FRENCH SHOOTING SENSATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20680, 19 March 1937, Page 9

FRENCH SHOOTING SENSATION

, SEQUEL TO LOVE AFFAIR WOMAN TAKES BITTER REVENGE INTERESTING REFERENCES TO MUSSOLINI United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, March 17. While waiting on the Gare du Nord platform for a train to Brussels, tiie Comte de Chambrun, ex-French Ambassador to Italy, was shot in the groin by a smartly dressed young woman, who drew a revolver from her handbag. The woman, who • is a well-known Paris ex-actress and journalist was arrested. * The Comte de Chambrun was sent to hospital and operated on. His condition is serious. LOVE TRAGEDY REVEALED WOMAN'S REASON FOR ATTACK United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 18. 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 18. The Paris correspondent of “The Daily Mail” says that Comte de Chambrxxn’s assailant is known by the pen name of Madame de Fontange, but her real name is Madame de la Ferrieres, a former wife of the Deputy Prefect for the Provinces. She is described as a strikingly beautiful and gifted woman, with a wide circle of friends in French and Italian diplomatic circles. She Is aged 30. Point Blank Attack The shooting occurred five minutes before the train to Brussels was due to start. Madame de Fontange fired three times at point blank range. Comte de Chambrun did not fall but turned quietly to the police, who rushed forward, saying: “Arrest that woman.” Doctors say that he was not vitally injured and his life is not in danger. Passionate Love Frustrated The Paris cox-respondent of “The Daily Telegraph.” says that Madame de Fontange told an examining Magistrate that she regretted having failed to kill Comte de Chambrun, who she accused of making remarks about her in Rome and px-eventing her approaching a very high personage, whom she had previously interviewed for her paper. The correspondent adds: “It is stated that she has fallen passionately in love with this personage.” Comte de Chambrun is aged 62. He was appointed Ambassador to Rome in 1933 and he retired last year. He is a member of one of the oldest families in France.

It is alleged that Madame Fontange told the police that “Comte de Chambnxn caused me to lose the love of a man who is too well-known to be mentioned. I confided certain things to him, trusting to his friendship not to repeat them. He has broken my confidence. He lost me the love of the man who really loved me.” International Significance The Paris correspondent of “The Daily Mall” says: Sensational reports are circulating in Paris about the circumstances leading up io the shooting. “I learn the police inquiries have assumed intei-national character,” -aid the correspot.dent. A friend said that Madame Fontange and Comte de Chambrun had known each other for some time. They met for the first time in Rome, where Madame de Fontange went a year ago as representative of a Part 1 ' evening newspaper to obtain interviews of which she obtained a number, including one with Signor Mussolini. Italian Statesman Mentioned The Paris journal “Le Matin” reports Madame de Fontange as saying: “Comte de Chambrun made me lose my affectoin for a great Italian statesman.”