Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-03
A FORTUNE TO ESCAPE A DUEL.

A French Spectator Avoids Fighting by
Giving a Million Francs to tho Poor.
Special Cable to the New York Herald.
PARIS. MAY 2.-Nothing has been talked
about 80 much in Paris during the past week
as the affair of Breteuil and Ephrussi and the
singular denouement in the gift Of a million
francs to the poor Of Paris. The facts are az
follows:
Every one was astonished last Thursday
morning upon reading in several news
papers that Vicomte Egason de Breteuil, in
consequence Of heavy financial losses and Rus
sian grain speculation made at the instigation
of Michael Ephrussi, had demanded Of the lat
ter to do one Of three thinss-to resign from
the Circle Royal. to fight series Of duels until
one Of the adversaries should be killed or Sc
verely wounded or to give 1,000, 900 francs to
the Paris poor.
1t subsequently turned out that NJ. de Bre-
teuil had lost large sums i'll grain speculation
entered into upon NJ. Ephrussis advice. The
Vicomte Breteuil had never made personal
grievance OF his losses but was offended at NJ.
Ephrussis having induced some Of his friends
to follow his example.
FIGHT OR PAY UP.
n. de Breteuil, in fact. paid his indebtedness,
which reached the figure Of 400 ,000f, and al
lowed q month to elapse before insisting on the
explanation which took place in the visitors
room Of the Rue Royale Club.
In this conversation N. Breteuil accused NJ.
Ephrussi of inducing his friends to speculate in
grain while aware that the chances were that
NJ. Ephrussi should either resign from the club
or fight duel, the choice Of weapons being
left to NJ. Ephrussi. Instead OF naming sec
onds NJ. Ephrussi asked several friends to try
and prevail upon NJ. Breteuil to change his
mind, but this NJ. Breteull declined to do.
MILLION TO THE POOR.
NJ. Ephrussi then proposed a compromise by
offering to give a million francs to the poor.
NJ. de Breteuil declared that being unable to
obtain any offer Of satisfaction he did not feel
justified in depriving the poor Of Paris Of such
gift.
NJ Breteuil declined to distribute the million
to the poor himself. as he says he does not wish
any personal prestige TO be reflected by the
generous act of his adversary. and SO the fund
will be administered by common friends in
Ephrussi's name.
1t is only fair to put on record that M.
Ephrussi WAS at the time of the occurrence and
is now suffering from govt. which makes him
quite lame, and in the opinion Of his maitre
d'armes, who is also the fencing master of the
Vicomte de Breteuil. renders him incapable Of
appearing on the terrain.
VI. EpnruSsl mas not lett Paris. put receives
no one, being confined by his illness, which a
recent death in his family and the events above
mentioned have not tended to alleviate.
ONE DUEL AND MORE TO COME.
NJ. Drumont of the Libre Parole is opening
fire upon Ephrussi, while on Sunday Camille
Dryfus, the well-known deputy, whose duel
with the Marquis de Mores a few days ago was
the Partisan sensation Of the hour. has pub
lished an article in his paper, La Nation, which
NJ. de Breteuil deemed a reflection upon his
character.
NJ. Breteuil on Sunday morning. accom-
panied by two Of his friends, Comte de Dion
and Capt. CARDBOARD, called upon NJ. Dryfus
and offered HIM personal and corporal insult,
whereupon NJ. Dryfus on Monday morning sent
his seconds to NJ Breteuil.
In consequence duel was fought at the foot
of Mount Vslarian at o'clock on Monday
afternoon. Two bullets were exchanged at the
word Of command without any result. 1t is
expected that several other duels now on the
tapis will be the outcome of all this.