TROTSKY STABBED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 10

TROTSKY STABBED

Head Injury May Prove Fatal ASSAULT IN VILLA

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received August 21, 8.30 p.m.) MEXICO CITY, August 20.

Stabbed in tlie head with an instrument like an icepick by a man who visited his villa, M. Leon Trotsky was so seriously injured that the hospital physicians said he might not live through the night. His assailant has been tentatively identified as Frank Jackson, believed to be a Russian, despite his name. He speaks French fluently, and is reported to be an ardent Trotskyite who had been admitted to the extended hospitality of tlie villa for almost a year. A guard said the attack occurred about 4.20 p.m. by one man who had been allowed inside the villa shortly before. It is believed tlie man went directly to M. Trotsky's study and stabbed him witli a sharp instrument like an icepick. M. Trotsky immediately screamed, whereupon two guards rushed in and captured the assailant. M. Trotsky’s skull is reported to have been fractured. When tlie guards rushed in M. Trotsky was bleeding so freely that lie was hardly able-to talk and could not describe what had happened. The guards said they found the assailant holding an unlived pistol, which they wrested from him. He admitted that he intended to shoot his way out if necessary, but apparently lost courage after hitting Trotsky. SECURITY OF WORLD No Desire To Destroy Germany SPEECH BY LORD HALIFAX (British Official Wireless.) (Deceived August 21, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. _ The Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, in a .statement today in the House of Lords on the progress of the war, said the Government recognized the importance of making tlie British position in the Mediterranean as strong as possible and of keeping open Hie. trade routes. With tills must come tlie fullest possible employment of tlie Air Force against Germany and Italy. Lord Halifax paid a tribute to tlie Czechs. Poles. Norwegians, Dutch, Belgians and French who were cooperating witli tlie British. He also spoke of the steady flow of men and material coming across the seas from the Dominions, “and last, but by no means least, the steady assistance from tlie United States, which is warmly appreciated.” . Speaking of Germany, Lord Halifax said there was no one in Britain who wished to destroy her or deprive her of her legitimate place in Europe. Equally, there was no one who was not determined that Germany should not destroy Britain or the i reedoni of Europe. Germany nlust be ready to admit the right of other nations to live in peace and be free to live in peace. It was not human nature to suppose that the Germans were ready at present for anything except peace on their own terms. “1 cannot doubt that, whatever the cost, it is the duty as it is also the desire of this country to continue the war till tlie rulers of Germany are ready for such a settlement ns can alone bring peace to Europe, and we have no doubt of our ability to convince them' of it,” he said.