The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-23
NO ONE HURT IN THE DUEL.
CLEMENCEAU And DEROULEDE BLAZE
THREE TINES At EACH OTHER.

They shoot mt Twenty-Five Paces-It II Re-
iieved Derouiede Owes His Life TO Clem-
escean's Magnanimity v Ministers and Dep
uties Had Urged the Famous Fighter to
spare Hts ngonist-Deroulede Says
He was saved by Special Intervention OF
tho Divine Power-Both Men Heartily
Welcomed When They Reappeared In
the Chnmber-The Trouble Between elem.
enceau and Miilevoye Is Being Adjusted.
PARIS. Dec. 22.-The Cl6menc eau Deroulede
duel was fought this afternoon In private
park at Saint Rouen. In the presence OF ak
members OF the Chamber OF Deputies and
three other gentlemen including the Paris
correspondent OF The Sun. The seconds had
meeting early this morning to complete ar
rRngements for the encounter. When the
conditions of the meeting became known yes
terday. strong pressure was brought to bear
on both principals by representatives OF the
Government and others to avert the almost
inevitable tragedy. 1t was urged that in the
inflamed state OF tho public mind. such an
incident would add to the perils OF the situa-
ton. The seconds insisted on an important
modification OF the rules. The combatants
did not meet at twenty PAGES. advance to ten
PAGES, and fire at will. 1t was arranged that
the antagonists should stand at twenty-five
PAGES and flro three shots each at the word OF
command.
1t requires expert skill to stand in the
French duelling position pistol ut the side.
and place bullet in its mark sixty feet away
by raising the weapon and firing tho instant
word is given. Very different wore the first
conditions. which allowed deliberate aim and
at less than half the usual distance.
In order to throw Off the scent the scores
who sought to witness the contest. 1t was
quietly given out that the men would fight at
the Chat eau De Chation. and many went there.
The principals left their hotels quietly in
closed carriages soon after noon. and drove at
high speed to the rendezvous. A doctors
coupe; followed Dcroulede's coach. The time
OF tho meeting was O'Clock. Ddroulede ar
rived at the iron gates Of the park fifteen min
utes Lefors the hour The purpose OF the
meeting was instantly OWNED by tho people
Of the neighborhood and u crowd speedily
gathered. but the gates closed against them.
The police in the station directly opposite dis
creetly kept out OF sight
Clcmenceau's carriage did not arrive till
three minutes before the hour. Tho carriages
drove down the shaded path 300 yards from
the entrance and entirely out OF sight OF out
side observers. The park is broad. undu-
| lating eXpanse several acres in extent 1t
level. and Is there FREQ from trees and othor
distractions. At about $50 yards to the left OF
the little grove. where the carriages stopped.
the seconds selected the spot in Il slight de-
preston OF rolling, prairie-lise ground.
Nearly an hour was occupied in making the
selection. marking Off the distance and test
ing the weapons. There was little TO choose
between the respective positions as finally Sc
| lected. The sun was partly obscured. so there
was no glare. The advantage II any was with
NJ. Clemsn csau. who had the sun over his left
shoulder.
While the details were being arranged the
principals waited In their.res pective carriages.
Just before o'clock they walked to the
ground. Zach expressed satisfaction with the
arrangem ents. and while the seconds were ex-
changing the final fornalities Clemenceau
strollod about with cigar in his mouth. his
coat collar turned UP. and both hands In his
pockets. He was perfectly cool and was only
annoyed. apparently. at being obliged to wait
SO long in tho chilly winter air. D6rouleds.
equally collected. was seemingly less inter
ssted in the proceedings than any OF the spec
tators.
There was more than ten minutes delay be-
fore the men were called to their places. and
it seemed a relief to each that no moro time
was to be wasted. Deroulede instantly re-
moved his coat and hat and took his position.
He was little PALE but without sign Of nerv-
ousness The long duelling pistol was handed
to him by his second. He took it calmly and
stood some moments waiting for his adversary
to make ready. His magnificent physique OF
almost giant proportions made him most
striking figure as lie stood silhouetted against
tho sky. A slight breeze tossed his long hair
about his forehead.
He was already in duelling position facing
hta pfnfyn nis ~ vIf afn fulG I,
seconds. Clemenceau did not throw Off his
coat till the last moment. Then he handed
his hat to a friend took his pistol and was in
stantly ready for the word
The great maker OF Cabinets. tho hero OF a
score OF duels. was undoubtedly the calmest
man upon tho field. His rather slight figure
appeared almost puny In contrast with that OF
his antagonist. but his cold. Bismarckian face
and keen gray eyes marked him as the mas
ter Of the situation. No one doubted that he
held the life OF his opponent in his hands
:. In loss than sixty seconds after Clemenceau's
seconds left his side the word was given. Tho
men lifted their weapons quite deliberately
and fired the moment they reached the level
OF the eye. CGmenceau's pistol spoke a frac- !
ton OF n second before that Of DeroulGde'a
Both men were untouched. As soon as tn Is
was perceived o second fastened to each with
fresh pistol. In scarcely more than min
ute word was given again. This time De lou.
lade fred Arst but by al instant only. Again
tho duelists stood unframed. Pistols (were
again handed to them. and when the (word
was given for the third time the reportk were
rs one Deroulede made movemenv which
for moment gave tho impression thar
ClGmenceaus bullet had entered his right
arm. but such was not tho case. lHoth wsro
unscathed. The conditions OF thH contest
were fulfilled. and the two principals met and
exchanged the usual formalites in ] no curtcst
and bliefest manner. Tho two parNie at once
separated and repaired to theirI respective
carriages. in which they drove raj idly away.
In the opinion OF all present, DcJoulade owes
his life to Cl6menceau's magnani3nity. There
is proof OF this in the great RADICALS duelin.,
record. In his first encounter he told his Sec
onds he would put q bullet in the forehead OF
his antagonist Just above then right eye.
Cltmenccau killed tho man Precisely as
he said he would On anothtSr occasion
ClGmenceau declared that he Would take
A. IL. Na.v n..tr N