THE MURDERED KING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144050, 20 March 1913, Page 3

THE MURDERED KING.

HIS LAST HOURS. NEW KING PROCLAIMED. By Electric Telegraph Copyright. SALONIKA. March 19. The King, at half-past five, left King Nicholas’s residence, accompanied by his aide, Colonel Frankoudis. Just -as he terminated his usual walk a bullet struck him in the heart, and he fell into the arms of his aide-de-camp and two soldiers, who were attracted to the scene by the firing. He was conveyed in a carriage to the military hospital, but died in the carriage. King Nicholas summoned the officers to the hospital, and announced the death in a voice choked with sobs, and inviting them to swear fealty to Prince Constantine. All gave the oath amid cries of “Long Ijve King Constantine 1” There are signs of mourning on all sides. Schinas is aged forty, and declared himself a Socialist. His impassive and evasive demeanour suggests that he is irresponsible. ‘ Queen Olga, who has been inspecting the hospitals at Prevoza, is now in Athens, and is coming on to Salonika, where King Constantine will join her. There have been many rumours lately of King George abdicating in Prince Constantine’s favour after the celebrations of his jubilee, which were fixed for September.' The King was chatting with his aide-de-camp, Colonel Frankoudis, on the capture of Salonika and Janina, which he said were a fitting climax to fifty years’ reign. To-morrow he intended to visit the German Dreadnought Goeben, which had come in honour of the Greek King to Salonika. “That fills me with happiness and contentment,” he said. Those were his last words, and ho was immediately shot in the heart. Frankoudis sprang round and seized the assassin's hand, which was poised for a second shot, covering the King with his body. Frankoudis grabbed the assailant until passing soldiers ran up. Schinas states that he was driven to desperation by sickness and want, and the King refused to give him money. LONDON, March 19. The King is coming to London to-day to condole with Queen Alexandra. A meeting of Moslems in London received the news with cries of “Shame on the assassins,” whose nationality and other details were then unknown. NEWS RECEIVED IN ATHENS. GENERAL CONSTERNATION. (Received March 20, 8.45 a.m.) ATHENS, March 19. The news of the King’s murder caused an indescribable sensation in the capital and people were in a state of oonstertiation. Tile streets were still full at midnight. Tile squares, environs of the Palace, ministerial and newspaper offices were draped in black. The people refused to believe that a Greek -was capable of assassinating their beloved King. - THE ASSASSIN’S’ RECORD. (Received March 20, 9.15 a.m.) ATHENS, March 19. Scbopinas asked the police to protect him from the crowd. His college acquaintances dcclarcd,lhat ho had lived abroad and lately returned to Salonika. General Danglish succeeds King Constantine as Commander-in-Chiof. QUEEN ALEXANDRA BETTER. (Received March 20, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. Flags in London are half-masted. Queen Alexandra is better. She has received hundreds of messages and many visiters, including King George, King Hanoel of Portugal, and his mother, Queen Amelie. MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND. Per Press Association. TIMARU, March 19. Mr. Massey sent the following telegram to the Governor to-day:—“The Prime Minister presents his compliments and respectfully requests his Excellency to telegraph to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, expressing, on behalf of the Government and the people of New' Zealand, their horror at the assassination of his Majesty King George of Greece, and also their sincere sympathy with the bereaved Royal i Family and the Greek nation. The Prime Minister further suggests that a message be sent expressing the sincere sympathy of the Government and the people of New Zealand with her Majesty Queen Alexandra, in the assassination pf her brother, King George of Greece.”