A Judicial Murder.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 October 1914, Page 8

A Judicial Murder.

Of all the atrocities which stained

the name of Austria during the Hunfarian War, and brought down

upon her the execration of the civilised world, none was so base and infamous as the judicial murder of Count Batthyani, a scion of one of the noblest and most ancient of the Hungarian families. He was a consistent supporter of the Liberal party and a leading member of the Upper House of the Hungarian Parliament, anxious to maintain the connection. with Austria, but, at the same time, to see his country restored to her ancient rights as an independent State united by the Crown with Austria.

As a final effort for conciliation a deputation waited upon Windeschgratz, in order, if possible, to effect a compromise with the King ; but the Austrian general refused to see its most distinguished member—• Count Batthyani. This was ominous, and in January, 1549, the Count was arrested. Nine months later he was tried by court-martial on October 6, found guilty of high treason, and sentenced to be hanged.

Having taken leave of his wife, he endeavoured, in the course of the night, to escape the infamy of such a death by opening the veins of his neck with a blunt, paper-knife; butj the attempt was discovered, and the"! surgeon stopped the bleeding. The sentence, however, was not executed according to the letter, for the next day the noble patriot was shot, dying as he hart lived, "calm, majestic, and conscious of innocence."