TROTSKY DEAD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21199, 23 August 1940, Page 7

TROTSKY DEAD

ACT OF REVENGE BLAME FOR STALIN NO INFLUENCE ON MASSES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) MEXICO CITY, Aug. 21 The former Russian leader, Leon Trotsky, died in Mexico City today, following an attack made on him in his home. His death occurred at 7.25 p.m., Mexican time, with his wife, two of his personal bodyguards and hospital attendants at his bedside. It is reported from New York that Kerensky expressed the opinion that the attempt on Trotsky’s life was merely an act of revenge, since he at present had no influence on the Russian masses. Mr Joseph Cannon, secretary of the Socialist Workers’ Party at New York, said Trotsky's last words before losing consciousness were: “I will not survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he has attempted unsuccessfully before.” Trotsky’s Career Leon Trotsky was bom in the Ukraine in 1880. In October, 1927, Trotsky was expelled from the executive of the Third (Communist) Internationale after a violent attack on the Soviet dictator, Stalin. In January, 1928, Stalin and his followers decreed the banishment of Trotsky and more than 30 members of the opposition, on the ground that they had developed anti-Soviet activities by attempting to create a secret organisation to work against the dictatorship with the aid of foreign diplomats in Moscow. On January 16 Trotsky left for his place of exile, Vierney. In turn he went, with his wife, son and daughters, to Constantinople, Prinkipo, Corsica, France, Barbizon, Norway, finally going to Mexico in 1937. He was refused admission to Spain, Britain and Ireland.