SENSATION AT GENEVA

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 15

SENSATION AT GENEVA

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER SHOOTS HIMSELF COMMOTION IN LEAGUE ASEMBLY Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright GENEVA, July 3. (Received July 4, at 1.30 a.m.) While the Spanish Foreign Minister (Senor Barcia) was addressing the Assembly the delegates were horrified to see a man in the diplomatic gallery pull a revolver from his pocket and shoot himself, shouting, “ Now, all is over.” He was subsequently identified as Stefan Lux, employed as a Press photographer on the Prager Press. Though still alive, nothing is known of the motive for his act. The proceedings were immediately suspended, and the delegates crowded aroflhd Lux as he was carried from the hall. This is the first time a shot has been fired in the Assembly. The sitting was later resumed in a tense atmosphere. M. Van Zeeland announced: “ The drama we have just witnessed has no direct or indirect connection with the debate,” but those near Lux state that he muttered as he pulled out the revolver; “ I do this as a, gesture as death of the League.” Lux was taken to a Geneva hospital, where the chief surgeon decided that an operation might save his life. Five letters were found in Lux’s pocket addressed to King Edward, Mr Eden, M. Avenol, ‘The Times,’ and the ‘ Manchester Guardian.’ These were handed to M. van Zeeland, who scrutinised them, but did not disclose tbeir contents. The first person to reach Lux as he fell forward and sat on the floor was Mr Phillipe Foy, the Canadian Minister. The commotion was unparalleled in the history of the League, and eclipsed the pandemonium when the Italians booed the Emperor. The delegates were first stunned to silence; then they rushed from their seats, leaving a • confusion of papers on the floor and desks.

LETTERS CARNOT BE OPENED GENEVA, July, 3. (Received July 4, at 11.5 a.m.) Lux’s letters cannot b© opened' according to Swiss law unless b© dies. DEATH ANNOUNCED * WELL-KNOWN GERMAN JEWISH WHITER. " GENEVA, July 8. (Received July 4, at 1.5 p.m.) Lux died at 8.30 fo-nigbt. An, X-ray revealed two bullets in the chest. One had been there since the time of the war, when he fought for Australia. He was d well-known German Jewish writer. It* is believed that his object was to focus world attention on the plight of his “ Jewish brothers ” in Germany. During a moment of consciousness he declared he regretted nothing except leaving his wife and son.