They Drew Lots To Kill Ex-Leader

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 5

They Drew Lots To Kill Ex-Leader

‘IRON GUARD’ RAID HOSPITAL TO GET VICTIM Armed men walked into a Bucharest hospital, approached the bed of a man lying ill, and shouting, ‘‘Traitor, you die!” shot him dead. The men were members of the Iron Guard, a Fascist body, and their victim M. Stelescu, formerly one of their leaders, but now head of his own ‘‘‘Crusade” party. Twenty-eight years of age, Stelescu left the Iron Guard organisation following the assassination of the Prime Minister of Rumania, M. Toca, in 1933. Subsequently he formed the “ Crusaders,” and edited a weekly paper called the Crusade. He wa3 placed on the ‘‘death list” when he left the Iron Guard and it is known that members of the organisation drew lots to decide who was' to kill him. Unfortunately for tho plotters, Stelescu always went about armed and had an escort of his followers with him. He fell ill and was admitted to hospital, whero an operation was carried out. The fact that he was ill when he wa3 murdered so incensed his followers that it was feared they might take immediate revenge on the Iron Guard. But eight members of the guard gave themselves up to the police almost before the authorities realised what had happened.