ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT CARNOT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1040, 29 June 1894, Page 6

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT CARNOT.

While at Lyons on Sunday evening M. Sadi Carnot, President of the French Republic, was stabbed in the heart by an assassin. The wound was in the region of the liver, and the President lingered three hours and a quarter, and died at a quarter to 1 a.m. M. Carnot was stabbed on leaving the Palais de Commerce. The assassin darted out from among a small knot of onlookers and threw himself on the President. He was promptly arrested. M. Carnot was going to the theatre, where he intended to spend the evening. The assassin is named Giovanni Santo, and is an Italian. The populace of Lyons are wrecking the Italian Cafes in revenge, and it is probable blood will be spilt. The President had previously visited the exhibition and held a reception ; thence had a triumphal progress to the theatre. High festivities were . to be held, and the streets were resounding with < Vive Carnot !' Suddenly Santo jumped on to the step of the carriage

under the pretence of presenting a petition, and drew a dagger, which was concealed for a moment by a paper packet. On receiving the fatal blow, M. Carnot sank backwards, and uttering a groan heca/ne livid. The Perfect of Lyons, who was in thecarriage, knocked the assassin down. The President wag removed to the perfecture in an unconscious state, but recovered when the doctors probed the wound, and exclaimed, ' How you are hurfcing me.' The Archbishop of Lyons admiuistered extreme unction, and while receiving the last rites of the church M Carnot murmured twice, cI am dying.' Then he said, ' I am very glad my friends are here,' and so expired. Santo had lived in France six months, but only arived in Lyons on Sunday. He has given no explanation yet of his motive. His age is only 22. The mob nearly lynched him before the police could get him away, Upon the news roach ing the theatre women shrieked and fainted. The men howled for vengeance and death for the assassin, and rushed madly into the streets. All illuminations were immediately quenched. The news was not generally known for some time in Paris, where Madame Carnot and family were. The fury of the people of Lyons is terrible.. M. Dupey, the Premier, upon receiving intelligence of the fatal deed, summoned the presidents of the Senate and Chamber prior to holding a Cabinet Council. The English newspapers deplore the President's death. They appear to believe it was an act of revenge for the recent .execution of Anarchists. Santo is supposed to be the avenger of the Anarchist Henri, who was executed last month. There is general mourning throughout France at the death of President Carnot, public and private buildings being all draped in black. Madame Carnot, with her two sons, arrived in Lyons, where enormous crowds assembled and extended a sympathetic greeting to her. Madame remained in the death chamber for some time. The mob wrecked the Italian cafe from which the assassin emerged. The Queen, the Prince of' Wales, and the English Government wired messages of condolence to Madame Carnot. All the European sovereigns conveyed their sympathy, while the Emperor of Germany personally wired to Madame Carnot. Santo confesses that he is an Italian Anarchist from Milan, where he had already been trifid and acquitted. The inhabitants of Lyons are firing the Italian quarter of the city, shouting ' We avenge Carnot.' An eye witness of the. assassination says that M. Carnot had just ordered his escort to fall to the rear and allow those good people to shake hands. At the same instant Santo advanced. The President smilingly stretched out his hand, which Santo gripped with his left and drove a Catalan dagger into the body up to the hilt. The American Congress, after agreeing to a message of condolence, adjourned. The Premier of Italy announcpd the news in the House with tears. It was decided to drape the Chamber for the remainder of the session, a tribute of respect which has hitherto only been paid to members of the reigning famil}\ It is now stated that the death agony was protracted, and that M. Carnot expired after a terrible struggle to breathe, which caused the wound to reopen. His last words wero c I am grateful, very grateful,' referring to the. efforts of friends to save his life. The streets of Lyons were strewn with good.? taken from the pillaged I'esidences of the Italians. The troops had to b? called out to repress the outrages of the mob. The police were compelled to release those arrested to appeases the mob. Incendiary fires were quenched. The Italian consulate at Grenoble was sacked. The tnob failing to effect art entrance by the doors stormed the windows with the aid of ladders. It appears M. Carnot had daily received threatening letters since the execution, of Vaillant, The Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Bourse are closed as marks of sympathy with the family of the late French President. The Premier of Victoria has cabled to Madame Carnot a message of condolence. The doctors tried an operation in the hope of saving M. Carnot's life, but failed. Santo declines to give any explanation of his motives until the time for his trial arrives. President Cleveland and the Pope have sent messages of condolence. The Emperor of Germany in his message says' that with all his heart he shares the nations grief. Th'j following message of condolence has been sent by the Governor, at the rpquest of Ministers, to the French Govern men t, through Lord Ripon : — ' The Government of New Zealand express their grief and amazement at theshocking crime which has deprived the French people of the beloved and! esteemed head of their republic' The municipal corporations of NewZealand are sending to Madame Carnot, through Mr Travers, acting French Consul, an expression of sympathy at? the murder of her husband,