The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-01
DIV IS per cent and paid by 18th of month following 10

would be satisfied by one of the number
being delegated to fight Won Kotze's chal-
lenge in the name of the entire eight The
lot fell on Baron Won Reischach, Court
marshal of the Empress Frederick and he
straightway lodged a bullet in the thigh of
the unlucky Baron Non Kotze when they
met in single combat. 1t is from the bed to
which he will be confined for some weeks
to come that he has dispatched a cartel to
Duke Ernest Guuther, the only brother Of
the empress, to whom rightly or wrongly.
the baron attributes indiscreet association
with foreign woman now known to have
been the author of the anonymous letters
and grave responsibility in connection with
the latter Indeed, there are many people
who do not hesitate 10 assert that much OF
the information contained in the letters
was obtained from the duke.
Under ordinary circumstances the duke
would be under no obligation to accept
the baron's challenge, According to the
code of honor men are compelled to ac-
cord satisfaction to those who can lay any
pretensions to being their equals in social
rank Thus a nobleman is debarred from
fighting a duel with a tradesman, and it
is this that renders officers on the con-
tinent so quick to answer on the spot
with a sword thrust any blow or insult
received from a stranger, since they never
know if ne is of sufficient quality to af-
ford them satisfaction on the field of
honor; while if the indignity remains I'M
avenged they are compelled to resign
their commissions. In the same way
colonel or a general can on the same
ground of inequality of official rank de-
cline TO accept a challenge from a lieu
tenant or captain, and in 1853 the Marquis
de Galliffet, at that time colonel of a reg
iment of Chasseurs d'Afrique, was tenn
rorarilv placed on the retired list for
having. in defiance of all etiquette and
precedent fought duel with one Of his
Iieutenants of his regiment, the late
Prince Achile Murat, who committed SUI
icide a few months ago in Russia.
with regard to royalty, there nave been
remarkably few instances where a prince
of the blood has consented to respond to
a cartel from social inferior, and the
results have not been of character to
encourage the practice For there Is at
tho nresent moment in this country "A
German nobleman of very ancient lin
cage Count Wedel, who was forced to
expatriate himself many years ago for
having had the misfortune to kill in a
duel a royal parsonage. The count, who
was the chief OF the household of ex-king
George of Hanover, and his most de-
voted and trusted follower became in
volyed. while in attendance upon that ex-
lied monarch at Vienna. in some discus
sion with his masters nephew, Prince
Solms.
The latter lost his temper completely
and struck the count in the face. Wedel
had two courses open to him. either to
induce the prince to fight duel with him,
or to blow out his own brains, much In
the same manner as the Japanese noble
men were wont in times gone by to com
nit hari-kari when subjected to any in
dignity. the stain Of which they were un-
able to efface on the spot by shedding their
adversaries' blood. Several instances could
he mentioned in which notions of this
kind have led to the suicide of officers
in continental armies, and the present En-
neror of Germany, the late Prince Charles
of Prussia. brother OF old Emperor VIII
liam. the late Crown Prince Rudolph II
Austria. and the late King Alfonso Of
Spain are each credited with the RESPONSE
biity of the death of young officers in
this manner. Although Count Wedel was,
in the eyes of unprejudiced people, I'm no
wise 10 be blamed for the duel, since il
was agreed by all military men that he
could not continue to wear his officers
uniform while leaving unavenged the
blow which he had received, yet he was
bitterly reproaehed by all the reigning
houses Of Europe 10 which young Prince
Solms was related for his death. SO i'm
bued were they with the inviolable and
sacred character Of royal personages as
the anointed of the Lord that they did
not hesitate to denounoe the hostile en-