ASSASSINATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16193, 20 March 1913, Page 7

ASSASSINATION.

THE KING OF GREECE. MURDERED AT SALONICA. United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Extraordinary Press Association.) LONDON, March 18. The King of Greece, Queen Alexandra’s brother, has been assassinated. THE MURDER. THE ASSASSIN A DEGENERATE. HIS ARREST. ARMY OFFICERS SWEAR FEALTY. LONDON, March 19. The King was walking, when he was attacked by Sokinas, a Greek degenerate. The pistol was loaded with seven shots. Tho murderer was arrested. The army officers have sworn fealty to the new King Constantine. THE STORY OF THE CRIME. ROYALTY SHOCKED. QUEEN ALEXANDRA PROSTRATED. LONDON’S CONDOLENCE. COLONIAL INSTITUTE’S SYMPATHY. LONDON, March 18. It is officially stated that King George, while at Windsor, received information that the King of Greece was shot at close quarters in the afternoon by an assassin two yards away. King Georgo was greatly shod ted, and Queen Alexandra was prostrated on hearing of her brother having been fatally 7 shot. Tho Lord Mayor - and the Mayor of Windsor condoled with their Majesties. Lord Selborne, speaking at the Colonial Instituto, said that it was unnecessary to express what was paramount in their minds. The deepest sympathy would bo extended to Queen Alexandra in her loss. THE ASSASSIN DEMENTED. KING DIED IN HALF AN HOUR. A message from Athens says that tho Administrator at Salonica reports that two individuals, one of whom was’ named Alexander Sokinas, a demented man, attacked the King in the street from behind. The King died in half an hour.

ALLEGIANCE TO THE NEW KING. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. (Received March 19, 11 p.m.) SALONICA, March 19. The King at half-past five left Prince Nicholas’s residence, accompanied by an aide, Colonel Frankoudis. He had just terminated his usual walk when a bullet struck him in tho heart and he fell into the arms of the aide. Two soldiers, attracted to the scene by the firing, conveyed him in a carriage to the military hospital. He died ■in the carriage. Prince Nicholas summoned the officers to the hospital, and announced tho death in a voice choked with sobs. He invited them to swear fealty to Prince Constantino. All took tho oath amid cries of “ Long live Constantine.” There are signs of mourning on 5 all .sides. Sooliinas, who is aged forty, declared himself a Socialist. His impassive and evasive demeanour suggests that he is irresponsible. FEELING 'OF LONDON MOSLEMS. (Received March 19, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. The King is coming to London to-day to condole with Queen Alexandra. A meeting of Moslems in London received the news with cries of “ Shamed” Tho assassin’s nationality and other details then were not known. FURTHER DETAItS. ASSASSIN DESPERATE FROM SICKNESS AND WANT. (Received March 19, 11.45 p.m.) SALONICA, March 19. Queen Olga had boen inspecting the hospitals at Preveza, and, is now at Athens. She is coming to Salonica, where King Constantino will join her. There have been rumours lately that King Georgo intended abdicating in Constantine’6 favour after the oolebration of the jubilee fixed for September.

Tho King was chatting with Colonel Frankoudis that tho capture of Salonika and JaSiina was a fitting climax to a fifty years’ roign. Tomorrow he would visit the Gorman Dreadnought Goeben, which had come to honour the Greek King at Salonica; “ That fills me with happiness and contentment,” ho added. These were his last words, for ho was immediately shot in tho heart.

Colonel Frankoudis sprang round and seized the assassin’s hand, which was poised for a second shot. Covering the King with his body, Colonel Frankoudis grabbed the assailant until passing soldiers ran up. The assassin states that he was driven to desperation by sickness and want, and that the King refused to givo him money. THE PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE. [FROM Oca CORRESPONDENT.] TIMARU, March 19. Mr Massey sent tho following telegram to the Governor to-day:—The Prime Minister presents his compliments and respectfully requests his Excellency to telegraph to tho Secretary of State for tho Colonies, expressing on behalf of tho Government and people of New Zealand their horror at tho assassination of his Majesty . King George of Greeco and also their deep sympathy with the bereaved royal family and the Greek nation. Tho Prime Minister further suggests that a message should be sent expressing tho sincero sympathy of the Government and peoplo of New Zealand with her Majesty Queen Alexandra in tho untoward death of her brother, King George of Greece. THE NEW KING. Tha new King of Greece, Constantine, was born on August 2, IS6S. He married Princess Sophia of Prussia, sister of the Emperor William 11., in 1889. The new King is the most intellectual and least physically attractive of all tho sons of the late King George. The new King and Queen, as Crown Pritico and Princess, lived very quietly, and aro devoted to tlieir children. They have three sons and

two daughters. During the progress of the present war against Turkey tho now King led the Greek forces with a great measure of success, his latest achievement, about ten days ago, being the capture of Janina, when 35,000 Turkish soldiers surrendered. The European sovereigns congratulated the Crown Prince on his victory, the Kaiser being particularly cordial in his felicitations.