SHOT AT

Southland Times, Issue 20016, 2 November 1926, Page 7

SHOT AT

ANOTHER ESCAPE LUCKY MUSSOLINI YOUNG ASSAILANT LYNCHED BULLET GRAZES DICTATOR (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Rome, October 31. At Bologna a youth attempted to assassinate Mussolini by shooting him with a revolver while driving to the railway station. Mussolini was not hurt, and the crowd lynched his assailant, whose body has not been identified.—A. and N.Z. MUSSOLINI REMAINS CALM. BULLET PIERCES EDGE OF UNIFORM. Rome, October 31. Mussolini opened the Scientific Congress at Bologna. His motor had reached the entrance to the Indipendenza when a youth of eighteen fired a shot. The crowd immediately seized and Ivnched him. As Mussolini drove in he chatted calmly with an official at the station and departed for Ferli. He had a very narrow escape, the bullet severing a ribbon of a decoration and piercing the edge of his uniform breast-high and a sleeve. The Mayor of Bologna was seated alongside him.—A. and N.Z. ASSAILANTS TERRIBLE END. CLUBBED AND KICKED TO DEATH. FOURTEEN KNIFE WOUNDS IN BODY. (Rec. 7.30 pjn.) Rome, October 31. Directly the shot was heard the crowd realised that another attempt had been made to murder Mussolini. A yell of horrified anger was raised and before the detectives guarding the dictator were aide to intervene the crowd threw themselves upon the boy, using their fists and sticks and even boots. The youth died within five minutes. Finally the maddened mob dragged the corpse into the middle of the street and left it lying there. The youth is still not identified. Mussolini meanwhile coolly went on to the station. When addressing soldiers on the platform he showed no trace of the experience be had just undergone, though he had actually stopped the car and watched the crowd closing in upon the boy and the roar of the infuriated lynchers must have been ringing in his ears while driving to the station. After the lynching fourteen knife wounds ware found in the assailant’s body.—A. and N.Z. FASCISM TRIUMPHANT. ITALY’S CIVIL RELIGION. MUSSOLINI REVIEWS MILITIA. “RESOLUTE AND INVINCIBLE.” (Rec. 5.5 pun.) Rome, October 31. Mussolini’s assailant was lynched during the confusion following on his attack. Mussolini, preserving his customary calmness, stopped the motor car a few minutes afterwards and reviewed sailors at the station. He addressed a gathering of army officers prior to departing accompanied by his family. He had previously opened a huge sports stadium accommodating 50,000 people. Wearing the uniform of commander of the militia, Mussolini rode on horseback into the vast arena and halted in the centre amid deafening cheering lasting for several minutes. From saddle he barrangued the assembly which punctuat-ed his address with cheers, especially his references to the King as the supreme commander of the Army and the militia. He added: “To-day’s ceremony is the crowning feature of the celebration of the Fascist march to Rome. It is unprecedented in character and significance because it signifies a people under arms is enthusiastically acquiescing in the Fascist regime. The people are willing to follow me everywhere. Fascism is now the civil religion of every Italian worthy of the name.” Then, rising in his stirrups, he exclaimed : “Blackshirts, raise aloft your rifles. Let the world see this forest of bayonets and feel the beating of your hearts, which are resolute and invincible.” Later he took the salute in a march past of regulars, militia and Fascists.—A. and N.Z. BULLET FOUND IN MUSSOLINI’S CAR. IDENTITY OF ASSASSIN STILL UNKNOWN. KING TELEGRAPHS CONGRATULATIONS. (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) Rome, October 31. The would-be assassin managed to get near the cordon of troops and police guarding the route before they were aware of his intention to fire at Mussolini. The assassin was immediately seized by an officer of the Fascists before he was able to fire a second shot. The bullet was found in Mussolini’s car. When the body was taken to the police station nothing was found on the clothing to reveal the identity. A medical examination showed traces of strangulation and fourteen deep knife wounds. The man must have been dead in a little more than a minute from the time he fired the shot. When reviewing sailors and militia officers a few minutes later Mussolini did not refer to the affair. He was accorded a great ovation in the evening when he arrived at Ferli. The King of Italy immediately telegraphed expressing horror and the congratulations of the Royal Family on his escape.—A. and N.Z.