ATTEMPT ON LIFE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 4 October 1933, Page 7

ATTEMPT ON LIFE

SHOTS AT DR DOLLFUSS. AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR INJURED. WOULD-BE ASSASSIN ARRESTED. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 4, 9.15 a.m. VIENNA, Oct. 3. When the Chancellor, Dr Dollfuss, was attending a meeting of the Christian Social Club in Parliament Building at 2.15 in the afternoon, an exmi.litiaman attempted to assassinate him, firing two shots at point blank range. He was wounded in the upper arm and the second shot pierced his coat, but an X-ray examination showed that the bullet failed to pierce his chest. The arm wound was not serious, the bullet entering the fleshy part. Consequently, Dr Dollfuss, after being bandaged, went home, whence he is carrying on. His Government deputies fell upon the assailant and soundly thrashed him before the police arrested him. MINISTER’S BRAVERY.

Dr. Dollfuss’s assailant is Rudolf Vergil, aged 22, a former member of the Christian Socialist Soldiers’ Defence League. He was elegantly dressed and waited for some time at the lobby door for Dr. Dollfuss, who entered accompanied by Herr Stockinger, Minister of Commerce. Vergil approached Dr. Dollfuss, presenting a letter in liis left hand, and drew a revolver from his pocket with his right hand. He then retreated a couple of paces and fired. The first shot entered the arm and the second richoclietted from the Chancellor’s chest and was later found on the floor. When Vergil fired, Herr Stockinger, with great presence of mind, flung himself on his assailant, felling him and preventing further use of the revolver, thus probably saving the Chancellor’s life. ANXIETY RELIEVED. Dr. Dollfuss stepped into the portals, saying: “I believe I have been shot. We do not need an 'ambulance. No not let there be any fuss. Drive me to Dr. Denk’s nursing home.”

Dr. Dollfuss insisted on walking to his own car and was driven to the hospital. After this miraculous esca.pe he showed extraordinary calm and consideration in the anxiety to reassure everyone. He decided to broadcast a few words himself in the evening as the best possible proof of his condition. He immediately received the vice-Chanoel-lor and other Ministers and despatched reassuring messages to the Legations. At Geneva the news caused a sensation in the League lobbies, because it has always been feared that some such incident might precipitate a grave conflict. BRITISH SYMPATHY. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION. (British Official Wireless.) Received October 4, 10.45 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 3. Dr. Dollfuss’s assailant is stated by the newspapers to be a young National Socialist who had been dismissed from the Austrian Army for political activities.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald telegraphed to Dr. Dollfuss as follows: —“I am much shocked to hear of the attack on Your Excellency. Please accept my warmest sympathy and my best wishes for a speedy recovery.” Sir John Simon’s message read : “I am greatly distressed to hear of the infamous attack on Your Excellency’s life and am much relieved to hear the latest report that your injuries are slight. Please accept my most sincere congratulations on your escape.”