ASSASSINATION OF EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25080, 11 January 1947, Page 7

ASSASSINATION OF EDITOR

REPERCUSSIONS IN PERU

NEW YORK, January 9. The leader of the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (Senor Luis Alberto Sanchez) strongly denied that his party instigated the assassination of Senor Francisco Granan Garland, president and editor of “La Prensa,” the leading morning daily newspaper in Lima.

The Chamber of Deputies has ordered an inquiry to be made, and the Peruvian Cabinet resigned in a body after a four hours’ meeting at which it is reported to have discussed the assassination.

Dr. Ricardo Alcalde Mongrut, assistant director of “La Prensa,” said that the killing was ordered by the alliance, because of Senor Garland’s editorial campaign opposing a plan to give the Canadian International Petroleum Company monopolistic concessions for the development of Peru’s oil reserves.

All banks, stores, and business establishments closed as a demonstration of mourning and a protest as thousands attended Senor Garland’s funeral.

The newspapers “La Prensa” and “El Commercio” stated that the assassination was a political crime, but the pro-Govemment organ, "La Tribuna,” countered that “the reactionmongers were exploiting the crime to their own ends, without positive proof that it was a political assassination.” “La Prensa” is a conservative newspaper which vigorously attacked the semi-Socialistic policies of the Government.