NARROW ESCAPE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 7

NARROW ESCAPE

MUSSOLINI IN DANGER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT BODYGUARD SHOT DEAD (United Pre&s Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 18, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17 The Rome correspondent or the British United Press says that Signor Mussolini escaped assassination on February 15, when an attacker shot his bodyguard in front of II Duce’s residence in the Villa Torlonla as Signor Mussolini was departing for the Palazzo Venezia. It is reported that the bodyguard challenged a loiterer at the main gateway, whereupon the stranger fired a revolver shot through his coat, wounding the guard in the stomach. Signor Mussolini rushed up as detectives and members of the household staff were arresting the assailant. The police are reported to have as-

certained that the assailant was released from an asylum last week and is still carrying certifying papers.

SHOTS BY A MADMAN A MILITIAMAN WOUNDED NO ATTACK ON MUSSOLINI (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 18, noon) ROME, Feb. 17 An official communique states: “ The report that an attempt was made recently on the life of the head of the Government is false. The rumour arose from an incident caused

by a madman firing shots in Via Nomentana. Via Nomentana is near Signor Mussolini's residence.” A further communique says: ‘‘At 2 p.m. on February 14 in Via Nomentana a plain-clothed militiaman noticed an individual who evidently was mentally unbalanced, and approached him with the intention of calming him. The individual fired, wounding the militiaman in the abdomen. ‘‘ The man was arrested and identified as a mechanic, Bruno Simone, 38 years of age. He had twice been detained in a lunatic asylum, from which he was released last year.