CROATS GRIEVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 429, 10 August 1928, Page 9

CROATS GRIEVE

DEATH OF RADITCH PEASANTS’ LEADER NO DEMONSTRATIONS ( United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) ( United Service) BELGRADE, Wednesday. The death occurred this evening at Zagreb, Croatia, of M Stefan Raditch, leader of the Croat Peasants’ Party He succumbed to the revolver wound he sustained at the hands of the Montenegrin deputy, Ratchitch, on June 20, in the Belgrade Parliament. The condition of the wounded man was complicated by diabetes, but he appeared to be recovering slowly. He was able to receive his supporters and to transact business. He was normal at 8 p.m., but at 8.50 p.m. he had a heart attack. The doctors were hurriedly summoned but their efforts were unavailing. The news of his death spread like wildfire. M. Raditch, who was born of peasant parents, was a bookseller in Zagreb. He became the leader of the Croat Peasants’ Party and the stormy petrel of politics. He first created a sensation by refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the Serbian King, and he was imprisoned. When he was released he made a speech comparing the Queen of Yugoslavia to Madame Pompadour for her extravagance. Other outbursts on his part occurred in Parliament and elsewhere until matters came to a climax in Parliament on June 20. On that occasion one of Ratchitch’s shots killed Paul Raditch, deceased’s nephew, who attempted to shield his uncle. After a period in hospital in Belgrade Stefan Raditch insisted on returning to Zagreb. His journey through Croatia was marked by scenes of intense enthusiasm. His illness had been watched with anxiety as the authorities feared his death would accentuate bitterness and lead to an outbreak of Croatian anger.

It is known that the Government has taken the measures it considers necessary to cope with any eventuality, but it is hoped that order will be preserved