THE ACCUSED MAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 236, 18 July 1936, Page 5

THE ACCUSED MAN

IN THE PRISON HOSPITAL. '

McMahon’s condition . EYE-WITNESS OFFER TESTIMONY (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, July 17. Within a few hours of Scotland Yard’s appeal to eye-witnesses of the revolver incident, 121 persons, the majority women, including visitors from overseas, communicated with the authorities. All whose testimony appears valuable will be interviewed by detectives with a view to giving evidence. Under the present charge the maximum penalty is 20 pears’ penal servitude. McMahon is in hospital at Brixton Prison, the officials deciding that his condition necessitated confinement in a ward instead of in a cell. His only visitor has been Alfred Kerstein, a solicitor. THE KING AT HIS USUAL WORK. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CORONATION. f ‘ (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON, July 17. King Edward carried out his usual business to-day, receiving the Duke of Norfolk about the coronation arrangements, also the Duke of York. CONTROL OF FIREARMS. STRICTER REGULATIONS LIKELY. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Scotland Yard continues to work at top pressure investigating the revolver incident. High officials conferred with Dick. The incident is likely to result in further steps to control weapons in the possession of private individuals. The numbers are known to be large, one estimate being 100,000. A large proportion of these are big service weapons, but a most considerable number is the smaller .22 type, like that produced yesterday. This is a very common pattern, easily obtainable from gunsmiths in Britain and most other countries. In Britain a. license is necessary. Three years ago Scotland Yard appealed for the surrender of firearms, including, war souvenirs, and nearly 13,000 pistols and revolvers, with 25,000 rounds of ammunition were given up A further appeal last year brought in 5000 revolvers. FRENCH PARLIAMENT’S MESSAGE. BELOVED AND RESPECTED SOVEREIGN. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, July 17. The Chamber of Deputies, all members standing, resolved to send to the British House of Commons a message associating itself with the joy of the British people at the safety of a beloved and respected Sovereign, adding warm greetings and expressions of friendship. The Senate, in a message to the House of Lords, duplicated the deputies’ expressions. A MESSAGE FROM THE POPE. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) ROME, July 17. The Pope sent a message expressing satisfaction at King Edward’s safety. FOREIGN PRESS COMMENT. “ACT OF UNBALANCED MAN.” RONDON, July 17. “II Giornaie dTtalia,” published in Rome, declared McMahon’s act as wicked and insane. The French journal “Le Petit Journal” describes the McMahon Incident as the stupid gesture of an unbalanced man, who was perhaps impelled by a morbid desire for publicity. “Le Petit Parisien” declares that it was not an attack but the gesture of a madman. The entire press considers that the reactions show how deeply attached Britain is to the Royal Family. The “New York Times,” in a leader, says: “The people of the United States rejoice with the people of Britain around tji,e; world, that the King not v only escaped the attempted assassination, but has borne himself as becomes a King, true to the ancient definition : A King is he who has no fear. “Of courage he gave frequent evidence as Prince of Vales; of concern for the happiness of his people he gives daily proof as a King. Even the most democratic citizens will join those; who pride themselves as British subjects in saying: ‘God save the King.’ ” The New York “Herald-Tribune” adds its tribute in similar strain.