A CRUEL CRIME

New Zealand Tablet, 2 July 1914, Page 31

A CRUEL CRIME

ASSASSINATION OF THE AUSTRIAN HEIR-

PRESUMPTIVE.*

HIS WIFE ALSO SHOT.

London, June 23. Reuter’s Vienna correspondent advises that the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Heir-Presumptive to the Austrian Throne, and his wife have been assassinated at Serajevo. Vienna, June 28. The Royal couple were driving in the streets, when a student shot at them with a revolver. Both died in a few minutes. The assassin is a Servian student, aged 18 years. He had been banished from Bosnia. Before firing Tib threw a bomb that was resultless. An unexploded bomb was found a few yards from the scene of the assassination, indicating that a third attempt would have been made in the event of the others proving unsuccessful. Serajevo, June 29. Gabrienovic, a compositor, who threw the bomb, belonged to Trebinje. He was arrested. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife continued on their way to the Town Hall, where, addressing the burgomaster, the Archduke said in a loud voice: ‘We come on a visit and bombs arc thrown: it is infamous.’* After a brief reception, while the Archduke and his wife were proceeding towards the military hospital, whither a wounded aide-de-camp had been conveyed, Prinzip, a Servian student at the High School, dashed forward and fired two shots from a Browning pistol. The first shot hit the Duchess on the right side of the body and the second struck the Archduke Francis in the throat, severing the carotid artery. The Duchess fainted and fell at her husband’s knees, and the Archduke became unconscious. They were conveyed to Konak, but both had meanwhile succumbed. The two criminals were almost lynched. Vienna, June 29. Grahinovic was formerly an Anarchist and was recently employed in the Servian State printing works. He returned to Serajevo a month ago. Rome, June 29. The assassination caused consternation in all circles here, and the greatest commiseration for the Emperor Franz Josef. Cardinal Merry Del Val broke the news to the Pope, who is terribly shocked, and sent a long message of condolence and his benediction to the Emperor Franz Josef, and offering prayers for the souls of the departed.