MAIL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 257, 5 November 1897, Page 2

MAIL NEWS.

AUSTRIA'S PREMIER WOUNDED IN A PISTOL DUEL. A cable despatch from Vienna under date SeDt. 26 says a pistol duel was fought on the morning of that date between Count Badeni, the Austrian Premier, and Dr. Wreff, the German Nationalist Leader, arising from insults by the latter to the Premier during the session of the Unterhaus. Count Badeni was wounded in the right hand, but the injury is declared to be not serious. The bullet entered the wrist' and went out above the elbow. Dr. Wreff fought a duel with swords on May 8 with Herr Horisa, a Czech member of the Unterhaus. This encounter grew out of violent scenes which occurred in the House between' the Germans and Czechs, in which personalities were freely indulged in. Dr. Wreff's charge of rascality was the cause of the duel with Count Badeni. Smooth-bore pistols were used, and three shots were to be fired at 25 paces. Count Badeni was wounded at the first fire. The wound does not prevent him from transacting business. Count Badeni was formerly Governor of Galicia. He is a young and able Pole, and was very little known even in Austria until unexpectedly called upon to form a Cabinet in September, 1595, when he assumed the duties of President of the Council of Ministers of the Interior. His nobility only dates back to his father. His mother's brother, Count Mier, married a famous German actress, Anna Wierer,who eventually' left her large fortune to her two nephews, Count Badeni, the present Premier of Austria, and his younger brother. ATTACK ON THE MEXICAN PRESIDENT. Ignacio Anulfo, a violent character, assaulted President Diaz during a military ■procession customary on Independence Day in the city of Mexico on September 16th. The assailant was felled with a cane by a companion of the President, and was immediately taken into custody by the authorities. Various stories are told regarding the man's design on the President's life, and one being that he was armed with a dagger, as many of the police believe, but if so he must have thrown it away, as no weapon was found on him. At the moment of dealing the blow, he used opprobrious terms to the President, and seemed crazy. President Diaz took the matter very calmly, and advised that the assaiiant be kept in custody until he could explain the motive of the attack. Another account of the attack says that an attempt to assassinate President Diaz by a supposed Italian, named Arroyo, was made while the troops were in general review. The President, while in company with the Minister of War, was sprung upon from behind by a foreigner with a poniard in his hand, who made a lunge at the President with the weapon. The assailant was seized by the Minister of War, and afterwards turned over to the authorities. It is thought the attack was the result of the recent propaganda against the Anarchists. Since writing the above news has been received of the killing of the assailant by an infuriated mob on the following evening. The prisoner was seized by the mob and stabbed to death. A TRAGIC SEQUEL. A despatch dated City of Mexico (Mexico), September 24th, says that exInspector of Police Edourdo Velasquez, who it is thought prompted the mob to take the law into their own hands and cause the murder of the President's assailant, committed suicide by blowing his brains out with a revolver while confined in gaol. How the pistol reached the prisoner is yet unknoAvn. In consequence of the Velasquez suicide, the warder of the prison has been arrested and placed in solitary confinement. AN INSANE PRINCE. Particulars regarding the incarceration of the Prince of Reuss in an asylum at Berlin for the insane, show that the Prince was secluded under the name of Count Yon Planen. His affairs have been placed under the control of a court owing to alleged scandalous financial transactions connected with a Hungarian estate bought by the Prince, upon which he gave as commission cheques for 136,000 florins, which the banks refused to cash, and the Prince is not good for the amount. In order to avoid a scandal a banking company offered to pay the amounts due, speculating that Emperor William would recoup the company.