FRENCHMEN AT VARIANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22067, 28 June 1935, Page 9

FRENCHMEN AT VARIANCE

TENNIS FLAYER AND CRITIC A DUEL ARRANGED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 27. Borotra was returning to his hotel from Wimbledon when he received a registered letter from Poulain’s seconds, Jean Renard, the famous fencer, and Jaques Goddet, 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 communicate with M. Poulain’s friends concerning weapons, place, and time. It is now a matter for the seconds.” Borotra has written to Poulain’s seconds accepting the challenge. WIMBLEDON NOT IMPRESSED DECLINES TO TAKE MATTER SERIOUSLY. 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, was interviewed by the ‘ News-Chronicle,’ and declared: “It is no joking matter, I could not face my fellow-coun-trymen if I refused to accept the challenge. It may be a foolish custom, but I must not run away.” AMICABLE SETTLEMENT LIKELY LONDON, June 27. (Received June 28, at 9 a.m.) Harry Hopman informed the ‘ SunHerald’; “It seems unlikely that the duel will he fought because the Davis Cup Committee did not ask Borotra to play in the singles, being anxious to develop yofing men for the future. Brugnon was dropped from the doubles for the same reason. lam of opinion that pressure will be brought after explanations, permitting an amicable settlement ” [Didlier Poulain, the lawn tennis expert of the newspaper’ ‘ L’Auto, 5 confirmed the report that he challenged Jean Borotra following a lively exchange of letters dealing with Borotra’s refusal to play in the Dayis Cup singles, although he is playing at Wimbledon in the singles. Borotra, in a letter to ‘L’Auto,’ said: “Poulain, with evident lack of good faith, wrote that I could not play five What I wrote was I could not play five sets .on hard courts.” Poulain stated: “The challenge was made simply on professional grounds. Borotra is a fine fellow, but we must have the right to make such technical criticism as we think fit.”]