FORCED TO FIGHT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XVI, Issue 150, 24 April 1914, Page 4

FORCED TO FIGHT.

Two brothers-in-law, Lieut. Stevan Hajdu and Siegmund Babocsay, fought a duel with, pistols at Budapest, and Lieut. Hajdu fell dead after the first shot. The duel was the outcome of a slight personal offence by Balx>bcsay against Ilaljdu. Bai bobcsay apologised and Hafjdu had forgiven, yet the duel was foroe.d upon them by the usage of the army. Duelling in Austria-Hungary is punished by several years' imprisonment in the case of civilians, while an jarmy officer, if offended, must fight ,a duel or be dismissed with dishonour from the army. In this case the military authority, on becoming aware of the offenqe, appointed seconds to bo.'th brother--in-law. iThe seconds decided that a ,duel must be fought, although the principals pleaded for a peaceful settlement. "When it finally came to a, forced duel B,abobosay fired without looking 0;r aiming, and hit and mortally wounded his brother-in-law.