ASSASSINATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 156, 30 June 1914, Page 7

ASSASSINATION.

AUSTRIAN HEIR, SHOT WITH HIS WIFE. TWO-ATTEMPTS AT DEED. BOMB EXPLOSION FAILS, I ! DEATH CAUSED BY BULLETS CAP IT RE OF ASSAILANTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 29, 10 p.m.) Vienna, June 29. : Tii;: Archduke Francis Ferdinand, : heir to the Austrian throne, and his I wife were assassinated at Sarajevo ; yesterday. | As Inspector-General of the ; Monarchy's Land and Sea Forces the ! Archduke had travelled aboard the i Dreadnought Viribits Unitifl from ' Trieste to Metcovic. ! The party was welcomed at Mosi tar, in Herzegovina, where in deference to local susceptibilities in responding to the Mayor's address, the Archduke spoke partly in German, but chiefly in Serbo-Croatian. The

party then proceeded to Ilidza, the array headquarters, near Sarajevo, with a view to attending the manoeuvres in the mountains to the south-west. Two attempts at assassination were made. The first was during the drive to a reception in tho Sarajevo Town Hall. A compositor threw what is called a " bottle'' bomb, filled with nails, lead, and filings.

Unexploded Bomb. The missile did not explode until the Royal car had passed. The explosion was very violent. Fragments from tho bomb pierced the iron shutters of many shops in the vicinity. Twenty people, including two members of the Archduke's suite, and several women and children were slightly injured. Gabrinovic, the perpetrator of this attempt, who belonged to Trebinji, was arrested. The Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife continued on their way to the Town Hall. Addressing the Burgomaster, tho Archduke said in a loud voice: "Wo come to visit you and bombs are thrown. It is infamous." After a brief reception, while the Archduke and his wife were proceeding towards the military hospital, to which the wounded aide-de-camps had been conveyed, Prinzip, a Servian student at the High School, dashed forward and fired two shots with an automatic revolver. The first bullet struck the Duchess on the right side of the body. The second struck tho Archduke in the throat, severing the artery.

Criminals Almost Lynched. The Duchess fainted, and fell ceross her husband's knees. The Archduke was rendered unconscious. Roth were conveyed to Konak, but had meanwhile succumbed. The

two criminals were almost lynched. An unexploded bomb was found a few yards from the scene of the assassination, indicating that a third attempt had been prepared in the event of the others proving unsuccessful. While the Archduke and his wife were motoring from the barracks to the Town Hall they stopped outside the girls' High School. They had just restarted when Gabrinovic's bomb struck the back of the car, falling behind it, and exploding under the second car containing the Archduke's suite. Colonel Merizzo, one of the occupants, was wounded in the neck. The Archduke stopped his car. On learning what had happened he proceeded. The pair received a great ovation. The enthusiasm evoked along the road because of the escape from assassination quickly spread among the assembled crowd. When tho Burgomaster began his address, the Archduke sharply interrupted, as stated above, adding, " It is an amazing indignity." Then he said, after a pause, " Now you may speak."

Joy at the Escape. Tho Archduke, responding to tho address, acknowledged the loyal demonstrations of the populace, describing them as an expression of joy at the failure of the attempt. Although agitated, the Royal pair lost no time in driving to the hospital, when Prinzip consummated his orimc. The Governor, who was in the Archduko's motor, escaped

injury. Gavrillo Prinzip is a Serb, born at Grahovo. He studied for some time in Belgrade. When interrogated, he declared that for a long time he had intended to kill some eminent personage from Nationalist motives.

The shots were fired when the car was slackening-in order to turn into Franz Josef Street. As the Duchess was in the car he hesitated for a moment, and then quickly fired two shots. He denies having any accomplices. He stood at the corner of the street with his hand in his pocket. He was able to fire at close range owing to tho narrowness of the thoroughfare.

Plunge Into River. Gabrinovic declared that he re-

ceived the bomb from anarchists in Belgrade, and that he did not know their names. He also denied that he' had any accomplices. After

throwing the bomb he jumped into the river x but was quickly arrested,

The Bosnian Diet passed a resolution of sympathy and loyalty to the throne. All the deputies wore dressed in black except four of the Servian Opposition, who were wearing their ordinary clothes. Their attitude aroused their colleagues' indignation.

Gabrinovic was formerly an anarchist. Eecently be had been employed in the Servian State printing works. He returned to Sarajevo a month ago.

The first semi-official account received in Vienna stated that the Archduke warded off the bomb with his arm.

Later reports show that Pfinzip threw a bomb which did not explode. Then he fired three times." The first shot hit the Archduke's neck, tho second his leg, and the third the Duchess's side. The victims on arriving at tho Governor's residence were past all human aid. They received the last sacrament. The Archduke expired. a few minutes after his consort.

Tho tragedy is described as the work of a few seconds.

POLITICAL MOTIVE ALLEGED.

WARNING OF DANGER.

Vienna. June 28.

Some circles attribute the assassination to Pan-Servian agitators. The Archduke was forewarned of clanger to be anticipated from Sarajevo, where numerous political arrests have been made during the past few days.

CONSTERNATION IN ROME.

GREAT SHOCK TO THE POPE.

'■ Received June 29, 10.55 p.m.l

Rome. June 29.

The assassination of the Grand Duke has caused consternation in all circles. The greatest commiseration is expressed for the Emperor Francis Joseph.

Cardinal Morrydel Vaaljiroke the news to tho Pope, who was terribly shocked. He sent a long message of condolence and benediction to the Emperor, and is offering prayers for the souls of the departed.

EFFECT UPON GERMANY,

INTEREST IX AUSTRIA.

(Deceived Juno 20, 10.55 p.m.)

Berlin, June 29.

The assassination has caused the deepest consternation and sorrow throughout Germany. Tho tragedy .8 deeply regretted by the Kaiser, who had latterly established close personal and political relations with the Archduke, and would whentho case arose have strongly championed the claim of the Duchess of Hohenberg for a place on the throne.

German interest in the Austrian problem will now be more intense than ever, and will possibly be more directly and unequivocally asserted now that all problems regarding the succession have been so tragically solved.

When the now; reached Kiel the Kaiser was racing in his yacht, the Meteor. The race was stopped and the Meteor towed back to harbour. The Kaiser stood gravely silent at the rail, replying to the salutes, and an occasional cheer. He returns to Berlin immediately.

THE AGED EMPEROR.

" I AM SPARED NOTHING."

POLITICAL ' MOTIVES

ißecrirctl Juno 29, 11.15 p.tr.. l

Vienna, June 29.

When the news was broken to the Emperor, a man of many tragic sorrows, be became deadly pale and murmured, " I am spared nothing."

The Archduke Karl Francis Joseph, the deceased Archduke's nephew, now the heir-apparent, is a promising young prince.

It is reported that in view of the Pan-Servian agitation in Bosnia, efforts were made to persuade i,.-: Archduke to his visit. The Servian Minister in Vienna officially warned tho Austro-Hun-garian Government of the existence of plots against the Archduke's life.

Several newspapers emphasise the fact that the Archduke had latterly inspired growing confidence among the Austro-Hungarians, inasmuch as bo approached the great questions of the day with an open mind, and with many of the stronger political feelings modified.

Telegrams from all parts of the empire report widespread horror and grief, coupled everywhere with spontaneous demonstrations of loyalty-

Both the desperados belong to the Serb orthodox faith. They played a leading part in the anti-Austrian agitation.

The indications are that recent events in the Balkans have rekindled in the Serb Chauvinists' resentment against the annexation of Bosnia by the Austrian Empire as a serious blow to the cause of Greater Servia. The surprise in Vienna at the tragedy is all the more pronounced inasmuch as the Archduke was regarded as favouring the formation of a monarchy among the Southern Slavs, making a third State on an equality with Austria and Hungary. His consort, moreover, belonged to a Slav family.

EFFECT ON THE BALKANS.

ASPIRATIONS OF SERVIA.

AUSTRIAN AMBITIONS.

(Received June 30, 12.10 &.m.)

London, Juno 29. TK Balkan crisis of 1912-13 brought the Archduke a severe disappointment, says the Times. Austria had assumed first that Turkey would dofeat Soma and secondly .that Bulgaria in the second Balkan war would overwhelm Servia, enabling

Austria.' in either case to intervene and secure a protectorate over the whole Serbo-Croatian race.

These ideas placed the Archduke in antagonism to Scrvia and to the partisans -of the Pan-Serb ideal. Hence the conspiracy to which he was a victim was possibly traceable to that antagonism.

The new heir to the throne is not likely to tread in .his uncle's footsteps. The tendency in AustriaHungary will possibly, be in the direction of stagnation. Constitutional developments are likely to be steadier, and the dual system will maintain for some years the ascendancy it has hithefto acquired.

EUROPEAN SYMPATHY.

THE AFFLICTED EMPEROR

London, June 28.

A painful sensation was caused in all circles in London by the news of the Austrian assassination. The deepest sympathy is felt for the aged Emperor, whom the hand of the assassin has again afflicted.

King George and the Kaiser have sent touching messages of condolence. All court functions in London and the fetes at Kiel have been cancelled. All Governments and heads of states are condoling with the Emperor Francis Joseph.

THE WORK OF ANARCHY.

ASSASSINATIONS AND ATTEMPTS. / Following is a list of the principal assassinations awl attempts during the last 25 years :- •Jules Ferry. ex-French Premier, tv Aubertin, December, 1887. Alexander 111. of Piussia, attemots in March, 1887, and May, 1888. Abdurrahman, Ameer of Afghanistan, attempt, December, 1888. William. Prince of Wurtembeiz, at-: tempt by M. Muller, October. 1889. : Pedro IT, of Brazil, attempt by Volti, j July, 1889. i Mni-ie Francois Sndi t'.irnot. President ! of the French Republic, by Cosaro Gio-| vanni Santo, June, 1894. ' i Francesco Crispi, Premier of Italy, at- ! tempt by Paolo Lego. June, 1894. I M. Stambuloff, ox-Premier of Bulgaria,' July, 1895. Nasr-ed-Din. Shah of Persia, bv Mollah; Reza, a Sayyid. May, 1396.' " I Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, by L.; Luccheni, September, 1893. George I. of Greece attempt, February,! 1898. Milan IV. of Servia, attempt in October, 1882; assassinated July, 1899. Humbert 1.. King of Italy, twice at-; tempted, in 1878 and 1897; assassinated by Brosci, July, 1900. King Edward Vll.,'attempt by Sipidio, at Brussels, April, 1900. William McKinloy, President of the United Slates, at Buffalo, by Leon Czol- i gozy, September, 1901.

Leopold, King of the Belgians, attempt by Rubino, November, 1902.

President Roosevelt, attempt by a lunatic, September, 1903. ' Sergius, Grand Duke of Russia, Moscow, February, 1905.

Alfonso XIII. of Spain, attempt in Paris, June, 1905; attempt on wedding day, in Madrid, May 31, 1906.

Petkoff, Premier of Bulgaria, March 12, 1907.

King Carlos and Crown Prince of Portugal, February I, 1908. Prince Ito of Japan, October 26, 1909. Boutros Pasha, Prim? Minister of Egypt. February 21. 1910.

M. Stolvpin. Premier of Russia, September 14, 1911.

King Victor Emmanuel of Italv. attempt March, 1912.

Senor Canalejas, Premier of Spain, killed, November. 1912.

Ex-President Roosevelt. attempt. October. 1912. Lord Hardin??. Viceroy of India. Decemher, 1912.

King George of Greece, March, 1913.

EMPEROR'S TRAGIC LIFE.

UNFORTUNATE FAMILY.

Born 11 years after Qutvn Victoria, the . Emperor Francis Joseph ascended the throne 11 years after her accession. He ■ wa,s proclaimed Emperor of Austria in j 1848. after the abdication of his uncle, j Ferdinand I. Francis Joseph's father, i tho Archduke Francis Karl, was the real ; heir, but he was unwilling to undertake i i the ruling of tho vast heterogeneous Aus- | trian Empire. He renounced his right of I Furccwion in favour of his eldest son, ! who was. then just over 18, and who thereby became Emperor of Austria 30 j years earlier than if, in the natural course ' of event?, he. had succeeded his father : instead of replacing him. While the Emperor Francis Joseph's public life lias ! been ono of arduous toil and difficulty, his domestic life has been throughout a | painful tragedy. His brother, the Arch- ! duke Ferdinand, became Emperor of Mexico under tho title of Maximilian J. in 1864, and was taken prisoner by his own people, and executed on a charge of treason in 1867. Maximilian's widow, tho Empress Charlotte, a sister of tho lata King Leopold of the Belgians, lost her reason after the tragedy. The Emperor Francis Joseph's only son, the Archduke Rudolph, committed suicide in 1889 after shooting a young lady with whom he was | in love. Tho greatest tragedy of the Emperor's hTe occurred in 1898 when his wife, tho beautiful and gifted Empress Elizabeth, was murdered by an anarchist. During his long reign of 66 years the Em- ; peror has ever held a stern view of his i duties as a monarch. Whilst acting I within the limits of the Constitution, he I has on numerous occasiona taken matters I into his own iron grasp and thereby i steered his country through serious dangers and difficulties. Ho speaks about 12 languages—most of them belonging to his empire—as well as English and French.

THE LATE ARCHDUKE.

ROMANTIC MARRIAGE RECALLED.

The Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heirpresumptive to the throne of AustriaHungary, was the eldest son of the Emperor's younger brother, th<i late Archduke Karl Ludwig. His consort, the Duchess Hohenberg, was, before her mar riagc, the Countess Sophie Chotek of Chotowa and Wognin, a member of one of the most ancient families of the feudal aristocracy of Bohemia. The Archduke was 50 years of age on December 18, 1913. The late nobleman was of an intense and impulsive nature. Though his education was mainly Austrian, and was, up to the time of his choice as heir to the throne, scarcely sufficient to fit him for that position, he later strove successfully to broaden and' deepen his knowledge. Save in military matters, his education— in the larger sense of the —may bo said to have begun at the age of 26. By dint of application he subsequently mastered the Bohemian and Magyar languages, and acquired extensive knowledge of law history j adjsiaistratoooj and consti*

tutional - Government. 111-health compelled him in the early '90's to take a voyage round the world, when ho visited Egypt, India, Australia, China, Japan, Canada, and the United States. During thus voyage he 'earnestly studied the question of naval power, and in consequence may be regarded as the creator of the Austro-Hungarian Dreadnoughts.

After returning from his voyage, the Archduke visited England, and then made, a round of the European Courts. He did not really come into prominence, however, until his romantic marriage with the Countess Chotek in 1900. In that year the Archduke, while visiting the Archduchess Isabella, mot his future wife, she then holding the position of lady-in-waiting in the household. Despite the violent opposition of the aged Emperor, and of all those surrounding the Court, he married the countess, having first to d&lare the alliance a morganatic one. For a time it seemed as if this marriage had added another to the many delicate and complex Austro-Hungarian problems, but time and natural developments deprived the problem of its supposed acutencss. It is interesting to note that when the problem appeared momentarily likely to lead to complications. King Edward Vn. and the German Emperor interceded on behalf of the couple.

Any doubts as to the ultimate recognition of the Duchess as his consort was set at rest when the couple visited England in November last year, and tho Duchess was received everywhere with the precedence due to her as wife of the heir to the throne.