The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-12
SPORTS
FRANCE AND ITALY
Leading Exponents of Two Schools
of Fencing Meet at Naples to
Decide Superiority. ..
Local Experts Discuss the Relative
Merits of the Two Styles of ,
- craftsmanship. -.

Local fencers manifest considerable i'll
terest in the meeting at Naples Of NM.
Marignac and Kirchaffer, the, well known
French masters of the foil, and Signori
Vega and PeSSini, the Italian experts.
The contest is designed to determine the
superiority of the two national styles of
sWordsmanship, over which there has
been an embittered controversy.
) Professor P. A. Carciotni Of the Mime
apolis Athletic club, himself a~fencer of
some reputation, and who received his
Instruction In the Italian school, thus
sizes up the two styles of fencing:
1.-The principal difference between the
French and Italian schools is that the
Italians use their feet more. An italian
expert Is continually shifting his ground,
darting in and out, in a manner to con-
fuse his opponent. The -Frenchman MAIN
tains one position throughout the bout,
and brings his wrist and forearm more
into play
80 Naturally, think the Italian system
the more effective, that Is to sav. think
an Italian expert would in tt majority
Of cases defeat a French master. The
italian fencer is more aggressive, and it
Is harder to maintain defense against
this style of attack than against the
French system. The French style Is
heater. and perhaps better for women.
who hardly have the strength to fence
In tho italian manner.
IT know Signor Pessini very we'll by
reputation. He is from Tuscany, and is
a; con1patriot Of mine. He is undoubtedly
the greatest master Of the foil in Europe,
or In fact, in the world, Vega is a Nea-
politan, but do not know. so much about
his work. Possibly he is a broadswords-
man. ..,.'
1.-Two or three years ago Pavese. a noted
Italian fencer, and a pupil Of Pessni, came
to New York and challenged any fencers
in the country to a bout. One day he
fought steadily for twelve hours, defeat
ing all who came against him. French
German and Americans. At the end Of
that time there were no men left to face
him. + feel confident that the Italians
will win their matches at Naples"
Professor F. r. LeRoux. local expert
Of the French school, feels just as con-
fident that the Gallo masters Will win
their bouts. He said to-day:
Klrchotfer the Best Ever.
I'M. Kirchoffer. is the finest master Of
the foil in all the world. M. Mergnac also
IS T. noted fencer, although not the equal
Of Kirchoffer. The latter is a terror, and
has never found his match yet. kirchoffer
is a pupil Of Vigeant. and Vigeant was a
pupil Of Jean Louis. a noted swordsn1an of
the time Of the first Napoleon. 1t will be
remembered that when the French army
under NAPOLEON was fighting in Spain.
italy was under French domination, and
many Italians were serving in the French
army The controversy in regard to the
respective merits of the two styles Of fem
cling was just as bitter then as it is now,
and countless duels resulted. Finally
Napoleon forbade any more international
duels, but granted permission for tourn
ament between twelve representatives
from each school, to settle once for all the
question of superiority.
= Jean Louis was the first Frenchman tt
be pitted against an italian. and he killed
his antagonist in short order He was
then entitled to leave the field to the other
French representatives, but he insisted
on continuing. One by one he met anc
defeated every Of the twelve Italian
masters, killing nine of them and disabling
the other three. These are historical
facts, and show from what manner Of
men Krchoffer received his instruction.
again, at tournament held in Eng