SETTLEMENT BY DUEL

Evening Star, Issue 20313, 23 October 1929, Page 11

SETTLEMENT BY DUEL

THE FIELD OF HONOUR OLD-TIME WAY IN CUBA. The famous old Plaza de Armas, in Havana, where Spanish dons once took wrongs, actual or imaginary, lor settlement by duel, is now but a mere park wherein the aged bask in the sun and the rising generation play beneath the gigantic “ ceiba ” trees that once filtered early _ morning light on bared blades or shining pistols, says a writer in a San Francisco newspaper. The Plaza de Armas passed into history as a duelling field some ten years ago, when the Cuban Government ruled against settlement of differences between gentlemen on the field of honour and imposed drastic punishment for violators. fho law reads that there shall be no duelling, but the proud blood of Cubans demands personal satisfaction for injuries or insults. Tho habits of generations of Spanish grandees have not yet been eclipsed by the swift, strides of modernity in Cuba. Duelling remains, but is seldom heard of publicly. Cloaked figures continue to make their stealthy way through the still morning hours to isolated and secluded spots near Havana, there to settle grievances by ball or blade. An automobile whisking through Havana streets in the early morning hours may often convey a mortally wounded man who has expiated his wrongs on the field of honour. Entrance into a hospital is under the guise of an operation; death under_ the report of septic poisoning. So it is said. There is an occasional report of a duel in Havana newspapers, but not often. It is considered more, expedient and sensible to ignore duelling than it is to trace down the protagonists and thereby open wide an official eye now slyly closed to sanguinary settlement of personal quarrels. Fencing academies flourish in Havana. Young men and old practise there for the express purpose of “ keeping fit.” One of the most effi cient fencing schools in all of Cuba is at the Havana Reporters’ Club. Cuban newspaper reporter? who are allowed the privilege of personal expression and considerable- editorial comment in news stories are often principals in encounters. Politicans may bo classified second, for they often enter into heated argument on the street and end in a palm grove with pistol or blade. Recently two Federal Senators entered into an impassioned argument that found its release on the field of honour. The demand for personal satisfaction was entered on the floor of the Senate. A mere scratch erased the incident. Satisfaction had been rendered and tho men are now on friendly terms. The law passed over the incident.