POISON PACKETS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10033, 2 May 1910, Page 5

POISON PACKETS.

ATTEMPT TO KILL OFFICERS.

United Press Association—By Elcctrio Telegraph

Copyright. Received April 30, 10 a.m. VIENNA, April 29

Lieutenant Hofrichter has confesstd to having attempted to poison ten General Staff officers.

SENSATION IN BERLIN

Received May 1,5 5 p.m. VIENNA, April 1

Hofrichters confession lias caused a profound sensation in Berlin. The motive for the crime was a wish to create vacancies, so that Hofrichter should become a staff officer, thu3 improving the position of his wife, whom he adored.

In consequence of the previous assertion of her husbands innocence, Frau Hofrichter has been minutely cross-examined, and detained in custody.

Early in November last fcrty officrs of the General Staff in Vienna received through the post packets containing alleged samples of "nerve cure."' A captain who tested his sample died. Subsequent <•xamimticn showed that all the packets cmtained cyanide of potassium. Hofrichter's motive was to secure his own promotion, which a new staff appointment threatened. During the trial there was an amszirg development. It is alleged that the discovery had been made that Hofrichter, under (he assumed name of Dr Hailc, endeavoured to drug an innocent girl. A jetter addressed to "Haller" was opened at the deal-fitter office, and found to contain poison.