ASTOUNDING DUEL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 178, 20 August 1909, Page 4

ASTOUNDING DUEL.

GROUND GUARDED BY TROOPS. FOUGHT AT TEN PACES. A thrill has been sent through Germany by the publication of details of the recent duel between Lieut. Schwrizer and Lieut. Granier, in which Lieut. Schweizer lost his life. Lieut, pranier was the challenger, and the encounter took place wider mo:tal conditions. Although duelling is illegal, this combat between the two officers wearing his Majesty's uniform took place, so to speak, with the assistance of the State. Two doctors were present, and the scene of the duel was guarded by two detachments of troops. At the adjoining railway station a locomotive and am'oulanee car, both belonging, of course, to the (Prussian State railways, stood in teadiness to convey either ol the combatants who should fall to the nearest hospital at Hulberstadt.

One of, the strange features of this duel was that the combatants did not, according to the usual conditions, fire simultaneously, or as nearly simultaneously as possible, but one after the other. The challenger, Lieut. Granier, had the first shot, so that Lieut. Schweizer was obliged to stand inactive while his opponent took aim at him for neany thirty seconds and fired. FIRST TWO SHOTS.

Those who witnessed the duel declare that Lieut. Granier took careful aim at Schweizer's head, but notwithstanding that the distance between them was only ten paces, he missed his opponent, but the bullet almost grazed iLieut. Schweizer's ear. It wae then Lieut. Schweizer's turn to shoot, and Lieut. Granier was 1 obliged to stand equally passive while his opponent aimed at him tor thirty seconds and then fired. Lieut. Schweizer's pistol, however, failed to discharge itself, but the secoade nevertheless decided that this must he counted as an accomplished shot. Again it 'became Lieut. Schweizer's turn to stand still and inactive while Lieut. Granier took equally careful aim, obviously putting his pistol somewhat lower, and the bullet passed through Lieut. Schweizer's, right lung, and remained lodged in the body.

The wounded lieutenant fell to the ground, and received first aid from the two doctors present. He was then conveyed to Halberstadt hospital, where he died during the ensuing night. He was a young married man, and the father of a two-year-old child. He left a widow, who is now expecting the 'oirth of a second child. Hie funeral at Halberstadt gave rise to silent demonstrations of profound sympathy, as the young officer enjoyed great popularity and respect. The distress (if his young widow was indescribable.

The cause of the duel took place in January after a ball at which Lieut. Schweizer and a young lady to whom Lieut. Granier was engaged, were both present. On that occasion there bad been a banquet and ball at which Lieut. Schweizer, who was overjoyed by his promotion to the rank of senior lieutenant, had imbibed more wine than was good for him. CAUSE OF (THE DUEL. ' Lieut. Granier was not present, and Lieut. Schweizer was entrusted with the duty of escorting home his fiancee. On the way he tried to kiss the you:ig lady, who, however, pardoned him for his impertinence before they parted. ■When she met her fiancee, Lieut. Granier, at Whitsuntide, more than four months after the incident, she told him what had occurred, and Lieut. Granier immediately challenged Lieut. Schweizer to a duel. Before the duel could take place it was necessary that the circumstances should be investigated by a military court of honor, which summoned Lieut. Schweizer to hear his version of the affair. Lieut. Schweizer was then asked whether the conduct of the ladv had encouraged him to try to kiss her, whereupon be replied in the negative. The military court of honor then consented to a duel under conditions which were practically certain to end in the death of one o"f the two officers. The Tageblatt, commenting on this extraordinary duel, says:—

"We must not forget that the opponents had not to shoot simultaneously, but one after another, and the challenger had the first shot. Ten paces distance, with half a minute to take aim! One need only to test it with a watch iu hand to understand what that means.

' "Lieut. Granier had by some incomprehensible means failed in his aim at the;.first shot,.and his opponent, owing to a defect in his pistol, could not shoot! The challenger's turn came, and for half a minute he was allowed to take aim and shoot down a defenceless opponent. And he shot, him down —he killed him. '"What does tlie criminal code call that? What is it called when one peasant lad kills another from jealousy»" The TagAlatt goes o n to say that although Lieut. Schweizer's attempt to kiss his comrade's fiancee was inexcusable and reprehensible, nevertheless it Was not an offence for which life need have been taken. The journal adds that on the day after Lieut. Schweizer's death from the effects of his bullet Lieut. Granier adopted a n attitude of pride.:.