The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-12-12
IS OUELS IS RECORD
OF GERMAN OFFICER
Lieutenant Cericke Carrying
Many Scars, Says 1t Is
Easy to Start Them.

KANSAS CITY. Dec. 12.-The scars
that mark the chin and forehead OF
Lieutenant Hans Gericke show that
he Is no Chocolate soldier" Student
and army life in Germany tends to
mar the visage, and the sober lieuten-
ants face Is scanned and slashed from
many a repier thrust.
Lieutenant, did you ever nave a
duel?" friend asked, as the winner Of
the international balloon race and a
party were sitting at table in the
Pompeiin room of the Hotel Balti-
more.
"Duels? Oh, my, yes" the German
laughed. They're common at home.
I've had twenty"
The others present looked at each
other in amazement. The German was
surprised that his remark was consid-
cred unusual.
mo, I'm wrong" he said. IS 1t is
only eighteen. Every army officer
lights duels. We think nothing of it.
But you havn't had one recently?"
some one asked.
mo, not for some time-more than
q year ago l had the last" he replied,
lighting cigaret. The face of the lieu
tenant is the face of soldier and a
Fighter. His chin is prominent, his
Mustache turns up at the ends az
excessively. His manner is not boast
full. He speaks pleasantly. but there
Is something about his eyes that is alb
sent from a man who has led SIM
pie life.
One would hesitate to offend him.
Across his chin and forehead are scars
that cross and recross one another.
On his left temple Is long seam run
ming down to the cheek from a wound
that did not heal smoothly. But the
marks do not dctract from his good
appearance.
You are interested in duels?" he
asked. "They are a part of the life.
It's against the law to fight, but an
officer or student who refuses a
challenge Is an outcast. The army
doesn't want him. Promotion is out Of
the question. The emperor has declar-
ed against duels, but he wouldn't ad-
mire man who was afraid to fight.
THE start of duel is simple. You
are sitting In cafe, and perhaps you
glance at a young woman who Is din
ing with another officer or student.
You look at her again and pretty soon
the escort comes over to your table.
81 don't like that, he says.
Very WE'LL you say. without pay
ing much attention to him.
My cards. he says.
"'And mine.' you answer.
"He goes back to his table. Two or
three mornings later man calls on
you.
Tomorrow morning suit your he
"'With sabers." you reply simply.
And that's all there Is to it except that
you fight him until the surgeon tells
you to stop. You draw blood on his
cheek and the surgeon stops the bout
to make an examination.
Its only a scratch he says. Go
on
when one man is badly wounded, a
blood vessel cut-or he is killed-the
fight stops. l have seen noses sliced
Off and eyes gouged out. l see you
gentlemen looking at my face. Would
you think l was Dragging if l told
you that my opponents have many
worse scars: suppose you would, SO
! will not say
But those who were listening knew
that those who faced Lieutenant Ger
icke had Jared worse, for he is that
kind Of a lieutenant.
Compulsory military life in Germany
Is championed by the lieutenant. Every
boy OF eighteen he says. must enter
the service. II he goes into the infan-
try the term is two years, and if into
the cavalry or artillery he must stay
three years. Physical inability is the
only excuse accepted. II the boy is
not qualified the first year he must
come back the next year and the next
year and then next. If he is not i'm
proved at the last examination he is
allowed to 60 his way.
1.-THE service teaches a boy to tell
one foot from the other" he said.
1.-THE pay amounts to My cents a
day in United States money. For the
cavalry and artillery it is 61s cents,
but that much means more in Ger
many than it does in America. Many
OF the men send money home, as the
government provides many comforts
without cost. After the term expires
the soldier must report every two