The letter responded "in violent terms" to a critical review of Bernstein's play La Griffe that published in another newspaper (Figaro) by Chevassu.

After Bernstein refused to retract the letter, the duel was set to take place at the Parc des Princes.

[3] Bernstein was involved in another gun duel at the Parc des Princes in 1911, this time with journalist Gustave Tery.

During the Second World War, he fled to the United States[1] and lived in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria.

Jean-Pierre Aumont relates in his work Le Soleil et les Ombres (Robert Laffont, 1976) the luxury in which he lived, as well as his general lack of interest in the war.