M. DOUMER DIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18631, 9 May 1932, Page 7

M. DOUMER DIES.

SUCCUMBS TO WOUNDS BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS FAIL ASSASSIN’S DECLARATION. HAD NO ACCOMPLICES. M. Doumer, President of France, who was shot and desperately wounded on Friday whilst attending a book exhibition, suocumbed to his wounds early on Saturday morning. The orlme has aroused widespread resentment, which Is expected to have a reflex In the general election. Gouguloff declares that he acted on his own Initiative and had no accomplices.

FOUR SHOTS FIRED. TWO OTHERS WOUNDED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. PARIS, May-7. _ President Doumer died at 4.45 this morning, of wounds received from a Russian assassin’s revolver on Friday after noon. The President was attending a book afternoon, given for the benefit of war veterans, and held in Air Solomon Rothschild’s house, near the Elysee. The usual guard of detectives was present, but no one contemplated the possibility of an attempt to murder the President on such an occasion. President Doumer was crossing the room to speak to M. Claude Sarrere, a well-known author, who was in charge of the bookstall, when a powerfully built Russian at least 6ft 3in in height,, neatly dressed in a black suit, and weai’ing black.glasses, turned from the stall and fired four shots at the President at a distance of three feet. He also wounded AI. Sarrere in the hand, and a detective named Guichard. The President waved his arm, and then collapsed, clutching his stomach as he fell. He was heard to mutter, “Is it possible?”

THE FINAL SCENE. SURPRISING FIGHT FOR LIFE. STATE FUNERAL ON THURSDAY. PARIS, May 7. On a .simple iron bedstead in a small room in the Beaujon Hospital M. Doumer’s surprising fight for life ended just as the first real summer dawn in Paris was breaking. The President’s wife and daughter, the Prime Alinister, AI. Tardieu, and three other Ministers were present. A state of coma came at 2.30 a.m. after very brief periods of consciousness. Alorphla was repeatedly administered. AI. Doumer previously had borne the reuniting of the axillary artery without an anaesthetic.

The Cause of Death. The real - cause of his death was hemorrhage from the wound in the head, for which four blood transfusions were tried. Outside the hospital 10,000 people kept vigil all night. To them the death of 'the President was announced by a commissionaire. The crowd remained with their heads uncovered until 5 a.m., when a hearse took the body to the Elysee. Aladame Doumer was prostrated. She was comforted by her daughter and M. Tardieu. The body Is to be embalmed and will lie In state till Thursday, when a State burial at the Pantheon will be held. As 'the hearse bearing AI. Doumer’s remains traversed the streets to the Elysee in the grey down silent crowds bared their heads. The President’s family and members of the Cabinet followed in other oars. All were in tears. • A platoon of the Republican Guards presented arms as the coffin was slowly carried up the main steps of the Elysee, which were lined by the President’s military household in full dress uniform. AI. Guichard, head detective, says AI. Doumer insisted upon attending the book exhibition in spite of advice to tho contrary.

No Accomplices. The assassin declared that he had no accomplices. The Government recently was warned of the formation of a new international group of anarchists in France, but inquiries had proved fruitless. It transpires that Gouguloff had reconnoitred the scene of the murder on Thursday. He was the first to call at AI. Sarrere’s bookstall. He disregarded an exhortation to go as the President was coining. The police found in Gouguloff’s pocket an autobiography. This contained the following passage: “This is my confession. Before God, France and Europe I am prepared to attempt to kill At. Doumer single-handed. “I am not French; I am not a bandit; nor am I mad. The members ot my association have nothing to do with it. I had no confidence in them." Gouguloff has a narrow forehead and beetlins brows. lie Is not like an intellectual. On the contrary he looks like a degenerate.

It Is reported that Gouguloff applied for membership of a Russian doctors' association. Ho had a Prague diploma hut not a Russian one, and could not, produce sponsors, so ho was not elected. Parisian Russians say the assassin belonged neither to the Bight nor to the Lett. Probubly he is the only member of his so-called party. Assassin’s Wlfo Arrosted. Gouguloffs wife was arrested on her arrival at Monaco by special aeroplane from Prague, where she and her husband had lived for some time. Tlie man was regarded as half mad but harmless. Ho wrote a pamphlet on the subject of the Russian dictator-

ship, a position which he imagined he was destined to till.

The Russian’s wife is being brought to Paris for examination. She says she cannot understand her husband’s act. He is no Bolshevik and did not attend Bolshevik meetings. He was expelled from France at the en,d ol 1931. BRITISH COURT MOURNS. PUBLIC OPINION SHOCKED. TRIBUTES TO THE DECEASED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, May 7.The British Court is to wear mourning for one week for M. Doumer. Many tributes have been paid to the murdered President, whose assassination has deeply shocked public opinion. His Majesty was informed of his death early and ordered a special personal message to be sent to his widow. Air Lloyd George, Liberal Leader, said it was impossible to understand anybody having animosity against AL Doumer.

Mr G. Lansbury, Leader of the Labour Party, said everyone would view the act with abhorrence.

Messages of national condolence have reached Paris from the President of Germany, Marshal von Hindenburg, and the President of the Irish Free State, Mr De Valera.

LATER. EFFECT ON ELECTION. LOSS TO COMMUNISTS. THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Alay 9, 8.50 a.m.) PARIS, May 8. The assassination of M. Doumer is expected to mean the loss of many votes by Communists in to-day’s second ballots, but is unlikely to greatly affect the final result. If the Radicals and Socialists make the expected gains M. Tardieu’s majority will melt into a small Left majority, with M. Herriot as Premier.

This would not imply a change in foreign policy. BELIEVED TO BE MAD. MURDERER OF ADVANCED AGE. THE KING’S SYMPATHY. (Official wireless.) (Received Alay 9, 10.43 a.m.) RUGBY, May 7. M. Doumer’s assailant is believed to be a madman. The examining magistrate has appointed three alienists to examine him, although in view of his advanced age (75) hopes of his recovery were regarded as slender. •A profound impression has been caused here by the news of At. Doumer’s death.

.The King,, who had been kept closely informed of the President’s condition, was deeply distressed when informed. A message expressing profound sympathy on behalf of the King and Queen has been sent to Madame Doumer through the British Embassy at Paris. Their Majesties cancelled their proposed visit to the theatre tonight.

funeral arrangements. PRINCE OP WALES TO ATTEND. BODY LYING IN STATE. United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 9. 11.45 a.m.) PARIS, May 8. ' The Prince of Wales will represent Their Majesties at the State funeral of M. Doumer on Thursday. The body has been placed in the reception hall and is lying in State in a great catafalque, flanked by tall candles. High officers in the services and the late President’s personal staff stand around it with drawn swords.

The public will be admitted this afternoon when there*wlll be a long procession of bearers of magniflcient wreaths.

The Archbishop of Paris will celebrate a requiem mass and the remains will be interred in the Pantheon. M. Tardieu, will deliver an oration at the graveside. ASSASSIN IN HIS CELL. MUTTERING PRAYERS. WRITES HIS LAST WILL. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 9, 12.30 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. Gouguloff, the assassin, spent the day pacing his 'cell and muttering prayers. He demanded paper, and wrote his will. SORROW EXPRESSED. BY DOMINION PARLIAMENT. “ GREAT NATIONAL LOSS.” (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Monday. Reference to the assassination of (lie French President was made in the House of Rcprcsenlativcs this morning. Expressing Hie deep grief occasioned by the receipt of Hie news, Hie Prime Minister, the RE lion. G. NY. Forbes moved that the following resolution lie conveyed through the proper channels for presentation to Hie Government of France: — “ That members of Ihe House of Representatives of Hie Dominion of New Zealand in Parliament, assembled desire to place on record their sorrow at the tragic death o t tha Pruddaai

of France, M. Paul Doumer, and to tender their sympathy to the people of France in the great- national loss they have sustained. Further, the House respectfully offers to Aladame. Doumer its heartfelt condolence in her bereavement.” The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Air H. E. Holland, who endorsed the sentiments expressed, and the motion was carried unanimously.

THE LATE PRESIDENT. M. Paul Doumer was born at Aurillac, Cantal, in Alarch, 1857, came of poor parents, and at the. age of 1* he had to earn his own living. He worked first in a hrassfounder’s and then in a jeweller’s factory, but spent all his leisure in educating himself, with the result that after some years he was able to enter the University of Sorbonne and take his degree. He was appointed professor of mathematics at the College of Alende and later at the Laon Lycee. But an affection of the throat led him to give up teaching for journalism and politics. AI. Doumer was a keen sportsman. He fought a number of duels in his younger days. In 1888 he entered Parliament as deputy for the Aisne and was Finance Minister in the Bourgeois Cabinet of 1895-96. In the latter year he was appointed Governor-General of Indochina, where he earned a great reputation as an administrator, and worked in close co-operation with General Gallieni, who held the military command there. His wise rule brought a great increase in order and industry to the colony, which, thanks to him, ceased to be a burden on the French exchequer. Leaving Indo-China in 1902 he was President of the Chamber from 1905 to 1906, and at the Presidential election on January 17, 1906, polled 371 votes against 449 given for AI. Fallieres. From 1912 until his eleotion to the Presidency of the Republic on May 13, 1931, he was Senator for Corsica. He did not ocoupy a prominent position during the war, but as Finance Alinister in the Briand Cabinet of 1921-22 he piloted through the Paris Conference the reparation proposals. Opposed to an anti-clerical policy, he accomplished good work as a social reformer and was interested in eugenics. He lost four sons in the war.

AI. Doumer was a man of the type the French have shown they most prefer. He possessed that honourable but neutral character which is held to fit a man for the Chief Alagistracy. He was a frail, bearded man, admired for his integrity and intellectual energy and commanding the respect of all parties. The Presidential election on May--13, 1931, resulted— M. Paul Doumer .. 504 M. Pierre Alarraud .. 334

OTHER ASSASSINATIONS. Assassinations of other famous people since the beginning of last century include the following;.— Paul, Tsxr of Russia, by nobles, 1801. •Selim 111., Sultan of Turkey, 1808. Spencer Percival, Prime Alinist&r of Britain, by Bellingham, 1812. Ferdinand Charles 111., Duke of Parma, 1850. Sibour, Archbishop of Paris, by Jean Verger, a priest, 1857. Abraham Lincoln, United States President, by William Booth, 1865. Milosh, Prince of Serbia, 1868. Georges Darboy, Archbishop of Paris, by Communists, 1871. Earl of Alayo, Viceroy of India, by a convict, 1872. Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey, 1876. Alexander 11., Tsar of Russia, 1881. James Garfield, United States President, by Guiteau, 1881. Lord Frederick Cavendish, Chief Secretary for Ireland, and T. 11. Burke, Under-Secretary, by Fenians, 1882. President Carnot, of France, toy Caserio, 1894. Nazr ed Din, Shah of Persia, 1896. Bordo Odiarte, President of Uruguay, by Arredondo, 1897. Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, by Lucheni, 1898. Humbert 1., King of Italy, by Bresci, 1900. President AlcKinley, United States, by Czolgosz, 1901. Alexander 1., of Serbia, and Queen Draga, by Serbian officers, 1903. Carlos 1., King of Portugal, and the Crown Prince, 1908. Ito, Prince of Japan, by a Korean, 1909. George 1., of Greece, 1913. Francis Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, and his wife, 1914. Count Sturgkh, Premier of Austria, 1916.

Nicholas, Tsar of Russia, and his family, 1918. President Paes, of Portugal, 1918. President Eisner, of Bavaria, 1919. President Narutowlcz, of Poland, 1922. Sir Lee Stack, Sirdar of Egypt, 1924. President Doumer, of France, 1932.