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Show DUELLING IN AIYJEFENDED German General Considers Institution Is Necessity for the Military Case. Berlin, March 13. Duelling among officers in the German army was strongly defended today by Lieutenant Lieuten-ant General Erich Von Falkenhayn. minister for war, in replying to an interpellation regarding the fatal duel at Mctz on February 2G, when Lieutenant Lieu-tenant Haage was killed. The minister min-ister for war said the Institution of duelling was a necessity for the military mili-tary caste. He made it clear that his efforts to diminish duelling In the army were directed, not against the duel, but toward the restricting of the number of cases in which an encounter was regarded as imperative. impera-tive. "I personally would consider it a misfortune." he said, "if the conception concep-tion of personal honor on which the practice of duelling is based, should bo eradicated. I admit that duelling is an offense under the laws, both of god and of man, and, is an evidence of physical rather than of moral courage. cour-age. Moreover, the ponalty Is liable to fall on the wronged man. Nevertheless, Never-theless, an officer must be the defender de-fender of his own honor and is entitled en-titled to regain his self-esteem, to vindicate his manhood and to repel the imputation ot lack of courage by facing his adversary, pistol in hand." Duelling, according to the minister, is decreasing in Gormany. "There were only twelve duols in 1913," he said, "among the 75.000 active and reserve officers in tho Germany army but this rate is still too high. The fatal duel at Motz could, have boon avoided if Lieutenant Haage had waited until the court of honor had considered the case, but the officer had felt deeply Insulted nnd refused to do so, with the result that he was killed," oo |