LIFE ATTEMPTED

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1926, Page 3

LIFE ATTEMPTED

THE WOMAN'S STATEM ENT

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON. April 8

The circumstances in connection with tbo attempted assassination of Signor Mussolini as gleaned from most reliable sources, are as follows: He was walking towards bis motor car from the •Capitol, after opening the Surgery Con. gross, when u white-haired woman, rather shabily dressed in black, fired a pistol at close range, aiming at his temple. The bullet hit the tip of his nose and Signor Mussolini stepped back, but ho instantly recovered and held his hand over his face. His nose bled profusely over his shirt and his morning coat. Signor Mussolini calmly returned to tbo Capitol, where he was bandaged. He re-appeared very shortly, and then signed to the crowd who had gathered. He spoke a few words commanding calmness, and directing that there should bo no reprisals.

Tho Premier then went home in his motor ear.

Meantime, ihc woman dropped a small French automatic pistol. The crowd were dragging her away by the hair when tho police rescued her and took her to a courtyard, and afterwards to an adjacent room, where she was questioned. The woman was unable to speak. She was overcome with weakness, but she presently indicated that she wanted to write. A paper and a pencil were given her. whereupon she wrote two addresses. Roll) of these proved false. She was then motored to the women’s prison at Mantollas, whore a police prefect questioned tier. The woman, replying in broken Italian, said that her age was 50 years and her name was Violet Hibson. She said slid was of Irish nationality. She said that she did not know why she wanted to kill him. She had never seen Signor Mussolini helore. She had recognised him by means of his photographs. Sho did not express any legret at her action, nor did sho seem to realise her position. It is reported that ihc woman had two phials of poison in her handbag. SAVED BY A PUSH. LONDON. April 7. Tlte “Daily News’’ Home, correspondent states: Signor Mussolini probably owes his life to tho fact that his companion, Professor Giordani. pushed Miss Gibson, who was holding out a paper, what Professor Giordani thought was a petition was actually a paper which contented tho small pistol, which Miss Gibson fired at point blank range at the very moment that Prol'es-or Giordani thrust her aside. It AIDS BY CROWDS. HOME, April 7. In addition to an attack on the newspaper “Mondo” offices, two other opposition newspapers “111 Risorgimenlo” and “Voce Kopublica” were invaded by tho crowds in defiance of the* police and tho carabineers. The crowds smashed furniture, which, with papers, was thrown out of tho windows and made into a- Minfin* in the streets. MUSSOLINI REAPPEARS. HOME, April 8. Despite his experience in the morning, Signor Mussolini attended the inaugural meeting of the Fascist Council at the Dittorio Palace. He appeared slightly pale. 11l tho course of an address Signor Mussolini said that Italy must win in her difficulty abroad, A great crowd lined the route end gave Signor Mussolini an ovation when ho drove off. There was another ovation during the evening outside the Palazzo Chigi when Signor Mussolini, with his face heavily patched from cheek to cheek, and looking (according to the London “Morning Posls’s” correspondent) “like a victorious boxer,” addressed a crowd from the balcony.

Ho declared that despite incidents like that day’s, Fascism would continue its march, and would lead Italy to a high destiny. In conclusion he gave the Roman salute to a delirious assemblage. LONDON, April 8. The “Daily News” Homo correspondent states that in ail address to Fascist leaders after tho attack on him, ftignor Mussolini said: “Me will niaich onwards. If T advance, follow. If I retire, kill me! If I die, avenge me!” THE FASCIST IDEA. HOME, April 7 ; ■Signor Mussolini, addressing the fascist Directory, said lie rejoiced that their battle had- been won in Italy. The old parties bad been routed but their battle bad yet to be fought 1 abroad. 1 Signor Mussolini recalled the inftim of tho historian Sismondi that | tho people who seize the initiative at , a given moment will keep that i nifcisitive for tjvo centuries. He pointed out that the French people had kept ' the initiative for one hundred and - fifty years. ' “Ttaly,” ho added, “has taken the initiative and she has spoken to the world. Tho world fight is becoming fierce and decisive. The scattering ol the remains of tho old parties in Italy has been a thankless task, hut for ‘ victoriously enforcing our new principle, tho world will blazon the mime of our people on the scroll history.” IRISH SYMPATHY. LONDON. April 8. Lord Ashbourne has telegraphed to Mussolini from Dublin that Miss Hibson's fain By regrets the incident and express their profound sympathy. President Cosgrave also telegraphed Mussolini on behalf of the Government of the Irish Free State, congratulating Mussolini and tho Italian people on the former’s escape ; frnm an odious attempt on his person, and hoping for Ids speedy recovery; adding that the infamous attempt had caused much indignation here. HOME. April 8. Violet (iibsfhi, interrogated, said that she herself, guided by u siipci natural force, accomplished what she believed to be a lofty mission entrusted to .her. This statement is contradicted by an army officer, DeTavaiii, with whom Gibson will accordingy he confronted. Tavuiii declared that on tho 28tli. March, tho anniversary of Fascism, be saw a white-haired elderly woman resembling Gibson, try to approach Mussolini who was addressing the crowds. She was holding a bouquet in her left hand, while her right hand was concealed in her pocket. Invimi prevented her approaching nearer nt Fiumieino. MUSSOLINI’S SEND OFF. HOME, April 8. There wore indescribable scenes of enthusiasm this morning on the arrival of Mussolini to embark for Tripoli. Salvos were fired, ships' sirens were sounded and cries everywhere or “Vive Mussolini.”' The populace was so excited that carabiniere bad a difficulty in protecting the Premier from ardent admirers. Bugles rang out as Mussolini boarded the (favour, whose decks, masts and rigging were alive with cheering sailors. MUSSOLTNI UNRUFFLED. HOME, April 3. In tho presence of one hundred thousand people Mussolini embarked as sprightly and radiant as ever. Lengthily questioned, Gibson said an angel had strengthened her hand to kill tho Pope or Mussolini. Sho said it. would 1 have been better to kill the Pope. The police found Gibson’s room, like a private chapel with images of the Saviour and the Madonna. It is stated that Gibson was in a mental hospital for six months. She took ur spiritualism and often declared thal the spirits of great men met her n her room.