Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1908-03-26
RUSSIAN GENERALS
IN FATAL DUEL
SmyrnoH Receives Fatal Wound
From the Pistol
Of Fock.

st. Petersburg, March 20 Lieutenant
General Smyrnoff probably was fatally
wounded in a duel fought here this
morning with Lieutenant General Fock.
Tn men mel in the riding school of
the chevalier guard regiment n
fought with pistols. a distance OF 20
PAGES separating them when the shots
were exchanged.
The duel was caused by y mclnoran-
dunn written by General Smyrnoff on
the siege OF Port Arthur in which he
questioned the courage OF General Fock.
The latter considered his honor and
reputation involved n challenged the
author of the memorandum to fight.
The affair was an echo of the recent
court martial of the Russian generals
in command OF the troops ut sort Ar
thur. by which General Stoessel was
given a death sentence. later COM
1nuted to 10 years imprisonment in II
fortress. Genera Fock, who command
ed the Fourth East Siberian division
at Port Arthur. was ordered repri-
manded for a disciplinary ofYcnse not
connected with the surrender. Genera
Smyrnon. acting commander of the
fortress. and Major General Eeiss, chief
OF staff to General Stoessel. was ac-
quilted OF the charges against them be-
cause of lack OF proof.
General Smyrnon's secret report OF
the defense OF Port Arthur was the
basis OF he Indictments on which
Generals Stoessel, Fock and Reiss were
tried.
Several Women Present.
The riding school was placed at the
disposition OF the combatants by the
commander Of the regiment and the
duel occurred with the full knowledge
and appreciation OF the military author
tiles.
II was witnessed by several officers
OF high It Is ven reported tina
severa women We're present.
Shortly before 10 o'clock Generals
FNock and Smyrnoff appeared Mt h III
ing school. Without saluting they took
their places assigned by their seconds.
For General Smyrnoff the seconds were
his brotherinlaw, Vladimir M. Purish-
kevich. a member OF the duma, and
Captain Schultz, Of h navy. while for
General FOck. Captain SidO, adjutant
to General Stoessel. and Lieutenant
Podgursky. one Of the Port Arthur he
roes, of1ciated.
The distance between the combatants
was 20 PAGES. The duelists were in
structed to open fire at word of com
mand n continue until one or the
other was killed.
Fourth Shot Tells.
At Fock's fourth shot, Smyrnoff
groaned n sank forward. He was
wounded In the abdomen above the
right hip. He was carried in a litter
to a military hospital, where doctors
this afternoon employed Roentgen rays
to locate the bullets.
The word "Fire!" was given zach
time by General Kireieff, n Russian au-
thority on duelling. At the second ex-
change Fock's coat was perforated. At
the third exchange Smyrnoff accident
ally fired prematurely. but Fock mag
unanimously declined to shoot his de-
fcnseless opponent, and the fourth and
hnal shots were exchanged.
Another Duel.
The duel will be followed by another
between General Fock and General
Corbatoffsky, commander of the west
ern front at Port Arthur. who severely
criticised Fock during the court mar
tai proceedings. Corbatoffsky sent sec
onds some time g to Fock, but failed
to secure permission to fight the duel.