ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT SADI CARNOT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 13

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT SADI CARNOT.

STABBED IN THE STREET. THE PEOPLE OF LYONS FURIOUS. Paris, June 24. While at Lyons yesterday evening M. Sadi Carnot, President of the French Republic, was stabbed to the heart by an assassin. The President still lingers, but the latest bulletins state that he cannot live. His medical attendants have given up all hope. M. Oarnot was stabbed on leaviDg tbe Palais de Commerce in Lyons. The would-be assassin darted out from among a small knot of onlookers and threw himself on the President. He was promptly arrested. M. Carnot was going to the theatre, where he intended to spend the evening. President Carnot is dead. June 25. The assassin Is named Giovanni Santo, and is an Italian. The populace of Lyons are wrecking the Italian cafes in revenge, and it is probable blood will be spilt. The wound was in tbe region of the liver. The President lingered three hcurs and a quarter, and died at a quarter to 1 a.m. He had previously visited the exhibition and held' a reception ; thence had a triumphal progress to the theatre. High festivities were to be held, and the streets were reEoanding with cries of " Vive Carnot I Suddenly Santo jumped on to the step of the carriage under pretence of presenting a petition, and drew a dagger, which was concealed fit a moment by a paper packet. On receiving the fatal blow, M. Carnot sank backwards, and uttering a groan became livid. The Prefect of Lyonf, who was in the carriage, knocked the assassin down. The President was removed to the Prefecture in an unconscious state, but recovered when the doctors probed tbe wound, and exclaimed, " How you are hurting me." The Archbishop of Lyons administered extreme unction, and while receiving the last rites of the ohuvch M. Carnot murmured twice, "I ana dying." Then he said, " I am very glad my friends are here," and so expired. Santo bad lived in France six months, but only arrived in Lyons yesterday. He has given no explanation yet of his motive. His age is only 22 The mob nearly lynched him before the police could get him away. Upon the news reaching the theatre •women shrieked and fainted. Tbe men •howled for vengeance and death to the assassin, and rushed madly into the streets. All illuminations were immediately quenched. The news was not generally known for some time in Paris, where Madame Oarnot and family were. The fury of tbe people of Lyons is terrible. M. Dupuy, the Premier, upon receiving intelligence of the fatal deed, summoned the presidents of the Senate and Chamber prior to holding a Cabinet Council. Santo is supposed to be the avenger of the Anarchist Henri, who was executed last month. There is general mourning throughout France at tbo death of President Carrot. Madame Carnot, with her two Eons, arrived in Lyons, where enormous crowds assembled and extended a sympathetic greeting to her. Madame remained in tbe death chamber foT some time. The body was clad in evening dress, with the grand cordon of the Legion of Honour on deceased's breast. The body will probably lie in state in Pans. The mob wrecked the Italian cafe from which the assassin emerged. The Qaeen. the Prince of Wales, and the English Government wired messages of condolence to Madame Catnot. All the European sovereigns conveyed their sympathy, while the Emperor of Germany personally ■wired to Madame Oarnot. The Italian Embassy in this city is guarded. It ..is reported that the Scotland Yard authorities warned the French pclice a fortnight ago of an Anarchist plot against the deceased. The new President will be elected at Versailles on Wednesday. Tbe public and private buildings all over France are draped in black. Santo confessee that he is an Italian Anarchist from Milan, where he had already been tried and acquitted. The inhabitants of Lyons are firing tbe Italian quarter of the city, shotting "We avenge O^rnot." The doctors tiied an operation in tbe hope of Baying M. Carnot's life, but failed. The Lyons mob, with oriea of vengeanoe, attacked the I allan Consulate. The' American and British press ace un&Bimons in thsir indignation at tbe assassination. It is believed that M. Dapuy has the best Chance at present of succeeding to the Presidency. Other prominent candidates will be : — MM. Casimir-Perier (ex-Premier), Oballemel-Lacour (whom M. Rochefort some time ago predicted would be the next President), Constantf, and Brisson. June 26. An eye witness of the assassination says that M. Carnot had just ordered his escort to fall to the rear and allow these good people to shake hands. At the same instant Santo advanced. The President smilingly stretched out his hand, which Santo gripped with his left and drove a Catalan dagger into the body up to the bilt. Upon the receipt of the news the theatres in Paris, Vienna, and Rome were closed. M. Ca 4 imir-Perier, in tbe Chamber, announced the death of the President, members standing up bareheaded. Tbe scene was extremely impressive. The Chamber at once adjourned. The American Congress, after agreeing to a message of condolenca, adjourned. Tho Premier of Italy announced the news in the House with tears. It was decided to drape the Chamber for the remainder of the session, a tribute of respect which has hithetto only been paid to members of the reigning family. j The President's body will be brought to Paris by night, in order to avoid inflaming the populace. ! ft is now stated that the death agony was

nrotracted, and that M. Carnot expired after a terrible struggle to breathe, which caused the wound to reopen. His last words were " I am grateful, very grateful," referring to the efforts of friends to save his life. The streets of Lyons were Btrewn with goods taken from the pillaged residences of the Italians. The troops bad to be called out to repress the outrages of the mob. The police were compelled to release those arrested to appease the mob. Incendiary fires were quenched. The Italian consulate at Grenoble was sacked. The mob failing to effect an entrance by the-doors stormed the windows with the aid of ladders. It appears M. Carnot had daily received threatening letters since ; the execution of Vaillant. The face of the late President presents a peaceful expression. The Premier, in a letter to the Chamber, says France laments the loss of a loyal servant and upright citizen, and cherishes his memory. M. Challemel-Lacour haß declined to contest the Presidency. The Republicans support M. Casimir-Perier. Santo declines to give any explanation of his motives until the time for his trial arrives. President Cleveland and the Pope have sent messages of condolence. The Emperor of Germany in his message say.? that with all his heart he shares the nation's grief. London, June 25. The English newspapers deplore the President's death. Tb6y appear to believe it was an act of revenge for the recent execution of Anarchists. Tbe English newspapers deplore the death of President Carnot. They appear to believe it was an act of revenge for the recent execution of Anarchists. Sir W. V. Harcourt, Leader of the House of Commons, intends to move that an address be presented to the Qaeen deploring the murder of President Carnot, expressing the abhorrence of the English nation at the crime, and their sympathy with France. June 2G. Parliament did not adjourn in conseqaence of President Carnol'd deatb, as precedents did not permit of such a course, though both sides of the House wished to do so. It is expected the Speaker and a deputation of members will attend the funeral, which will probably take place on Sunday. Home, Jane 25. The Italian Chamber of Dsputies and the Bourse are closed as marks of sympathy with the family of the late French President. Melbouene, Jane 26. The Premier has cabled to Madame Oarnot a message of condolence. Wellington, June 26. The following message of condolence has been sent by the Governor, at the request of Ministers, to the French Government, through | Lord Ripon :—": — " The Government of New Zealand express their grief and amazement at the I shocking crime which has deprived the French ! people of the beloved and esteemed head of their republic." The municipal corporations of New Zealand are sending to Madame Carnot, through Mr Travers, acting French Consul, an expression of sympathy at the murder of her husband. The flags on the French Consulate, the Town Hall, and on vessels in port were at half-mast on Tuesday as a token of respect for the late President Carnot. Oar telegrams inform us that similar displays were made at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The mayor of Christchurch and the president of the Chamber of Commerce sent a cable message, through the French vice-consul, expressing sympathy with Madame Carnot and the French people. Carnot, Marie Francois Sadi, was born at Limoges in AugUßt 1837. He was grandson of Carnot, "the organiser of victory," under the Convention, and was a civil engineer by profession*. At the age of 20 he entered as a student the ! Ecole Polytechnique, and passed with distinction i to a school for special instruction in the building of roads and bridges. During the siege of Paris, in 1871, he was appointed Perfect of Seine Infdrieure, and as_ Commissary ■ general gave valuable assistance in organising the defences of that department. In February IS7I he took his seat in the National Assembly as deputy for Cdte dOr, and subsequently for Beaune. In 1885 he took office in the Brisson Cabinet as Finance Minister, and in December 18S7, on the resignation of M. Gre"vy, he became President of the Republic.—" Men and Women of the Time."