The Washington herald., 1908-06-29
POETSPLAN FOR DUEL
Levy and Strack Win Fight
with Halberds, Maybe.
HARA-KIRI Is NOT APPROVED
German Rhymester AgErieved at the
Criticism of Former Colleague and
Challenge Issues Forthwith mt the
Saengerbund Mecting-PIan TO Take
Part in District Building Exercises.

Invitations have been received by the
Washington Saengerbund from the chair
man OF the music committee at the
dedication of the District Building to
participate at the ceremonies on the
Fourth Of July and contribute 20 the pro-
gramme with the rendition OF patriotic
songs.
The invitation has been accepted. and
the Saengerbund. in connection with the
other singing societies. has had a number
OF rehearsals the past week. preparing for
the event Prof. Henry Xander, musical
director of the Saengerbund. will be in
charge Of the chorus, and the programme
includes the three patriotic choruses, My
Country. 'Tis Of Thee" Columbia. the
Gem of the Ocean," and THE Star
Spangled Banner"
At the last meeting Of the Columbia
Turnverein IL was decided TO take part In
the city hall dedication ceremonies, and
communication 10 that effect was or
dered forwarded 20 the chairman Of the
arrangements committee. with the re-
quest 10 assign a place in the parade and
ceremonies TO the Turner's. who intend to
make their appearance In their regulation
uniform. with the Stars and Stripes and
the verein banner at the head Of the
column.
DiscOrd Crops Out.
The apple OF discord has been thrown
into the midst Of the Washington Dichter-
bund, and what the consequences viii be
II is hard 10 foretell One challenge OF
mortal combat has already been issued
and others may follow. The poets are
using every effort 10 keep the matter sub
rosa. in order 10 throw Mai. Sylvester's
sleuths off the scent. They are sworn
to secrecy, and nobody but those most
intimately concerned in the matter are
allowed 20 give uttersnce TO their lacer-
ated feelings and their thoughts OF sweet
revenge.
Adolph Levy, first jester Of the Saen-
gerbund and poet extraordinary OF the
Dichterbund, and Or. Christian Strack,
official critic Of the poets have never
been able 10 agree as 70 the merits and
demerits of the rhymes which were sub
mitted 70 the high judgment Of the club.
Or. Strack called Brother Levy names
which his poetical soul could not brook,
and rebelled. Levy composed a letter in
the German language resenting DR..
Strack's depreciation of his Levy's)
poetical Inspirations. and published II in
the Washington Journal (Germanl. Of
which Dr. StraCk is the editor The latter
felt himself aggrieved way down in his
innermOst pOetical soul and heart and
swOre revenge.
Challenged to Duel.
. -
last Saturday night. DR.. Strack in the
presence Of the poet laureate and the
testers and extraordinaries. challenged
Levy 10 a duel DR.. Strack declared that
his dichter feelings had been dreadfully
hurt. in fact. beyond repair. and that he
must right the wrong. He forthwith IS
used the challenge. Hon. Levy ac-
companied by his most intimate friends
and admirers. retired 10 the arsenal of
the Saengerbund, where they inspected
the dueling weapons, Being the chai-
lenged party DR.. Levy selected old
fashioned halberds. His seconds advised
him TO propose the Japanese method OF
dueling 70 Dr.. Strack. in which case he
would have .Ap commit hara-kirl first,
which would I'VE to be followed by the
other party he pact.
When infossy by Hugo Schultze and
Henry Scheuermann that he would also
have 70 commit hara-kiri. Herr Levy de-
cllned this mode OF getting even. The
affair is 10 be pulled off between to-day
and next Monday at a place selected by
the seconds only.
Christian Heurich was elected Mund-
schenck Of the Poets. In place OF Chris
tian Xander. who died recently, and who
had been the Mundschenk OF the Poets
for many years.