Tragic Death Of Former U.S. Statesman

Chronicle (Levin), 23 May 1949, Page 5

Tragic Death Of Former U.S. Statesman

( N.Z.P.A. -

-Reuter,

Copyright)

Received Monday, 10 'a.m. WASHINGTON, May 22. Mr. James Forrestal, former Secrotary of Defence, committed .micide this morning at the Kethesda Naval Hospital, where he iu;cl been imder treatment for "nerY.ius exhaustion." It was announced that Mr. Forrestal took his own life v, 2 a.m. by climbing out of a wind"W adjacent to his room. Recently 1 had shown improvement. He was 57 years of age. The county coroner said that Mr. F rrestal crashed on to the third smry ledge and died instantly. Hospital attendants said that the b' dy was smashed beyond recogniti'm and they were certain of his im-ntity only after a room check. E. fore leaping from the window Mr. Forrestal tied the belt of his buth robe around his throat. Duri; g the first few weeks after h ' admission to hospital he was f arded, but recently the restricU on his movements were relaxed. President's Tribute. "I am inexpressibly shocked and grleved to hear of Mr. Forrestal's fi- ath," said President Truman in a .>4,,ement from the White House. "Thi.s able and devoted public serva ! was as truly a casualty of war a.- if he had died in the firing line." In Paris, the United States Secret ivy of State, Mr. Dean Acheson, aiid ihe Marshal Aid Roving Ambnssulor, Mr. Averill Harriman, paid tributes to Mr. Forrestal's vaiuable services to the United Slu'cs.