Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-02
THE CODE DUELLO.
Duelling on the Continent OF Eu-
rope.
The Deadly Mode Of Fighting Which Pre-
walls la Rassia-Popaiar Sentiment
ln France FaVors Personal
Encounters.


dAyAcs Inc CuD1ALDuo VI tncoo Ch-
counters take place between private sol
diers. Ia every French regiment are 10 be
found two or three hrst-rate swordsmen,
commonly called des tGteRrs, whose espec-
ial business il Is 70 test the nerve OF any
recruit suspected OF a deficiency of ply
steal courage. On the most frivolous pre-
text the tdteur fastens quarrel on the un-
fortunate R0aoeda, and the unanimous
voice Of the regiment declares that honor
demands blOodshed. The encounter takes
place in the presence OF four non commits
stoned officers and OF the regimental fenc-
ing master, who stands by, sword in hand,
ready To parry any too dangerous thrust.
The weapon used in the cavalry is the
sabre, and in the infantry the ordinary
sword bayonet, and the issue is generally
harmless enough, although cases have been
known OF the tatetr himself coming 20 grief
through the recruit going for his adver-
sary.
La society, and especially among gentle
men connected with what the French term
ld petite preSse, a very similar rule prevails,
but with one important modification. The
tGteair is here conspicuous by his absence,
and the young aspirant TO social or jour-
nalstic honOrs is expected TO Jdire Ses
preaCes by deliberately picking a quarrel
with some eligible opponent. The weapon
used in these affairs OF honor is almost in
variably the small sword, the pistol being
considered far too dangerous an arm-the
issue OF these encounters is as a rule
scratched finger or forearm. Occasionally,
when political or other considerations rem
der even a scratch undesirable, pistols are
resorted TO, but with peculiar precautions.
Thus NJ. Gambetta and De Foutou-the
former being one-eyed and the latter near
ly blind-were put up in a dense fog at
forty PAGES to exchange shots with very
short -barrelled smooth bore pistols. In
short, nine out of ten French duels may be
looked upon as mere farces played for the
amusement of the gallery. The excellent
health enjoyed by NM. Rochefort, De Cas-
sagnac and Carle des Perrieres, who
among them have been out over fifty
times, adds strong confirmation to this
view of the matter.
In both Italy and Spain duels are fre-
quent; but in both countries the saber is
used, to the almost complete exclusion of
the small sword. Indeed, the prejudice
against the latter arm is so strong in Italy
that it is all bat impossible to find seconds
who will consent to act in duel a., lepee.
The natural result is that, while a fatal is
sue is rare, the ugly gashes in the face are
very common. In both these countries the
penalty for duelling, as in France, is mere
ly nominal.
Throughout Germany, including Prus-
sia, Austria and the minor States, a very
different rule prevails. With the excep-
tion of the oft-described "Schlager" duels
among university students, which are still
winked at, encounters between civilians
are punished with considerable severity,
the ordeal of single combat being
a privilege practically reserved for the
army. In the event of two officers falling
out, court of honor (Ehrengericht), gen.
orally composed of five superior officers and
presided over by the Colonel of their regi-
ment or the General commanding the dis
trict, carefully investigates the whole
affair and decides whether an apology
shall be rendered aud accepted or whether
an encounter is necessary. The decision of
the court is final, and any officer refusing
to comply with it would be compelled to re-
tire from the service, while any duel un-
lead to the cashiering of the offenders.
Pistols are almost invariably used, at a
distance Of twelve PAGES; and, German
officers being as a rule very good shots,
fatal consequences are not infrequent. By
a strange anomaly, the verdict of the
EhrenqeTlcM does not entirely cover the
responsibility of the combatants. In the
event of fatal issue, the survivor is liable
to suffer term of open arrest in fortress,
varying from two to six months. A Ger
man officer thus finds himself placed in the
dilemma of refusing to fight and being
compelled to retire, or of fighting and
running the risk of being placed under ar
rest for doing so.
In no country are duels more frequent or
more murderous than in Russia; the Rus
slams being, especially when in their cups,
as quarrelsomeas courteous to foreigners.
The mode of combat universally adopted
is that termed the duel a Ia bdTriere; the
opponents being put up at fifteen PAGES,
with liberty to advance five PAGES each at
a given signal, and to fire at will. Should
one of them fire and miss, his adversary is
entitled to complete his five PAGES before
returning the shot. Many cases have been
known in which duelist, although mortally
wounded, has yet retained sufficient
strength TO take steady aim and fire with
fatal effect. The great Russian poet Push
kin was kill-d in duel Ia bdrTIere after
severely wounding his antagonist.
In the Baltic Province system prevails
which at first sight appears even more
murderous. The adversaries are placed
only three PAGES apart; the pistols are
held with the muzzle pointing upward, and
are brought down and discharged at
given signal It may appear almost inn
possible for two men TO miss each other at
50 short distance: but this is not the case.
Each Of the opponents is SO desperately
anxious 60 gain the least fraction of sec
ond on his adversary that, on the signal
being given, the weapons are often brought
down with 80 hurried and violent jerk
that the bullets bury themselves In the
ground. At duel fought last year at
Riga between an officer and student in