New-York tribune., 1874-10-30
FOREIGN NEWS.
THE TRIAL OF KULLMANN.

THE TRIAL OF kULLMANN.
OPENING SPEECH OF THE PUBLIC PRosECUToR-THE
ACCUSED ADMITS HIS GUnT-HIs OWN STORY
OF THE CASE. =. ,,.
BERLIN, Thursday. Oct. %, 1874
The trial Of Kullman for attempting to assassnate
Prince Bismarck began to-day at Wurzburg. The
courtroom was densely crowded. Forty newspaper
correspondents were present. The prisoners de-
meanor was very calm. After the formal question
had been asked and answered the indictment against
the prisoner was read. The public prosecutor then
concluded the opening proceedings by q clear and
concise statement of the case, and the examination
of Kullman began. He admitted his guilt on all
principal points.
The Public Prosecutor said that. Notwithstanding
the prisoners admission of guilt, it was necessary
that the full evidence should be submitted to the
Court.
Kullmann in reply to interrogatories, stated that
while living in Salzwedel he Joined a Catholic
society he confessed to previous acts OF violence
such as wounding fellow workman; had been In
the habit of reading both liberal and reactlonary
Journals; had said Bismarck was the worst and
maddest enemy of the Church The prisoner
avowed himself an Ultramontane, and admitted he
had uttered threatening expressions such as Before
| die another must fall" &c. He said ne hrst
thought of killing Bismarck last Easter; he went
to Berlin for that purpose. but was unable
to find Bismarck's residence until ne
learned from the newspapers that the Prince had
gone into the country; he then repaired to Sanger
hausen in order to be near at hand as Bismarck had
not definitely decided what watering place to visit ;
he procured the bullets in Berlin.
Kullmann said he ofted tried his pistol, and recog-
nized the bullets, pistol and map produced In court
as his property; he loaded the pistol with powder,
hall xxhioh ha halipyad sniff
cient to kill man he only ascertained where Bis
marck resided from stranger on Sunday afternoon.
Police Officer KOwerts was sworn and testlhed
that at the time of the attempt on Bismarcks life
he noticed the priest Hauthalter, who stood so near
the Princes carriage that of the horses brushed
against him during the stoppage thus caused kull-
mann hurried to the carriage and fired.
The officers further testified that Kullmann at his
first examination said " You think of course that
belong to the Catholic agitation. 1 certainly
belong to a Catholic Society, but have not
been sent hither" On beng told the
consequences of his crime, he replied. am cared
for" Witness understood this to mean that some
accomplices before the act would provide for his
maintenance If he escaped capture.
The prisoner disputed this conclusion he also de-
MED the truth of Kowertss assertion that his de-
meanor was frivolous he declared it was most cold
and deliberate.
This caused sensation in the court room.
DIR. Diruf deposed as to the nature of the injuries
received by Bismarck and the illness resulting
from them.
The depositions of several physicians were read
showing that the Prince still suffered from nervous
weakness and that he is soon fatigued even by the
exertion of writing.
DIR. Diruff repeated Bismarck's statement that the
shot was fired at the moment he raised his hand TO
his hat.
The interrogation of the prisoner was resumed
He said respect for religion would have prevented
him from making the attempt on Sunday, even II
opportunity offered but he had frequented the
vicinity of the house much, and feared bisinarck
would again escape him, as he did at Berlin.
The prisoner described circumstantially what oc-
curred at the time of the firing in terms identical
with those of the indictment. He explained that he
fired at the head because he thought it possible
bismarck wore a shirt of mail. After firing
the shot he ran in front of the
corriape across the road, where he remained q mo-
ment. when the coachman struck him with his
whip, He intended to fly, but was quickly seized
He learned that Bismarck was ionly wounded
,yb;le he was on the way to prison !;
tboueht he had aimed we'll, but the victim must
have moved; at the time he had a second percus-
sion can in his hand to use if the first missed hre
he was fully conscious of the gravity OH his
crime and of its consequences; Duo hau
made the attempt because he regarded
Bismarck as the originator OF the present relgious
conflict, even though he might not have believed
thar the conflict would cease at his DEATH now that
ba had tbought more of the matter, he said plainly
lie had committed great crime.
A p1nsmith deposed that the two bullets OF kull-
manp's pistol were sufficient to cause death.
A police sergeant who guarded Kulman IN jail
swore that the prisoner told him he was sorry ne
had not taken better aim, and that he perhaps
would have succeeded had he loaded with another
bullet. On being asked how he reconciied sucn
crime with his religious professions Kullmann re-
nlied 1t serves the cause not our bishops i'm
prisonedp
The accused denied having so spoken, but the
witness was positive these were his words.
Another policeman swore that the prisoner said
Even if did not attain the object, there remain
enough persons set on to prosecute it, and they will
succeed. Death is matter of indifference to me.
Better die than allow religion to go to ruin"
Kullmann, interrupting said he did not recollect
these expressions; could only have said many
others may shoot at Bismarck but not that they
were set on" to do it.
Witness resuming declared that Kullmann fur
tber said Bismarck would be shot within ten years
Various acquaintauces of Kullmann gave evil
dence as to his quarrelsome behavior and his indg-
nation at the anti-Catholc laws
Other witnesses depOsed to numerous threats by
the prisoner against Prince Bismarck.
District Judge Debon depOsed that he held the
first examination of the prisoner in the presence of
Prince Bismarck. Before the beginning of the
actual examination. the Prince asked Rullmann
wby he sought to kill him. Kullmann replied. On
account of the May laws"
Bismarck said =" 1t is not fair for feOw-ctizens
to shoot at one another Kulmanu gavenO reply to