The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-24
BY r. M. Larner.

Washington, May 2S.-Fencing is
rapidly becoming one of the most at
tractive pastimes among the members
of the smart set in Washington. Hav-
ing fun with the foils appears to have
had its origin at the national capital
with the members of the diplomatic
corps. President Roosevelt, Gen. Wood
and other members of the American
colony here have contributed largely
to the enthusiasm and encouragement
of this, strictly speaking, foreign sport.
There are about 200 ladies and gen.
tIemen in washington taking lessons
in fencing with foils, sabers, and
sword-sticks. For many years past
certain members Of the diplomatic
corps. principally the representatives
of Russia, France, Germany and 9TH
err European powers assigned to duty
in washington, have in quiet way,
kept up their interest in fencing.
Few Americans in official and social
circles. took UP the sport but 1t did
not gain much Roadway until ABOUT
three wears ago, when the Washington
Fencing Club was formed. This organ
ization started out with about sixteen
members; to-day II numbers seventy
ave active members, with Count Cas-
SIM, Russian ambassador, and dean OF
the diplomatic corps as president. Tne
membership includes representatives
of the italian, French, German and
English embassies, also many of the
leading society men and women of the
national capital. The members are as
follows:
T. A. Palmer, Count Cassini, ]. H.
Corning, Luis r. Corea, II. II. Droop,
John ]. Early, Oglesty Griffith, de
Faramong Lafojoie, Henry May, Lo-
gan Waller Page, ~. S. Simpkins, Per-
cy Wyndham. Reginald deKoven, @.
A. M. Wele A. @, McClintock, VIM. j.
Peters. Edwin Sunderland Tracey,
Martin Garcia Meron. Walter A. Wells,
Paul Warrington Evans, Count c. Del
la Cherardesoa, A. J. Parsons, Francis
B. Wheaton, Alfred r. Brooks, VIM. B.
CrowelI, Theodore w. Pietsch, G. Fitz-
hugh Talman. Fairfax Harrison,
Pierre Rogestvensky, Baron G.
Franckenstein, Juan Riano, Joan z. p.
des Garennes, Gen. Leopard Wood. r.
C. w. P. Coppinger, Robt. w. Wells,
Julius F. Funk, d. 3. T. Johnson, r.
r. Lewis, e. p. Rowland, z. f. Riggs,
dul lhChin Nv 0hfNAet W 0t0IAtoA
Lindgren, ], M. Leger.
Count Cassini, although veteran, is
an enthusiastic lover of the sport. and
he handles the foil with skill equalled
by but few of his juniors. His daugh-
ter, Countess Margaret Cassini, is a
graceful and clever handler of the foil,
although she is not as skillfu1 nor as
strong in the play as some of her
American associates. Count Gherer-
= u 80 - Tt,If -.
embassy, is very good with the foil.
Mr., Percy Wyndham, second secretary
of the British embassy, handles the
sabre more skillfully, perhaps, than
any member of the school.
Lieutenant Commander Deiafajole,
naval attache of the French embassy,
Is exceedingly expert with due1ing
foils. Senior Corea, Minister from Mic
arauga, Is an ambitious member of the
class, and is in hopes Of dividing hon.
ors with some of his European asso-
ciates at the coming competition for
club honors. Mr.. Leger, Minister from
Hayti, is an enthusiast IN sword games,
and Is pronounced one OF the cleverest
members Of the class. Several ladies'
in the diplomatic set belong 10 the
school, but Countess Cassini Is about
the only one who IN regular In her at
tendance az the club exercises.
The best fencer in Washington. and
perhaps one Of the best amateur fenc-
ers IN the United States, IL Mr.. John
Earle OF this city. a young man OF
about 20 years. He has met an corners
with the foiis or with eword-stichs and
bested the champions from Yale and
the Naval Academy. His friends pre-
diet that he IL capable ~ carrying
or championship hon0rH IN any anna
feur contest throughout the United
states.
Among the lady members % the fGnc.
Inc school Mas Lieber. daughter OF
itfig. Gen. Lieber. III. 81. A.. retired. "A