MUSSOLINI

Southland Times, Issue 20201, 11 June 1927, Page 7

MUSSOLINI

WOULD-BE ASSASSIN ON TRIAL. CALLOUS ADMISSION OF CRIME. (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) Rome, June 10. With amazing coolness and callousness, Gino Lucetti faced his trial before the special State Defence tribunal. He recounted his preparations for his attempts on Mussolini’s life in September, 1926, when he hurled a bomb at the Dictator: “I first conceived the idea of killing Mussolini in December, 1925. I did not communicate my plans of killing to anybody, because the deed must be accomplished rather than talked about. I preferred a bomb to any other weapon because it was likely to achieve better results. I intended to use a pistpl if the bomb failed.” Cynically he confessed to placing poisoned bullets in the revolver for the purpose of making them destructive. The acid used for this purpose was supplied by a friend living in, France. Lucetti repeated that he had no accomplices, and came expressly from Marseilles to commit the deed.” The hearing was adjourned. Women inare not admitted into the Court, following upon Mussolini’s complaint against the recent fashion display at the trial of Zouiboui, which, he said, introduced an element too gay to be permitted in military proceedings.—A. and N.Z.