CAN OF DUELLING

Evening Star, Issue 20315, 25 October 1929, Page 12

CAN OF DUELLING

The “ aifairo dTunimmr ” is without honour in Italy. The Mussolini frown lias deepened at (lie sight of army officer,-; endangering their lives and military useful by duelling, their favourite sport. The Premier has found compulsory ai'b.(ration . useful in settling labour disputes: lie therefore proscribes it lor the settlement, of chivalrous ditferenees between military men. flic errant knights are fortunate; being Mussolini, he might, have prescribed castor oil. .Suppose honour has been smirched, the glove cast down, the seconds named. The seconds are instructed, first, to do tie, ir utmost to settle the affair amicably mi the spot. Failing this, they must draw up a complete report, giving botii sides of the question, and submit it to a jury of honour appointed by the commanding officer of tiie region. After due thought, the jurors may do one ot three tilings. They may declare tliai- there is no ground for lighting. They may iix upon a method of conciliation by exchange of words or of Jotters, to be brought off without detriment to the honour of cither contender. Or, if tile situation is grave, the jury may decide not to intervene, in which ease the duellists may tight if they please.

This is very dignified, and will bo efficacious, mi doubt. But is it Fascism 'i ask-til the New York ‘Outlook.’ Wo had always thought that if Mussolini wanted to bring duelling to an instantaneoms end he. would simply bark oui; “ ,N T o duelling.”