Bloodless Duel

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 119, 21 May 1936, Page 5

Bloodless Duel

A PREMIER FIGHTS.' ’ Premier Julius Goemboes and Tibor Eckhardt, leader of 'The Peasants ’ Party, fought a bloodless pistol duel recently in the tanbark-coverM-iing of the Francis Joseph cavalry barracks. They parted without a reconciliation, says tue New York Times. Before going to the duel Premier Goemboes formally presented his resignation as Premier to Admiral Nicholas Horthy, the Regent, who refused to accept, it. The Premier’s seconds w’ere President Sztraniavsky of the Chamber of Deputies and Secretary of State Thaly of the Finance Ministry.

The duel was limited to a single exchange of shots at twenty-live paces. The cause .of the quarrel between, these formerly close friends was Mr. Eckhardt’s assertion at a meeting of tho Foreign Affairs Committee of tho Chamber of Deputies that wnonever Premier Goemboes touched foreign politics he damaged Hungary’s interests. When Premier Goemboes shouted “That is impudence! ” Air. Eckhardt seut his seconds to tho Premier.

J. >rts to settle the matter by a declaration by Premier Goemboes that no insult to Mr .Eckhardt was intended failed, so the Premier chose jiistols for the duel instead of the more usual sabres.

Duels between j-oingarian statesmen are not unusual. Count Tisza, who was Premier at the outbreak of the World Wary fought many duels with opposition members who he believed had insulted him. He was handicapped in lighting because he was extremely short-sighted. • m official communique ou the duel said that Mr. Eckhurdt sought “knightly satisfaction” but did notmention the illegality of the dud or the possibility of an arrest.

The two foes, accompanied by physicinr - end seconds, arrived at tin barracks separately in automobiles. The duel master examined their weapons and announced, as a fc.mality:— “I temind yo gentlemen, that duelling is against the Hungarian law, and I earnestly advise reconcii'"‘ : on.”