March 29, 2024

Today 100 years ago: an anti-boxing movement in England

Today 100 years ago: an anti-boxing movement in England

A friend of this body culture warns of an official crusade against boxing.

Neue Freie Presse of November 16, 1922

If the quiet native of Central Europe is unable to develop a taste for the game of fists, even if he dares to call this so-called sport impertinent because it exposes the undisciplined passions of primitive people in fearful natural reproduction, the example of England looks upon him with a very reprimanding expression: ‘Behold England, The land of splendid wholesome sport of every kind! Where one is admitted to stand on one of the highest steps of civilisation, boxing is established and valued as a sport in all circles of society.”

And the quiet Central European should be ashamed of being silent. The effect of this insinuation is equal to a well-aimed blow to the point, a slam dunk in a conflict of taste to which the disqualification motion does not apply. But what boxing fans unconditionally make is now their opponents’ strongest argument, as England is tired of boxing. True, the Volksstorm has not yet revolted against this display of brute force, but opposition, a growing opposition, is undermining enthusiasm for this type of game. In a widely read London newspaper, a friend of this body culture warns of an official crusade against boxing and recommends like-minded people calmly accept the ban on fighting seki and thus take arms from their opponents.

After all, Beckert could also compete with Siki in Paris, Rotterdam or Berlin. But everything depended on curbing the opposition, which was still secretly intangible, but felt. Care must be taken to extricate the government from this dangerous influence, and as it was certain that a great impetus was to be expected after the election, he urged friends to prepare. However, there is not much concrete information to be found on this lawsuit. But what is of value is the reassuring certainty it affords, that even a boxing opponent in Central Europe can count himself unabashedly among the intellectuals.

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Today 90 years ago: Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks on the art of politics

Not a job, but a calling. This is politics, writes the newly elected president of the United States.

Neue Freie Presse of November 15, 1932

Politics in general is not a profession in the United States. I understand by occupation a permanent occupation of a man or a woman, which they may practice for their whole lives. If you look at our history, you will quickly realize that the presidents of our country, such as Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Cleveland, Roosevelt or Milton, have held office for a relatively short period of their lives. However, for years they had a wide influence on public opinion, and in many cases played an active role within the party. Can a young man interested in government or public affairs, I ask, make as good a career in politics as in a lawyer, engineer, professor, or businessman? I think the answer should be an emphatic and definitive “No”.