“ HIT AND RUN ” INCIDENT

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18255, 17 February 1931, Page 8

“ HIT AND RUN ” INCIDENT

MUSSOLINI VINDICATED. VANDERBILT JUNIOR EXPLAINS. (Received Feb. 17, 12.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 16. In a statement to-day at Los Angeles Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt, junr., described the alleged story of the “hit and run” automobile accident, saying •there was nothing at all discreditable to Signor Mussolini therein, adding: “I told the story not as an indictment, but merely as an interesting and dramatic episode in the life of a great man.” Mr Vanderbilt said a car driven by Signor Mussolini ran over a child during a military inspection. He was driving with the Premier at his invitation. Mr Vanderbilt said he did not know whether the child was. hurt badly. He added: “But I recognised at the time that every precaution had been taken for the safety of onlookers. Signor Mussolini was not to blame. Further, I realised that to stop would have served no purpose; driving on was not cowardly, nor was Mussolini endeavouring to avoid detection. Had Mussolini stopped at a time of possible danger to himself (anti-Fascisls were believed to have been in the crowd) if might have precipitated a riot or even a great ‘'■agedy.”