LIFE ATTEMPTED

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1926, Page 3

LIFE ATTEMPTED

MUSSOLINI FIRED AT AND HIT. {Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] ROME, April 7. While Premier Mussolini was leaving the International Congress Surgery, nu elderly woman fired a revolver almost point blank, wounding him slightly in the nose. Mussolini was quite calm, and immediately gave directions with n view to preventing u disturbance.

Tho woman was with difficulty rescued from the incensed crowd, and was taken to prison. She is an English woman, Violet Abilin Gibson.

News of tlie attempt nu Mussolini spread rapidly throughout the city, and caused n profound indignation among nil sections of the populace, especially the central district. Feeling ran high, and a number of young people marched to tho offices of the Opposition newspaper “ Mondos,” whore they violently- protested, and damaged the plant. The authorities immediately issued strict orders to suppress excesses. WOUND NOT SERIOUS. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) ROME, April 7. It is officially stated the wound perforated Mussolini’s nostrils, but it is not serious. Gibson is aged 50 and was tho central figure in a Holy Year drama at Rome in February 1025. She was a devout Catholic. She attended the ecclesiastical ceremonies and later, while under the influence of a religious exaltation, shot herself in the chest in a bedroom, of a private hotel.

Her father was the first Lord Ash bourne, and was prominent in Irisl polities.

Mussolini, holding a handkerchief l<> his bleeding nose, ordered the police to protect the woman from the crowd’s fury.

A member of the family states that Gibson was residing at Rome for eighteen months after her attempted suicide. She was discharged from the hospital under the care of friends. She had no political sympathies in any direction, hut was moody and deeply religious. Her mother died a fortnight ago.

FLAGS FLYING. ROME, April 7

Flags are flying throughout the city in celebration of the Premier’s escape. Enormous throngs are stationed in front of Mussolini’s residence.

Mussolini telegraphed to the King of Italy reassuring his Majesty in regard to his health.