AEROPLANE DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 23 May 1911, Page 5

AEROPLANE DISASTER.

FRENCH MINISTER FOR WAR KILLED. PREFER SERIOUSLY INJURED. By Cable—Press Associa tiou—Copyright. Paris, May 21. The aviation race to Madrid began today. There were twenty starters, besides nine military men, who will go to the frontier only. At the start an aviator, in avoiding a collision, swerved, and his machine fell on a group of Ministers and officers, and M. Monis, the Premier, and M. Berteaux, Minister for War, were seriously injured.

The condition of M. Monis is grave. He has shown no signs of life. M. Berteaux subsequently died. He was struck by the propeller of the aeroplane.

M. Monis sustained complicated fractures of the leg, a fractured nose, and is suffering from severe thoracic and abdominal pains. A bruise in the region of the liver is considered also a somewhat serious feature.

M. Monis' son-Antoine, seeing the aeroplane approaching, pushed his father down on the ground, and thus probably saved his life. A projecting part struck Antoine lightly. M. Monis, on recovering consciousness, enquired whether others were injured. M. Bertcaux's fate was not mentioned to him.

M. Cruppi will act temporarily as Minister for War. The aviator and a fellow passenger were uninjured. King George sent Mil. Fallieres and Monis a message of sympathy. Sir Edward Grey sent a similar message on behalf of the English Government. ~ ■•■ : rf!F'HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A SCYTHE-LIKE ACTION". CRUSH AT THE GATES. SIXTY PERSONS INJURED. THE PREMIER IN LESS PAIN. Received 22, 9.10 pjn. Paris, May 22. Hundreds of thousands of people were at Issy. Several aeroplanes had started, when many of the spectators invaded the course. A squadron of cuirrasiers were ordered to clear the ground. They galloped from the grandstand towards the crowd, behind whom was an aviator named Train, who was circling the ground some distance behind the Ministers. The latter were walking to the grandstand. Train, adjusting his balance to descend, as the machine was not working satisfactorily, endeavored to steer round the cuirassiers.

General Berteaux, noticing the coming mishap, ran with his arm upraised and shouted a warning to his colleagues. The steel monoplane, however, flashed like a scythe into the scattered group. A witness saw the motor strike General Berteaux. One of the propeller blades also struck M. Monis' face and down the body. The crowd were horrified and immediately dispersed. Sixty were injured owing to a crush at the exits. At M. Monis' instance, the race resumes to-day. M. Monis is in less pain internally. The doctors injected anti-tetanus serum as a precaution. WORLD'S OBJECT LESSON. CRISTS IN FRENCH CABINET. A GREAT LOSS. Received 22, 11.40 p.m. London, May 22. The Times, commenting on the Tssy disaster, says that it is a world's object lesson, and suggests that it is the urgent duty of the Home Office to confer with the Commissioner of Police, and. if necessary, advise the passing of a short Bill for the control of aviation during the Coronation period. Regarding the crisis in the French Cabinet, due to the death of the Minister for War and the injuries to the Premier, the Times adds that M. Monis owned that his position was largely due to M. Jauress' approval. General Berteaux was his right-hand man, and was instrumental in retaining the Socialist support for him. His loss would be doubly felt, owing to the present situation in Morocco. General Berteaux could persuade the Socialists to condone if not accept the Government's policy. They possibly would be less ready to accept it when presented to them by others.

" CABINET MUST RESIGN." Received 23, 1 a.m. London, Max nn ■Renter's Paris correspondent reports that M. Monis' presence in Parliament is considered indispensible, especially in connection with electoral reform. Rome Ministers share the impression that Cabinet must resign.