MURDER IN TEHERAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 172, 22 July 1924, Page 5

MURDER IN TEHERAN.

AMERICAN DIES FIGHTING. THE MOB GOES MAD. MARTIAL LAW DECLARED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) TEHERAN, July 21. In connection with the murder of Major Imbrie, American Consul, when the crowd saw the two Americans produce a camera it accused them of poisoning the water in the fountain. ! The Americans jumped into a. carriage and drove away, the crowd following. The uproar quickly spread, and at the entrance to the Cossacks' barracks the carriage was overtaken by a man on a motor cycle and forced to stop, when the crowd quickly drew up with the carriage. also interfered against the Americans. The Consul and Mr. Seymour were dragged out. Major Imbrie long defended himself with a stick until struck on the head by a military sword. He endeavoured to rise, but was hit by a bier stone, which broke his jaw. Meanwhile Mr. Seymour was struck from all sides and dragged to the Cossack parade ground, where a detachment of police finally succeeded in getting both in a motor car and taking them to the police hospital. . The crowd broke into the building, smashed the doors and windows and committed further assaults. The Consul died, but there is still hope of saving Mr. Seymour. The assault occurred in a crowded thoroughfare, and although it appears there were numbers of armed police and soldiers present no shot was tired in defence of the victims. Soldiers are alleged to have taken the part of the mob. The autopsy confirms that the wound on the head is a sabre cut. Only military police carry sabres. The* diplomatic body is addressing a serious Xote to the Persian Government. The Mejliss passed a resolution expressing profound sorrow at the crime, and urging the Government to pursue the matter relentlessly. Many arrests have been made among the civilian population. Martial law has been proclaimed. (A. and X.Z. Cable.) Major Imbrie was killed and an American named Seymour was wounded while they were photographing a public fountain. A police officer and six policemen were also injured. The fountain was the scene recently of a reputed miracle, and huge crowds were making pilgrimages to the spot.