Morning journal and courier., 1892-12-23
HARMLESS DUEL.

HARMLESS DUEL.
Editor Clemenceau and M. Derou1edc
Satisfy Their Wounded Honor with
Pistols Three Shots Exchanged
without Ehect-The Duelists Con-
graduated ON Their Courage and
Goodness.
PARIS, Dec. 22-General Felix Gustave
Saussier, the military governor of Paris,
refused to act as arbitrator between N.
Deroulede and N. Clemenoeau, and no re-
source was left but for the two deputies
to meet each other on the field of honor.
N. Clemenceau is the editor of La Justice,
and when assailed by N. Deroulede in the
chamber yesterday retorted that Deroulede
lied. The idea of arbitration was every
where ridiculed ss an evidence of coward
ice on the part of N. Dsroulede, who sug-
gested 1t, and General Saussier himself Is
said to have uttered very emphatic re-
mark which showed his view of the case
and put stop to any idea of using the old
soldier as buffer to put stop to a COL
lision. Upon General Saussier's declining
to have anything to do with the affair N.
Deslaudes was appealed to, and he at once
proceeded to srbitrats in a way to bring
things to a climax. He decided that III.
Deroulede and III. Clemenceau should
have an opportunity to take six shots at
each other. The proposition to come as
near as five PAGES he considered too muir
derous and altogether contrary to the ira
ditions of French dueling, SO he held that
the combatants should be placed twenty
five PAGES apart, with the privilege of ad-
vancing three steps during the firing.
1t was the general opinion before the
duel that one or the other of the men
would be killed. Clemenceau has fought
many duels and killed the first man who
faced him. According to Clemenceau's
secretary, his employer visited the Gal
lerie Gastide Rsnnette, a we'll known
shooting gallery, yesterday, and in prac-
PAGES put twenty bullets in succession
into the chest target upon the figure of
man.
The duel took place this morning as ar
ranged. Neither Clemencesu nor De-
roulede was hurt.
AS soon as the decision had been deliver
ed, providing the terms on which the duel
should be fought, Clemencesu and De-
roulede made preparations for the en-
counter. The parting between Deroulede
and his friends, On his start for the duel
ling ground was very affecting. He en-
braced and kissed them repeatedly, and
assured them that he would die in a man
ner worthy of the Legion of Honor. When
one of his friends expressed hope that
the encounter would not have a fatal re-
suit, Deroulede shook his head mourn
fully. He fully expected, he declared, to
lose his life, but had no regrets to express
for what he had uttered. He allowed his
friends to divide few locks of his hair be-
tween them, and then stepped into cab
with his seconds, and was driven rapidly
toward the new race course at st. Ouen.
Meantime NJ. Clemenceau, who Is said to
have spent the morning with Nine. Reich
embsrg, also prepared 10 go to the scens of
mortal combat. He gave directions as
usual about the issue of La Justice and left
orders as to the management of the paper
in the event of any fatality occurring to
him. The staff crowded around their chief
and be kissed aud embraced them each in
turn, while some of them shed tears and
begged him not to expose himself to more
danger than necessary. n. Clemenceau
gently rebuked these advisers. 81 have
stood on the field of honor too often" he
remarked, "to have any apprehension
now" He said that he preferred death to
dishonor, and spoke in tone of resolution
that evoked the admiration of his assist
ants. Ii. Clemenceau was also driven to
St. Ouen, his cab being followed by other
cabs containing newspaper reporters for
various papers.
The two parties repaired to the paddock
of the ST. Ouen race course, and prepare
tions were at once made for the encounter
The seconds measured off the twenty-five
pscea, and the surgeons who accompanied
81, 49, 1al e A..
ready for immediate use in probing for
bullets, etc. The two antagonists were
pale, but showed no sign of weakening.
III. Deroulede kept his eye on the loading
of the pistols, while NJ. Clemenceau walked
about in the paddock waiting for the
word. The pistols having been loaded In
a manner satisfactory to the seconds, the
principals were told to take position.
They both faced each other without ap-
parent emotion, and received the weapons
from the hands Of their seconds. At the
word "fire" both pistols were discharged
almost simultaneously. The bullets flew
wide of the mark.
The seconds and witnesses moved q little
farther off before the second round.
Again the oombatants elevated their
weapons and blazsd away. This time it
was evident that the shots had gone high.
Neither was hurt. n. Clemenceau coolly
raised his'weapon again. A friend rushed
forward, and expressed a hope that the
combatants would consider their honor
satisfied and cease the murderous encoun
ter. Both declared that they must have
another shot. Again the pistols were
raised and two puffs of smoke told that
two bullets had been fred. No harm was
done, although II. Deroulede examined
a corner of his coat with an appearance of
apprehension, but was relieved on discov-
ering it unchanged.
The two seconds then ran up and in
sisted that the duel must terminate; that
both had behaved in most heroic manner
aud that any outrage upon their honor had
been fully vindicsted.
II. Clemenceau and Deroulede consented
to accept the decision and the combat came
to close. The two duelists were over
whelmed with congratulations on the oour
age and GOODNESS they both had exhibited
on the trying occasion, and were escorted
back by crowds of admirers.