ALSATIAN SHOOTS JUDGE IN REVENGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 4

ALSATIAN SHOOTS JUDGE IN REVENGE.

MAY BE BEGINNING OF TERRORIST MOVE. (United Press inn.— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, December 22. A youngs man, gaining admission to the flat of M. Fachot, a Judge of the Supreme Court, pulled out a revolver and fired three shots. He then bowed to Madame Fachot, who had thrown herself on her knees beside her fallen husband. On the way to the street the stranger encountered the tenant below', who asked him if he had heard shots. He replied coolly: “Yes, someone must have committed suicide. I am in a hurry.” The man later surrendered to the police, giving his name as George Benoit. Pie confessed that his motive was revenge; M. Fachot having been Public Prosecutor in Alsace in the treason trials early in the year. The Judge is seriously wounded in the abdomen.—Australian Press Association. Later. The Government has promoted M. Fachot from Officer of the Legion of Honour to Commander. M. Fachot is better, but is still dangerously ill. Pie told his wife at the hospital: “ I don’t mind if I die, as long as my death helps to seal the bonds between Alsace and France.” According to the “ Daily Mail,” it is feared that this shooting may be the beginning of a terrorist campaign on the part of the Home Rule extremists at Colmar, in connection with the unrest caused by the new electoral campaign. While German money and aid will always be available for the Alsatian autonomists, much agitation against ihe central Government in Paris has a religious foundation. Southern Alsace in intensely Catholic, and the priests are opposed to the French Government on the ground that the majority of deputies and civil servants imposed on Alsace are anti-Christian.—Australian Press Association.