SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 27

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

PLOT FOR ASSASSINATION SCHIRRU ON TRIAL. ROME, May 28. “ I came to Italy to attempt to kill Mussolini, and would probably have, succeeded if I found somebody in Rome I could trust,” confessed Schirru, answering the judge at the opening of the trial, at which he sat in a huge cage guarded by carribineers. The indictment mentioned coded correspondence with a Londoner named Polidori, who allegedly was urging Schirru not to miss the opportunity at the State opening of Parliament to bomb Signor Mussolini.

SENTENCE OF DEATH. ROME, May 28. Schirru was sentenced to death. He will be shot in the back at dawn. He admitted that he .was an anarchist. He maintained that he did not receive help from any accomplices. He said he had neglected his chances to shoot Signor Mussolini at public gatherings owing to the danger’of killing bystanders. A message received on February 6 stated: Michell Schirru, who recently returned from America, where he was spending money lavishly, was arrested in the doorway of the Foreign Office. He had in his possession bombs, and he confessed that he intended to attempt the life of either Signor Mussolini or the King. Schirru desperately resisted the police, and drew a revolver and shot five of them, three being seriously wounded. He then turned the weapon on himself and inflicted a 'serious head wound. When his home was searched a miniature arsenal of bombs and arms was discovered. A later message stated: The Rome correspondent of the Daily Express asserts that London is the centre ot a carefully organised plot to assassinate Signor Mussolini associated with the arrest of Schirru. Cross-examined in hospital Schirru confessed that three ringleaders living in London supplied him with plans and money in order to kill Signor Mussolini. Members of the Italian secret service who were sent to London to substantiate Schirru’s declarations that a band of Italians in London is working to kill the Duce at all costs. If Schirru failed the band was plotting to send an aeroplane to botnb Signor Mussolini in his home. A pilot had been chosen for the task and the machine and bombs were ready. The question is now raised whether these three leaders can be extradited.

SCHIRRU’S EXECUTION. ROME, May 29. The appeal for clemency by Schirru, who was sentenced to death for the attempted assassination of Signor Mussolini, was refused, after which he rejected a chaplain’s assistance. He was conveyed to the Braschi fortress, where a battalion of militia was drawn up with a firing party of 24, all Spaniards like himself, who volunteered to perform the execution. Schirru waved off the priests and took his post. He was riddled with bullets. TRIAL OF OTHER ACCUSED. ROME, May 30. The special State Defence Tribunal continued its sitting after the execution of Schirru, and the trial is proceeding of seven “ Milan intellectuals,” who are charged with plotting against the constitution. The accused are confined, in a large cage. Their ages range from 21 to 26 years, and it is alleged that they belonged to an organisation called “Justice and Liberty,” the objects of which, it is stated, are violent opposition to the Fascist State and the reconstruction of Masonic Lodges. THE TRIAL CONCLUDED. ROME, May 31. The trial has ended. Two of the most prominent of the accused, Signor Bauer and Professor Rossi, were sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years, Professor Roberti and an engineer named Calaco to 10 years, and an aviator named Viezzoli to six years. The others were acquitted.