A DUEL FOR BOROTRA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21511, 28 June 1935, Page 17

A DUEL FOR BOROTRA

# PRESS CRITIC'S CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

SECONDS NEGOTIATING

(Received June 27, 7.5 p.m.)

LONDON, June 27.

Diblier Poulain, tennis expert of the French newspaper "L'Auto" confirms a report that he has challenged Jean Borotra to a duel. This is the sequel to a lively exchange of letters dealing with Borotra's refusal to play in the Davis Cup singles, although he is playing in the singles at Wimbledon. Borotra, in a letter to "L'Auto," said: "Poulain, with evident lack of good faith, wrote that I could not play five sets What I said was that I could not play five sets on hard courts."

Poulain states that the challenge is made simply to defend the honour of his profession. "Borotra is a fine fellow, but we must have Ihe right to make such technical criticism as we think fit," he says. Borotra was returning to his hotel from Wimbledon when he received a registered letter from Poulain's seconds, Jean Renaud, a famous fencer, and Jacques Goddet, a director of "L'Auto." After telephoning to Paris, Borotra stated: "In accordance with the French code, I asked my friends. Rene Lacoste and General Alvin, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, to second me, and to communicate with Poulain's friends about weapons, place, and time. It is now a matter for the seconds." Borotra has written to Poulain's seconds accepting the challenge. Borotra said ■he must respect the French code of honour, because he was not prepared to change a word or a comma. He said that he expected to have the choice of weapons and might choose pistols. ASked whether he had fenced much, Borotra replied: "Only a few times in the last 10 years."

WOMEN BEG FOR PEACE

BOUT ON CENTRE COURT PROPOSED (Received June 27, 10.7 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. Two French women rushed up to a member of the Legion of Honour at Wimbledon, and implored him to prevent Borotra from duelling, exclaiming, "You must stop it. Don't let Borotra die." Wimbledon declines to take the matter seriously, and suggests that an assault at arms might provide an interesting interlude on the centre court. Borotra, on the other hand, in an interview in the "NewsChronicle," declared. "It is no joking matter. I could not face my fellow-countrymen if I refused to accept the challenge. It may be a foolish custom, but I must not run away."