MUSSOLINI’S LIFE AGAIN ATTEMPTED

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3494, 2 November 1926, Page 9

MUSSOLINI’S LIFE AGAIN ATTEMPTED

Shot Fired by Eighteen-year-old Boy

ANGRY CROWD LYNCHES

ASSAILANT

[By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.]

ROME, Oct. 81,

At Bologna a youth attempted to assassinate Signor Mussolini by shooting him with a revolver while driung to the railway station. Signor Mussolini was not hurt. The crowd lynched his assailant, whose body has not been identified.

CROWD MADDENED BY ATTEMPT

DICTATOR APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED.

(Received Monday, 7.30 p.m.) BOMB, Oct, 31

Directly the shot was heard, and the crowd realised that another a tempt had been made* to murder Mussolini, a yell of horrified anger was raised, and before the detectives guarding the Dictator were able to intervene, the crowd _ threw themselves upon the boy. using fists, sticks and even boots. The youth died within five minutes. Finally the maddened mob dragged the corpse into the street, and left it lying there. Iho youth is still not identified. Mussolini meanwhile coolly went on to the station. When addressing soldiers on the platform, ho showed no trace of the experience he had just undergone, though ho had actually stopped the car and wntched the crowd closing in upon the boy and the roar of infuriated lynchers must have been ringing in his cars while driving to the station. After the lynching, fourteen knit; wounds were found in the assailant s body.

TRIUMH OF FASCISM. ENTHUSIASTIC REVIEW OF (Received Monday, 7 p.m.) ROME. Dct. 31. Mussolini’s assailant wa* lynched during the confusion following on his attack. Mussolini, preserving his customary calmness, stepped his motor-car a few minutes afterwards, and reviewed a- body of saiiors. At the station he addressed a gathering of army officers, prior to departing accompanied by his family. Ho had previously opened a huge sports stadium accommodating 50.000 people. Wearing the uniform of Commander of the Militia, Mussolini rode on horseback into the vast arena and halted in the centre amid deafening cheering lasting tor several minutes. From the saddle he harrangued the assembly, which punctuated his address with cheers, especially his references to the King as the supremo commander of the army and militia. He added: “To-day's ceremony is the crowning feature of Iho celebration of the Fascist march to Romo. It is unprecedented in character and significance because it signifies that a people under arms is enthusiastically acquiescing in the Fascist regime—a people willing to follow me everywhere. Fascism is now the civil religion of every Italian worthy ot the name.” Then rising In his stirrups he exclaimed: “Blackshirts! Raise aloft your rifles, and let the world see this forest of bayonets, and feel the beating of your hearts, which are resolute and invincible.” Later he took tho salute in the march past of regulars, militia, and Fascists.

BULLET PIERCES DICTATOR’S SLEEVE. (Received Monday, 7 p.m.) ROME, Oct. 31. Mussolini opened the Scientific Congress at Bologna. His motor had reached the entrance to the Independonza, when a youth of eighteen fired a shot. The crowd immediately seized and lynched him as Mussolini drove on. He chatted calmly with officials at the station, and departed for Forli. He had a very narrow escape, the bullet severing the ribbon of a decoration, and piercing the edge of his uniform breasthigh, and his sleeve. The Mayor of Bologna was seated alongside him at the time. QUICK JUSTICE. (Received Monday, 11.40 p.m.) ROME. Oct. 31. The would-ho assassin managed to get near the cordon of troops and police guarding the route, before they were aware of his intention to fire at Mussolini. The assassin was immediately seized by an officer and Fascists, before ho was able to fire a second shot. The first bullet was found in Mussolini’s car.

the body was taken to the police-station, nothing was found on the clothing to reveal identity. The medical examination showed traces oi strangulation, and fourteen deep knife wounds. The man must have been dead in little more than a minute from the time he fired the shot. When reviewing sailors and militia Officers a few minutes later, Mussolini did not refer to the affair. He was accorded a great ovation that evening when he arrived at Fcrll. The King of Italy immediately telegraphed, expressing horror, and the congratulations of the Royal Family on his escape.