HORROR AT NEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 7

HORROR AT NEWS

EUROPE SHOCKED.

King Slain on Mission of Peace To France.

PLAN TO VISIT LONDON.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 9. Hoj*ror spread throughout Europe at the news of the assassination at Marseilles of King Alexander of Yugoslavia, who is generally regarded as the engineer-in-chief and architect of the Little Entente, and also M. Barthou, French Foreign Minister, who fell victims to the pistol of a Croat assassin, five minutes after the King had set foot on French soil. The assassin, Clemens Petrus Kalemen, 35, who was afterwards lynched by the crowd, leapt on to the runningboard of the car in which King Alexander and M. Barthou were riding. He fired a volley of six shots at the pair, mortally wounding them and severely wounding General Georges, Yugoslav military attache, and Admiral Berthelot, Maritime Prefect at Toulon. It is impossible yet to gauge European repercussions to the tragedy. Important Diplomatic Mission. King Alexander disembarked from the Yugoslav battle-cruiser Dubrovnik, which was escorted to Marseilles by the first squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet, military and naval aeroplanes. M. Barthou and M. Pietri warmly welcomed King Alexander, after which a small procession was formed headed by cavalry to enable King Alexander to complete this portion of his journey to Paris on the important diplomatic mission prior to going to London. The procession was advancing slowly along the famous thoroughfare Canncbiere, when the assassin, who seems to have had accomplices, sprang from the cheering crowds, leaped on the runningboard of the closed Royal car and fired six shots. He twice hit King Alexander, penetrating the heart and abdomen. The King fell back fainting. Blood was streaming from his mouth and chest.

M. Barthou was also shot, but at first it was thought not seriously. The procession halted in confusion. The cavalry charged and drove back the crowd. Some accounts say that the police fired on the crowd, and as a result three policemen and several spectators were wounded. King Alexander was carried to the Prefecture and laid on a sofa, where he died after three minutes. Madame Jolianneau, the Prefect's wife, dosed his eyes mid a scene of poignant emotion and in the presence of M. Pietri and other high officials. BOY KING GUARDEDT" QUEEN'S VISIT TO ENGLAND. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, October 9. The body of King Alexander lies on a wide green couch, a flag across his feet, and flanked by two guards with sabres raised in motionless salute. Flowers are strewn on the floor. Queen Marie of Yugoslavia did not accompany her husband on the sea Voyage on account of the weather, but travelled by train to Marseilles. The prefect of Doubs boarded the train at Bescanon and eventually broke the news w the Queen. Her Majesty intended, after lier arr ival in Paris, to visit England incognito to see her son Peter. He is 6 till unaware of the tragedy. A sergeant and two constables are guarding Sandroyd school at the instance of the Yugoslav Embassy. The boy King will probably return to Yugoslavia -for his father's funeral.