STUDENTS' HOAX

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4632, 6 December 1934, Page 4

STUDENTS' HOAX

BOGUS NATIVE POTENTATE AT BIRMINGHAM. POLICE PROTECTION. London, October 23. Students at Birmingham University have for three days hoaxed the city with a fictitious personage, "Prince Mohammed Din Dbingo." The "prince" was described as a ruler of a French mandated territory in the Sudan, and a noted philanthropist and archaeologist. He arrived in Birmingham on Friday dressed in full native costume, having, it was announced, flown from Paris to give his patronage to the carnival revue which is being given this week in aid of hospitals. It was further stated that he was formerly a medical student at Birmingham. Medical students promptly attempted to kidnap him when he arrived with the intention of holding him to "ransom." A battle in which some 1200 students took part, ensued for possession of the "Prince," who finally escaped after a long chase through the streets, by commandeering a passing motor car.

At the first night of the revue last night the Lord Mayor of Birminorham, Alderman H. E. Goodby, and the corporation attended in state, but their reception was completely overshadowed by that accorded to Prince Dbingo. The Lord Mayor, councillors and the whole audience rose as the French National Anthem was played, and amid a burst of cheering the "royal" party walked up on to the platform. There were loud cries of "Speech,' but the "prince" made no response. The ceremony was treated perfectly seriously by the audience, and even the nolice force showed no suspicion that they had/been deceived. A contingent of policemen had been detailed to protect Prince Dbingo, following the attempt to kidnap him. A special box had been reserved for him at the theatre. At the end of the performance he was first to leave, and the audience gave him an enthusiastic send-off. Actually the "prince" is Mr. Misbah, a Sudanese medical student at the university.