FRENCH POLITICAL CRIME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 5 May 1914, Page 2

FRENCH POLITICAL CRIME

VENGEANCE OF A WIFE. MURDER OF M. CAL-METTE. LONDON. March 23. The campaign of bittrness. almost unexampled in the annals of journalism, which the Paris '"Figaro"' lias been waging over the signature of its editor. M. Gaston Calmette, against M. Caillaux. the -Minister of Finance, readied a terrible climax this week, when Mine. Caillaux, wife of the Minister, drove to the offices of the paper and shot M. Calmette with her own hand. It was about 6.30 p.m. M. Calmette was in his study chatting with M. Paul Bourget. of the French Academy, when a servant handed him a card. The editor took it, read it, and then with a smile handed it to his friend, remarking: "Look who it- is that wishes to see

me." M. Panl Bourget. on reading trio name, Mmi. Joseph Caillaux, turned to .M. Calmi'tti- and strongly advised him not to see the lady. "There will probable be a scene of violent recrimination and perhaps tears. If I were you, I would tell the eervant to say you are out."

Mv dear fellow," replied Calmette

"you cannot refuse to receive a woman," and he ordered the lady to be shown up. M. Paul Bourtret said good-bye, and presently Mrac. Caillaux, a fair-haired lady of middle height, was shown in. M. Calmette walked to the door and closed it. In so doing he turned his back for a moment on his visitor. Apparently not a word was spoken. Mme. Caillaux 3 who had a revolver concealed in her muff, whipped it out and fired five shots in rapid succession point-blank at the unfortunate editor. Struck bv three of the bullets, M. Calmette 'fell to the ground. Members of the staff rushed in and placed him on a sofa. He was quite conscious, and remarked : "My dear friends, what a lot of trouble and annoyance I am causing you." Tak°n as soon as possible to a nursing home, ih.9 died at midnight, when preparations were being made for an operation.