DUEL ARRANGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22609, 28 June 1935, Page 9

DUEL ARRANGED

WRITER AND TENNIS PLAYER FRENCH CODE OF HONOUR (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, June 26. Didlier Poulain, the lawn tennis expert of the newspaper L'Auto, confirms the report that he has challenged Jean Borotra following a lively exchange of letters dealing with Borotra's refusal to play in the Davis 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 sets. What I wrcte was I could not play five sets on hard courts." , Poulain states: "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." BOROTRA INTERVIEWED LONDON, June 26. Borotra, interviewed, said he had not received Poulain's challenge. " These matters in France are subject to a code of honour which the majority of Frenchmen respert. Unquestionably I must do likewise, because I am not prepared to change a word or a comma. I might choose pistols; I expect I have the choice of weapons," said Borotra. Asked whether he fenced much, he replied: "Only a few times in the last 10 years." BOROTRA'S SECONDS LONDON, June 27. (Received June 27, at 11 p.m.) 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 M. Poulain's seconds accepting the challenge. WIMBLEDON AMUSED LONDON, June 27. (Received June 27, at 11 p.m.) 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-countrymen if I refused to accept the challenge. It may be a foolish custom, but I must not run away."