The question of duelling in the German Army led to
a significant debate in the Reichstag on Tuesday. It appears that at Cologne this month candidates for the post of officers in the Reserve were subjected to an inquisition as to their views on duelling, with the result that three young men belonging to a students' association in which duelling was forbidden were all rejected, though otherwise of blame. less character and excellent family. Herr Trim born, one
of the Clerical Members for Cologne, who introduced the ioterpel]ation, pointed out that the Prussian Minister for War, General von Gossler, had expressly declared three years ago that these inaniries at the election of officers for the Reserve were absolutely inadmissible and irreconcilable with the Emperor's definite orders on the subject. General von Gossler in his reply admitted that the proceedings were most irregular, but held, strangely enough, that the officers who bad neglected the orders had put themselves right by admitting the protest of the candidates, and withdrawing their replies to the illegal questions from the papers to be taken into account in the final decision. The impropriety of allowing the same officers who had instituted these inquiries to remain the judges of the candidates' fitness did not seem to strike General von Gassier, whose explanation fell so far short of reassuring the House that he was reduced to announce his intention of reporting the incident to the Kaiser.
