franks and Driscoll. The two Welshmen in their old form would be very acceptable to the club at present. Hull Kingston, with their oaptures, Munn. Sunman, and Davison, are confident of a sue. cessful season. Pail Thomas is training very hard, and will spare no pains to get- back into his old form. The Rovers has 1 fcund Welsh players to be bad speculations. as witness Dan Rees and Jowett, who did i lot do the great things the Ro\rs antici- f pated. Jtajrry, Sandham, and Spackman seem to be the oraly Welshmen to do the Rovers justice. Keighley's prospects are not so bright as usual, as several of the old pla.yers have retired. However, the Lawkholme team haa a knack of always rising to a.11 occasions, and will, no doubt, make their presence felt before the season is out. Hunslet cannot look upon the coming sea- son with confidence, as the loss of Albert Goklthorpe and Eagers will be severely felt., The best part of the team will he the for- wards, but the "terrible six" showed indicax tions of deterioration last season. L-eiph. Rochdale, Ituuoorn, St. Helens, Wakefield, Warrington, Widnes, and York aTe all looking forward to having a lcost successful season. St. Helens, who. in bar. ing secured Tu-rtill, the All Black, made < very good capture, looks like being the fore- i front of the clubs. <( Dowel I the Welsh forward, I is stated to have played bus last gaune fee: Warrington.