Austrian Assassins

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 34, 30 June 1914, Page 5

Austrian Assassins

London, June 28.

Sealer's Vienna correspondent reports that the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir-presumptive to the Aubtian throne, and his wife have been assasinated at Serajovo (Bosnia.) 1 A BOMB FAILS. REVOLVER SUCCEEDS. Vienna, June 29. The Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife were driving in the street* when a student shot them with a revolver. Both died in a few minutes. The assassin, who is eighteen years of age, is a Servian student, and had been banished from Bosnia. He firstly threw t bomb, which proved without result.

An unexploded bomb was found four yards from the scene of the assassination, indicating that a third attempt was prepared in the event of the others proving unsuccessful.

THE EXPLOSION. Vienna, June 28. As Inspector-General of the Monarchy's land and sea forces, the Arehdukc voyaged aboard the dreadnought Viribus Unitus from Trieste to Metcovic. He was welcomed at Mostar, where, in deference to local susceptibilities, ia responding to the mayoral address, he spoke partly in German, but chiefly in Serbo-Croatian. Ho proceeded to the army headquarters near Serajevo with the view of attending manoeuvres in mountains to the south-west of Serajevo. There were two attempts at his- assassination. The first took place during his drive to a reception at Serajevo Town Hall. A compositor threw what is called a bottle bomb, filled with nails and lead filings. It did not explode until the car bad passed. The explosion was very violent, and fragments pierced the iron shutters of many shops in the vicinity. Twenty, including many memberg of the suite and several women and children, were slightly injfired.

ARCHDUKE FOREWARNED. PAN-SERVIANISM BLAMED. DETAILS OP THE WOUNDS. CRIMINALS ALMOST LYNCHED.

Vienna, June 28. Some circles attribute the assassination to pan-Servian agitators.

The Archduke was forewarned of the danger from Serajevo, where numerous politicians have been arrested during the past few days. The assassin's name was Prinzip, a Servian, and a student at the High School.

The first shot hit the Duchess in the right side, and the second struck the Arcuduke Francis in the throat, severing the carotid artery. The two criminals were almost lyach • ed. ROYAL SYMPATHY. STATE FUNCTION'S CAN'OELLBI).

London, .fun?. 2ft.

A painful sensation was caused in all circles in London, tlie deepest sympathy being expressed witli the aged Kmperoi", whom the assassin had again afflicted..

King George and the Kaiser have. sai»t touching messages of condolence.

All Court functions in London, as wall as the fetes at Kiel have boon cancelled. All Governments and heads of States ale condoling with the Hmperor Francis I Josef.

THE CRIME DKSCniIJRf). BOTH PISTOL SHOTS lIAVB fVT MEDIATE EFFECT. THE EMPEROR GREATLY PRR • TIT? BED. RETURNS TO ROYAL I'ALACR IMMEDIATELY. Received 20, 7 p.m.

Serajevo, June 2s).

Gabrienovic, who threw the bomb, 'belonged to Trebinge. He was arrested,

Archduke Francis Ferdinand *tt'l his wife continued to the Town H*K. Addressing the burgomaster, the Arch-

Archduke and Duchess Shot Both Succumb Bombs and Pistol Used One Attempt Falls The Becond Succeeds The Work of a Few Seconds Bj Cable—Press Association—Copyright

'AN AMAZING INDIGNITY."

duke said, in a loud voice, M We conic on a visit, and bombs are thrown. It is infamous."

After a .brief reception, while the Archduke Francis and his wife were proceeding towards -the military hospital, whither the wounded aide-de-camp had been conveyed, Prinzip, a Servian etud- [ ent at the High School, dashed forward and fired two shots from a Broaging pistol. The first hit the Duchess on the right side of the body, and the second struck Archduke Francis Ferdinand in. the throat, severing the carotid artery. The Duchess fainted and fell at her husband's knees. The Archduke also became unconscious. They were conveyed to Konak, but both had meanwhile succumbed.

The two criminals were almost lynch'

Vienna, June 29.

Emperor Franz Josef is at Isch. He is profoundly distressed by the tragedy, , and is returning to the palace of Schoenbruim in Vienna.

TUB 'POPULACE ENTHUSIASTIC AT FIRST ESCAPE. OVATION IN THE STREETS.

Received 29, 10 p.m. Serajevo, June 29.

The Archduke Francis and his wife were motoring from the barracks to the Town Hall, and stopped outside the Girls' High School. They had just restarted when Grabsinovic's 'bomb struck the back of the car, falling behind it, iind exploding under the second car, containing the Archduke's suite. Colonel , Merizzo, one of the occupants, was wounded in the - neck. The Archduke 1 stopped the car, and. after learning what had happened, proceeded. The Archduke and his wife were given au ovation.

The enthusiasm which had prevailed along the route, because of their escape from assassination, had already spread among the crowd when the Burgomaster began his address. The Archduke sharply interrupted as cabled, adding, "It is an amazing indignity." He then said, after a pause, "Now you may speak." The Archduke, responding to the address, acknowledged the loyal demonstrations of the populace, describing these as an expression of joy at the failure of the attempt. Although agitated, the pair lost no time in driving tj the hospital, when Prinzip consummated the crime.

The Governor was in the Archduke's motor, and was uninjured.

THE ASSASSIN. GUIDED BY NATIONALIST MOTIVES. A PREMEDITATED CRIME. Received "29 ,10 p.m. Serajevo, June 29.

fiavrillo Prinzip is a Serb, and was born at Grahovo. He studied for some time at Belgrade.

Interrogated, he declared that for a long time he had intended to kill some eminent personage from nationalist motives, He fired when the car was slackening in order to turn into Franz Josef street. As the Duchess was in the oar lie hesitated a moment, but then quickly fired two shots. He denies having accomplices. He says he stood at the corner of the street, with his hands in his pockets, and was able to fire at close range owing to the narrowness of the thoroughfare.

CONSTERNATION IN ITALY. THE POPE'S MESSAGE TO THE EMPEROR. Received 29, 10.55 p.m. Rome, Juno 29.

The assassination caused consternation in all circles, and the greatest commiseration is extended to the Emperor Francis Josef.

Cardinal Merry del Val, Secretary of State to the Pope, broke the news to his Holiness, who was terribly shocked, and sent a long message of condolence and benediction to Francis Josef, and offered prayers for the souls of the departed.

SYMPATHY FROM BOSNIAN REPRESENTATIVES.

Received 29, 10.55 p.m.

Serajevo, June 29.

The Bosnian Diet passed a resolution of sympathy and of loyalty to the throne. All the deputies were dressed in black, except four of the Servian Opposition members, who were wearing their ordinary clothes, their attitude arousing their .colleagues' indignation.

THE BOMB-THROWER AN ANARCHIST.

DECLARES HE ACTED SINGLEHANDED.

Received 29, 10.55 p.m

Serajevo, June 29.

Hedeljko Grabsinovie declared that he reecived the bomb from anarchists at Belgrade, but did not know their names. H'e also denies that he had accomplices. After throwing the bomb lie jumped into the river, but was quickly arrested. Vienna, June 29.

Grabsinovie was formerly, an anarchist, and was recently employed in the Servian State printing works. He returned to Serajevo a month ago. The first semi-official account received at Vienna stated that the Archduke had warded off a bomb with his arm. THE GERMAN EMPEROR'S SORROW. THE SITUATION GROWS MORE SERIOUS. GERMAN INTEREST WILL BE ACTIVELY ASSERTED. Received 20, 10.55 p.m. Berlin, June 29. The assassination caused the deepest consternation and sorrow throughout Germany.

The tragedy is deeply regretted by the Kaiser, who had latterly established close personal and political relations with the Archduke, and would, when the case arose, have strongly championed the claim of the Duchess- of Hohenberg for her place on the throne. German interest in the Austrian problem will now be more intense than ever, and will possibly be more directly and unequivocally asserted now that all problems regarding the succession have been so tragically solved. When the news reached Kiel, the Kaiser was racing his yacht Meteor. The race was stopped, and the Meteor was towed into the harbor.' The Kaiser stood gravely silent at the rail, replying to salutes and an occasional cheer. He returns to Berlin immediately.

THE MONARCH OF MANY TRAGIC SORROWS. "I AM SPARED NOTHING!" THE ASSASSINATION PREDICTED. WIDESPREAD HORROR AND GRIEF.

Received 29, 11.15 p.m. Vienna, June 29,

When the news was broken to the monarch of many tragic sorrows, he became deadly pale, and murmured, "I am spared nothing." Karl Franz Josef, the deceased Archduke's nephew, is, now the heir-appar-ent. He is a promising young Prince.

It is reported that in view of the PanServian agitation in Bosnia, efforts were made to persuade the Archduke to relinquish his visit to the Servian Minister.

Vienna officially warned the AustroHungarian Government of the existence of plots against the Archduke's life.

Several of the newspapers emphasise that the Archduke had latterly inspired a growing confidence, among the AustroHungarians, inasmuch as he approached great questions with an open mind, many of his stronger political feelings having been modified.

Telegrams from all parts ef-the. Empire report widespread horror and grief. Everywhere there were spontaneous loyal demonstrations.

THE DESPERADOES KNOWN AS AGITATORS. SOME REASON'S FOR THE CRIME. WHY VIENNA WAS SURPRISED. Received 39, 11.15 P-m. Vienna, June 29.

Both desperadoes belong to the Serb Orthodox faith, and played a lending part in the anti-Austrian agitation. There arc indications that recent events in the Balkans rekindled the Serb-Chauvinistis' resentment against the annexation of the Bosnian Empire as a serioiw blow to the. cause of Greater Salvia.

Surprise in Vienna at the tragedy was all the move pronounced, inasmuch as the Archduke was regarded as favoring the formation of the monarchy's southern Slavs into a third State on an equality with Austria-Hungary, and from the fact also that his consort belonged to a Slav family.

SEQVf-Li TO SEBVIA'S SUCCESS. j IX THE BALKAN WAR. THJS ATM 11 DUKE'S VIEWS PNpopular. Received 30, 12.10 a.m. London, June "29. The Times sava that the Balkan crisis of I!>T2-1!5 brought the Arcli<luke a severe disappointment. Austria bad assumed, firstly, that Turkey would defeat Scrvia. and, secondly, that Bulgaria, in the second Balkan war, would overwhelm Servia, enabling Austria in either ease to secure a protectorate over the whole .Serlm-Croatian race. Theae

ideas placed the Archduke in antagonism against Servia and the partisans of the Pan-Serb ideal, hence the conspiracy of which he was a victim was possibly traceable to that antagonism. The new heir is unlikely to tread in his uncle's footsteps. The tendency in Austria-Hungary will possibly be in the direction of stagnation, while the constitutional developments are likely to be steadier, and the dual system will maintain for some years the ascendancy hitherto acquired.

MESSAGE FROM KING GEORGE.

BRITISH COURT OBSERVES MOURNING.

Received 30, 1.5 a.m. ' London, June 29. King George has commanded court mourning for a week,

| The King and family were inexpressibly shocked, and his Majesty sent to the Austrian Court an expression of his deep sympathy.

A YOUTHFUL MURDERER.

THE LATEST FROM SERAJEVO.

Received '3O,- 1,5 a.m. London, June 29. Grabsinovie is twenty-one years of

The Times' Serajevo correspondent confirms the statement that Prinzip threw a bomb, which did not explode, and then fired thrice. The first shot hit the Archduke's neck, the second his leg, and the third hit the Duc'hess in the side. The victims on arriving at the Governor's residence were past all human aid, but received the Last Sacrament.

The Archduke expired a few minutes after his consort.

Renter's latest Serajevo report describes the tragedy as the work of a few seconds.

The new heir to the throne, Archduke [Francis Charles Joseph, son of the late Archduke Otto, is about 20 years of age and married, about three years ago, the Princess Zita of Parma, and has one son, who is nearly two years of age. His mother, the Archduchess Josepha, is the sister of the present King of Saxony.