ITALIAN SENSATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 November 1925, Page 7

ITALIAN SENSATION.

PLOT AGAINST MUSSOLINI FRUSTRATED JUST IN TIME BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION- OOPYEIGHT. 1 ROME, Nov. 5. A sensation has been caused throughout Italy by the discovery of the plot against the life of the Prime Minister (Signor Mussolini). The ex-Socialist deputy Zaniboni, who was a major during the war and was decorated with medals for his services, and who was arrested in connection with the plot, had engaged a room in a hotel overlooking the balcony from which Signor Mussolini was scheduled to address war veterans. The police followed him to the hotel, where they found him standing in an attitude ready to fire from a rifle aimed through a window at the balcony a hundred yards away. Zaniboni was arrested two hours before the Premier was due to appear. He was dressed in the uniform of a major. The police found an Austrian rifle noted for its precision, also a-range finder and bombs.

Special editions of the newspapers denounce the culprits. Signor Mussolini sent a message to the prefects instructing them to take vigorous measures to prevent reprisals. The Fascist executive ordered Fascists to abstain from violence towards adversaries.

Signor Mussolini received many messages congratulating him on his escape, the first being from the King. Demonstrations of joy at Signor Mussolini’s escape have been arranged throughout Italy.

ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS.

• A MINIATURE ARSENAL. LONDON, Nov. 5. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Express says it is officially stated that Zaniboni made most careful preparations to assassinate Signor Mussolini. Everything was in readiness, including a motor-car for Zaniboni’s escape, but the police received information at the eleventh hour. They forced Zaniboni ’a room at the Hotel Dragoni and found bombs.

It is stated that the room resembled v. miniature arsenal. It had been rented the day before Zaniboni’s arrival by a pale little man, who asked for a front room with a balcony. He hired a front room for himself in another hotel byIt is believed the plan was to throw a bomb or explode an infernal machine as Signor Mussolini was due to leave the Foreign Office. The police also arrested the pale little man and one of the editors of the newspaper Popolo. Zaniboni, since the murder of the deputy, Signor Matteotti, had been actively engaged in antiFaseism.