SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21348, 30 May 1931, Page 13

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

PLOT FOR ASSASSINATION SCHIRRU ON TRIAL. ROME, May 28. “ I came to Italy to attempt to kill Mussolini, and would probably have succeeded if I found somebody in Rome I could trust,” confessed Schirru, answering the judge at the opening of the trial, at which he sat in a huge cage guarded by carribineers. The indictment mentioned coded * correspondence with a Londoner named Polidori, who allegedly was urging Schirru not to miss the opportunity at the State opening of Parliament to bomb Signor Mussolini. Experts will give evidence of the composition of the two bombs found in Schirru’s luggage. Schirru wounded three Italian detectives before he was arrested. SENTENCE OF DEATH. ROME, May 28. Schirru was sentenced to death. He will be shot in the back at dawn. He admitted that he was an anarchist. He maintained that he did not receive help from any accomplices. He said he had neglected his chances to shoot Signor Mussolini at public gatherings owing to the danger of killing bystanders. A message received on February 6 stated: Michell• Schirru, who recently returned from America, where he was spending money lavishly, was arrested in the doorway of the Foreign Office. He had in his possession bombs, and he confessed that he intended to attempt the life of either Signor Mussolini or the King. Schirru desperately resisted the police, and drew a revolver and shot five of them, three being seriously wounded. He then turned the weapon on himself and inflicted a serious head wound. When his home was searched a miniature arsenal of bombs and arras was discovered. A later message stated: The Rome correspondent of the Daily Express asserts that London is the centre ol a carefully organised plot to assassinate Signor Mussolini associated with the arrest of Schirru. Cross-examined in hospital Schirrp confessed that three ringleaders living in London supplied him with plans and money in order to kill Signor Mussolini. Members of the Italian secret service who were sent to London to substantiate Schirru’s declarations that a band of Italians in London is working ( to kill the Duce at all costs. If Schirru failed the band was plotting to send an aeroplane to bomb Signor Mussolini in his home. A pilot had been chosen for, the task and the machine and bombs were ready. The' question is now raised whether these three leaders can be extradited. THE PENALTY PAID. ROME, May 29. (Received May 20, at 9.15 p.m.) Sehirra was shot at 4.77 a.m.