ARMED VISITOR TO U.S. PRESIDENT.

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1912, Page 3

ARMED VISITOR TO U.S. PRESIDENT.

What is believed to have been an attempt to assassinate President Taft was frustrated one Saturday last month by the secret service men on duty at the White House. A stranger who had entered the Executive Office building, which ' comprises the west wing of the White House, was noticed walking up and down the lobby near the Press room, and, although there are usually plenty of visitors between 10 and-12 o'clock, his behavior-attrac-ted the attention of the secret service men, who are responsible for the safety of the President. He was closely watched, and just as one of the officials had left the President's office he was see'i to make a rush down the corridor. Four officers immediately pounced upon him, and after a short but strenuous fight he was overpowered. . At the police-station he gave his name as Michael Winter, and stated that he was a German subject. In a wild and incoherent statement he declared that he had applied to Count Yon Bernstorff. the German Ambassador, for a letter of introduction to Mr Taft. This, he said, the Ambassador had refused, and he had tried to interview the President personally. Count Yon Bernstorff denies that he ? ever saw or heard,of the' man, and he has been removed to an asylum for -medical examination,. When searched by the police he was found to be in possession of a formidable hunting knife.