The morning times., 1896-04-12

Berlin, April 1.-THE annual Congress of
the German Adelstag tthe nobility was
convened today. Among the questions dis
cuSSed of special interest to the ariStocracy
OF Germany was that OF the due 10, apropos
OF the incidents which are now exciting
society and the general public alike.
This question was discussed exhauStively
and it was finally resolved as the result
or the debate that it is not brand OF
dishonor for nobleman to refuse 10 fight
duel If the grounds OF his refusal are
hOnora BILE.
1t was also agreed to appoint a court
OF honor with Il view TO the regulation
of such differences as have hitherto been
referred to the duel court, which has as
its fixed principle the settlement OF dis
putes 10y plStoi or rapier. This pronounce
ment, together with the growing force of
current opinion in regard TO the code duello,
may have the effect TO modify the existing
custom, but it is very doubtful whether il
will be efficacious in eradlcating 1t. as
il is generally felt that the custom is too
firmly fixed.
The emperor's prohibltory order against
dueiling has utterly failed to lesson the
frequent since the issuance of the Kaiser's
decree than ever before.
FRIENDS MADE EFFORTS.
berecht Won Kotze and Baron Won Schrader,
near Potsdam, yesterday, furnishes an in
stance OF the difficulty of getting quar-
rel settled 10y means OF court OF honor.
The friends of both of these principals
were unceasing in their efforts to prevent
a fight, but courts OF honor. composed OF
Officers of two regiments, instead or making
an attempt to reach 81 pacific settlement OF
the affair, decided that Won K0tZe ought
to accept challenge from Won Schrader.
Won KUtze opposed this method of settling
his charges against Won Schrader, where
upon these courts decided that. in the event
OF his refusal To accept the challenge, he
must at once cease to be an officer.
The emperor at this juncture Intervened,
urging Baron YOn Schrader TO refuse TO
accept the decision of the courts OF honor,
while near relatives of both the disputants
entreated them not to engage in Il duel
for fear Of the social odium that would
attach to the encounter
The knowledge. that the leading section
of society would cut them no weyer, finally
compelled them to fight.
Baron Won Schrader is still lying uncon-
sciouS in the hospital at Potsdam and is
lingering at the point of death. His wife
is ceaseiessIy watching at his bedside and
a host of members OF the court circle are
calling to inquire as To his condition. The
messag ge OF sympathy.
SYMPATHIZE WITH BOTH.
In the meantime Won KotZe is holding
protracted receptions to those who come
10 congratulate him, number of whom,
when calling upon him, have Just come
from the hospital where they had left
sympathetic messages for Won Schrader.
Won Kotze confidently expects to be
imprisoned in fortress for. his part in
the affair. His second in the duel, Capt.
Won KotZc. and Won Schrader's second,
Gen. Won Kissing, Will also be sent to q
fortress without doubt. The public are
now asking The question whether the en-
peror VIII take other measures to show
his displeasure and his discouDtenance of
future duelling.
The Eossischc Zeitung in an article on
the subject says: when high court Of
fiCialS set such an example OF IaW-breaking
it is mockcry to ask the people to unite
in a struggle to defend religion and NOR
ality. Won Kotze has more affairs OF the
same kind on hand. Must there be more
victims and nothing done to prevent these.
SACRIFICES? Can the supporters of dueIilng
believe that the issue of such an encounter
proves that one combatant is right and
the other wrong? 1t is a barbarous re ference
to the ordeal and disgraceful to modern
ideas, making the aristoCracy contempt
ible in tue yes OF the social democracy"