Gombos v. Church

"It is not merely the right, but the absolute duty of an officer, if insulted by a civilian in the presence of witnesses to draw his service weapon [sword] and immediately silence the offender."

Of all clauses in the old Imperial Austro-Hungarian Military Code the above was naturally the most detested--by civilians. Last week Hungary's fiery new War Minister, Julius Goembos, appeared before Parliament and announced his intention of reviving it verbatim.

"May I ask," inquired Deputy Mesko, fervent Roman Catholic, "what will be the fate of a Catholic officer who obeys the dictates of the Church and declines to receive a challenge?"

"Court martial!" roared fiery Goembos, "with the probability of degradation."

As Vienna's Arthur Schnitzler has pointed out in a story (Leutnant Gustl), officers themselves may become the victims of the Code. He tells of a young lieutenant, insulted by a burly civilian, who attempts to draw, only to have the fellow seize his wrist and threaten to break his sword. If it breaks, the Lieutenant knows that, according to military honor, he must commit suicide. Luckily for the Lieutenant, Author Schnitzler demolishes the civilian in the nick of time by a stroke of apoplexy.

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