COUNT TISZA SHOT AT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 9

COUNT TISZA SHOT AT

DEPUTY THEN TRIES TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE VIENNA, June 12. The desperate passions recently excited in the Hungarian Parliament led to a desperate deed to-day. Sixty members or the Opposition had just been expelled by the police, and Count Tisza, the President, was addressing the House, juestrfyini. ais course, when an Opposition Deputy, M. Kovacs, who was recently suspended lor thirty sittings, suddenly reappeared .n the Chamber, having forced his way through the Press Gallery. Shouting “All uie uppos.tiou members have not been expelled; there is ono honest mau still here,” he hurried towards the Presidential Tribune and at a distance of eight yards ured three shots in rapid succession at ■Count Tisza. The Pres.dent was not injured, the bullets only hitting his desk. Ais escape was a very narrow one, as two bullets lodged in the desk several inches trom tuo -President’s breast.

Count Tisza at once rose. He was pale; out a:d not lose ms presence ot mind, .voting the indescribable excitement, he rang Ills bell to restore order, proclaiming mat the sitting would continue. Meanwhile, twenty, members oi the majority rusned at IU. Kovacs, but he fired two snots at himself, one entering his temple and intl.ctiug a dangerous wound. ■ WOUNDED DEPUTY ATTACKED. .

Tho Deputies, several of whom drew their revoivtrs, not noticing in their fury .hat M. Kovacs was insensible, belabored mm with their fists, uut.l someone shouted “Cease! Kovacs is dead.”

Count Tisza’s wit©, wuo was in the gallery, fainted, and the Speaker, on being .niormed that ,M. Kovacs’ injury was iatal, suspended the sitting for live minutes. The doctors then entered and carried out the wounded man, who left behind a pool oftblood. • Count Tisza hurried to. the gallery to reassure his sobbing wife. When the silting was resumed there was a stormy-scene between the Deputies and the journalists, the latter being accused of complicity in the attempt on the President’s life by allowing M. Kovacs to pass. Count Tisza then addressed the House, saying it was the act of- a madman, who was already-beyond human justice, and the House could proceed with the order of the day. COUNT’S CONDUCT PRAISED. Before the close of the sitting the exPremier, Baron Khuen-Hedervary, expressed the admiration of the House for Count Tisza’s patriotic attitude, sangfroid, and courage amid the enthusiastic cheers of the members. When M. Kovacs was removed on au ambulance a Deputy, whose name is not known, said; “That is a true martyr. It is only to be regretted that he could not carry out his plan to the end.” M. Kovacs nas been operated _ upon and the bullet extracted, but his recovery is doubtful, as he is suffering from hemorrhage of the brain from the kicks and blows of his colleagues. On being visited by his friends, and learning that Count Tisza-.was alive, he .said: “Thank God! I did not intend to kill him, but- only intended to retaliate for his acts of violence.’’