SHOTS AT EDITOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185, 6 August 1932, Page 9

SHOTS AT EDITOR.

Sir Alfred Watson Narrowly Escapes Death. BENGALI YOUTH'S ACT. (Received 10 a.m.) CALCUTTA, August 5. A terrorist attempted to assassinate Sir Alfred Watson, editor o£ the Calcutta "Statesman," this afternoon as lie was entering his office from the street. A Bengali youth fired a revolver through a side window, tlio bullet missing Sir Alfred Watson's head by a few inchcs. His assailant, who was overpowered by an office watchman, swallowed poison and died on the way to hospital. Sir Alfred Watson, wlio was knighted in the last Birthday Honours, has been editor of the Calcutta "Statesman" since 1024. This British-owned newspaper lias been regarded for years as the spokesman for both white and dark races in India. Born 58 years ago at Newcastle-on-Tync, Alfred Henry Wafcson was leader-writer and special correspondent for the "Newcastle Leader" at the age of 20, after a journalistic career of o>nly four years. He joined the staff of the "Westminster Gazette" in 1902. Next year he was news "editor, and in 1909 he became general manager. He was managing editor in 1921, and a year later became editor of the "Westminster Weekly." In 1924 he was made editor of the Calcutta "Statesman."