CROATS' LEADER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 August 1928, Page 5

CROATS' LEADER

DEATH OF STEPHAN RADITCH NO DEMONSTRATIONS GRIEF THE PREDOMINANT NOTE United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. Australian -Press Association BELGRADE, 2th August. Stephan. Raditch's condition was complicated by diabetes,'but he appeared to recover slowly. Ho was able to receive supporters and transact business. He was normal nt 8 o'clock in the evening but at 8.50 ho suffered a heart attack. Doctors were hurriedly summoned, hut their efforts were unavailing. , : News of his death spread like wildfire.

M. Raditch was born of peasant parents, He was a bookseller in Zagreb. Ho became leader of the Croatian Peasant Party and the stormy petrel of politics. He first created a sensation by refusing the oath of'allegiance to the Serbian King, and was imprisoned. When released ho later made a speech comparing the Queen of Jugo-Slavia with Maaame Pompadour for extravagance. Other outbursts occurred in Parliament and elsewhere, till matters came to a* climax in Parliament in June when Raditch was shot at and wounded by the Montenegrin Rachitch, one shot killing Paul Raditch, who attempt'ed <to shield his uncle Stephan. After a period in nospital in Belgrade Stephan insisted on returning to Zagreb. His journey through Croatia was marked by scenes - of intense "enthusiasm. His illness had been watched with anxiety, the authorities. fearing that his death would accentuate bitterness and lead to an outbreak of, .Croatian anger; It is known the Government has taken the. measures it considered- necessary, for any eventuality, but it is-hoped order; will be preserved. ' < : Latest reports state no demons-! trations have occurred. Grief is the j predominant'note. i

SEPARATION FROM SERBIA

Australian . Press . Association;—United Service.

(Received 10th August, 1.25 p.m.) "';- LONDON, 9th August. A Zagreb message' states that everybody feeTs convinced that the inevitable result of Stephan Raditch's death will be separation in-'some form from Serbia. ,' *

order reigns and the people are .mourning their lost leader./ The funeral has been fixed for Sunday. body is lying in state. Peasants from western Jugo-Slavia are flocking to Zagreb to pay their last respects. Raditch's brain weighed 1450 grammes, which is stated to be almost a record.