Abstract

The author explains the reasons for the contrasting views held on the boxer James Leslie Darcy. He gives a brief history of the boxer's circumstances up until his departure from Australia and explains how this boxer caused such diverse feelings among the Australian people. The author describes the reaction of the boxing community, of the Federal Government, and various individuals who were in contact with newspapers in America (R.L. Baker and H.D. Mcintosh). He examines the class conflict in war-time Australia and shows how Darcy was caught up in this class conflict. Darcy was Catholic and his disappearance led to various accusations being made by the Protestants aimed at the Catholics. The author describes in detail the class antagonism and bitterness between the Catholics and Protestants. Eaton