Murder of a King

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 257, 20 March 1913, Page 5

Murder of a King

KING OF GREECE ASSASSINATED.

SHOT BY A MADMAN.

UNIVERSAL GRIEF.

By Cable-Press Association-Copyright. London, March 18. ♦ The King of Greece has been assassinated. Athens, March 18. The Administrator at Salonika reports that two individuals, one of whom ■was named Alexander Schpinas, a demented man, attacked the King in the Street from behind. King Nicholas of 3lontenegro reports that the King died m half, an hour. Loudon. March 18. The King was walking when the assassin attacked him. Schpinas is a Greek degenerate. The pistol was loaded with seven shots. The murderer was arretted. The army officers have sworn fealty to King Constantine. THE NEWS AT HOME. <3UEEN ALEXANDRA PROSTRATED. London, March 18. It is officially stated that King George, while at Windsor, received information that the King of Greece had been shot at close quarters in the afternoon by an assassin two yards away. King George was greatly shocked, and Queen Alexandra was prostrated on hearing of her brother being fatally »hot. The Lord Mayor and the Mayor of Windsor condoled with their Majesties. Lord Selborne. speaking at the Colonial Institute, said it was unnecessary to «xpress what was paramount in their minds. The deepest sympathy would be extended to Queen Alexandra in her loss. DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY. SHOT IN THE HEART. A MAD SOCIALIST. deceived 19, 11.50 p.m. Salonika, March 19. The King, at half-past five, left King Nicholas's residence, accompanied by his aide, Colonel Frankoudis. Just as he terminated his usual walk a bullet struck him in the heart, and he fell into the arms of his aide-de-camp and two soldiers, who were attracted to the scene by the firing. He wall conveyed in a carriage to the military hospital, but died in the carriage. King Nicholas summoned the officers to the hospital, and announced the death in a voice choked with sobs, and inviting them to swear fealty to Prince Constantine. AH gave the oath amid cries of "Long live King Constantine!" There are signs of mourning on all sides. Schinas is aged forty, and declared himself a socialist His impassive and evasive demeanour suggests that lie is irresponsible. ROYAL CONDOLENCES. Received 19, 11.35 p.m. London. March 13. The King is coming to London to-day to condole with -Queen Alexandra. MOSLEM INDIGNATION. London. March J!h A meeting of Moslems in London received the news with cries of "Shame on the assassins," whose nationality and other" were then unknown. ''. * ._— THE KING'S LAST MOMENTS. DRIVEN TO DESPERATION. Received 19, 11.55 p.m. Salonika, March 19. Queen who has been inspecting the hospitals 'at Preveza, is now in Athens, and is coming on to Salonika, where King Constantine will join her. There have been many rumors lately of King George abdicating in Prince Constantine's favor after the celebrations ■ of his jubilee, which were fixed for September. The King was chatting with his aide-de-camp, Frankoudis. on the capture of Salonika and Janina. which he said were a fitting climax to fifty years' reign. To-morrow he intended to visit the German Dreadnought Goelien. which had come in honor of the Greek King to Salonika. "That fills me with happiness and contentment," he said. These were his last words, and he was immediately shot in the heart. Frankoudis sprang round and seized the assassin's hand, which was poised for a second shot, covering the King with his body. Frankoudis grabbed the assailant until poising soldiers ran up. Schinas state- fluit lie was driven to desperation by sickness and want, and the King refused to give him money. NEW ZEALAND'S CONDOLENCES. '■ Per Press Association. Timaru, Last Night. Mr. Massey seut the following tele- ( gram to the Governor to-day:—"The Prime Minister presents his compliments and respectfully requests His Excellency to telegraph to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, expressing, on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, their horror at the assassination of His Majesty King George of Greece, and also their sincere sym- ' pathy with the bereaved Roval Family and the Greek nation. The Prime Minister further suggests that a message be sent expressing the ?iii<—re sympathy of the Government and the people of New Zealand with Her Majesty One.." Alexandra, in the assassination of her brother, King George of Greece."