BRITISH CONSUL SHOT EIGHT TIMES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8271, 26 October 1906, Page 3

BRITISH CONSUL SHOT EIGHT TIMES.

MARVELLOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH. News has reached London of a determined attempt to essnssinate Mr .Leslie Urqnhart, tbe British Vice Consul, in Baku, whioh has sained tbe reputacion, br repeated labour riots, wild advocacy of revolution, and two massacres witbin a year, of being tbe greatest blood-spot in the blood stained Caucasus. Mr Urquhart 9 name has been well known at Baku during the last tbree years for repeated heroic acts, and * for tbe skill ancl patience with wblob be has guarded tbe interests of the oilfields. But this has marte him a marked man, and the revolutionist are known to have plotted to take bis life. Mr Urqubait was only recently advised by tbe Russian Government to leave his post on account of the danger he ran, but politely refused. While driving in a two-horse phaeton a man of unknown nationality fired a shot, whiob smashed one of Mr Urquhart's fingers. Mr 'Urquhart was unarmed,but being a man of almost giant strength, be upset tbe calculations of his assailant by springing from the phaeton upon him. While they were struggling on tbe ground one of tbe exoited animals kicked Mr Urquhart, ancl the man regaining his feet shot at him wight times with a Browning pistol. Tbe bullets riddled bis cluthes, and Mr Urquhart received six sligbc Body wounds. Recovering from the blow which the horse gave him, Mr Urquhart attempted. to close with bis assailant a second time, but when the miscreant saw that be had not inflicted latal injuries be fled towards a crowd at the 'Corner of i the street, and, although, ologely pursued by Mr Urqubart, evaded capture. M. lavolsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has oonveyed to Sir Aithur Nicolson, the British Ambassador .at St. Petersburg, his deep regret at the outrage. The exploit whioh has made Mr Urqubart's name familiar to all Eiitons and wbiob won for him the Albert Medal of tbe first-class, •was tbe ride from Baku to Zabrat in September last y6ar through thousands of blood-thirsty Tartars •and Armenians to relieve four Englishmen'etranded in tbe midst of tbe oilfield rioting. Mr Urqubart, accompanied by only two Cossacks and a Russian, rode right through several detachments of ferocious Tartars, and was many times covered by their rifles. He attributed the success of his enterprise to bis exceptional knowledge •of the language and life in the Cau>oaaus.