Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1898 — DUELING IN EUROPE. [ARTICLE]

DUELING IN EUROPE.

Bome Peculiar Methods Among the Italians and {Spaniards. Though forbidden by 'law and punishable by imprisonment in a fortress., dueling is very common among the officers of the German army, says Chambers' Journal. Until recently they have been bound by the military code of honor to accept challenges, though they were not allowed to fight a tradesman. In 1887 an officer was expelled from the army for refusing to accept a challenge. But the Emperor of Germany prohibited dueling a short time ago and decreed that disputes should be settled by a court of honort In Austria the duel, though less common, is far more deadly than In France and Germany. Pistols are the usual weapons and the antagonists are pliiced only a few paces from each other. With the sword long and furious duels are also fought out. Both military men and civilians fight with great bitterness.

Russian duelists stand fifteen yards apart and they are allowed to advance five paces at a given signal and fire at ■will. If both parties advance to the limit before firing the distance between them is reduced to five yards. Should one fire and miss the other is allowed to advance Ills five paces before returning fire. Sometimes one is mortally wounded before firing, but has still sufficient strength left to advance five-, yards, take steady aim and shoot his opponent dead. In the Baltic provinces this sanguinary method is replaced by oue still more horrible. The combatants stand only three paces apart; the pistols are held pointing upward, and at a given signal they are lowered and discharged. It would seem impossible to avoid killing one's man itt such close quarters. but tills Is not the ease. The duelists are both so anxious to get the first shot that liotli often miss, the sharp downward movement of the arm causing the bullet to be buried in the ground or only wound the lower extremities. Sometimes four or five shots are exchanged without either party being injured. Among the hot-blooded Italians and Spaniards dueling is a common everyday method of settling disputes. The sword is the usual weapon, though the stiletto is also frequently used. Sometimes, in order to insure the death of at least one of the combatants, they arc tied foot to foot and fight it out with daggers.