ENGLISHMAN’S OFFER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18757, 13 July 1935, Page 5

ENGLISHMAN’S OFFER

DUEL WITH ITALIAN ‘‘FIRE-EATING FELLOW” LONDON. July 12. It is reported from Rome that Gaptain Fanelli lias received from Mr. lulward Dickinson, of London, a challenge to a duel with Mr. Dickinson, who wishes to take the place of Major C. RAttlee. . ... A . In a letter to Captain Fanelli, Mr. Dickinson says : “As a duel is evidently your idea of satisfaction, I trust you will allow an Englishman, jealous of his country’s history and traditions, to take up your challenge. I trust you will speedily reply, enabling suitable arrangements to be made.” Captain Fanelli is at present out ot Rome. Ills friends say lie is unlikely to accept, as his quarrel is with Major Attlee. Mr Dickinson is a well-built six-footer living at Highbury. Interviewed, he said: ‘lf this unseating fellow wants to cat fire, I win give it to him to cat. He can have his choice of weapons.” Mr. Dickinson lived in Australia ioi' 17 years. Captain Fanelli recently challenged Major Attlee, British Libor M.lb, to a duel in any neutral country with any weapons. He objected to Major Attlee’s remarks in the House of Commons on the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. Major Attlee declined ‘the challenge, declaring that “duelling is a barbarous and obsolete method of liquidating quarrels, and puts a premium on a bully.” He explained that he • only criticised the Italian Government and -did not relor to her people. Ilis remarks did not. exceed the freedom of speech recognised in Britain.