Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-20
Party Estimated From 5 to 30
Blocks Road, Hides Be.
hind Hedge, and Uses Guns
And Bombs.
IRISHLNICER0Y UNHURT;
ONE ASSAILANT SHOT
At First Return Fire From
viscount's Car Ruffians Flee
Across Fields, One Being
: Shot-EngIand Stunned.

Dublin, Dec. 1o.-(By The Asso-
ciated Press.)-A determined but un-
successful attempt was made today
to assassinate Viscount French, lord
lieutenant of Ireland.
The attack evidently had been
most carefully organized at a spot in
a narrow, winding road with high
walls and hedges, affording the as
sassins good hiding places. One of
the attacking party was killed and
detective seated with the chauffeur
Of the viceregal car was slightly
wounded in the hand. Viscount
French was not injured. Some dis
tance away a policeman patrolling
his beat was shot in the ankle.
Both bombs and revolvers were
used by the assailants, the number of
whom is variously estimated at from
FIVE to Is. The Smaller number, how
ever, fis considered more probable.
The viceregal party fired on the as
sassins as they fled across the fields.
but all escaped except the one man
killed, who was shot through the
head.
Road Was Obstructed.
The anbuscade had been, carefully
planned, the assassins placing OBJ
structions in the narrow part of the
road hoping to compel the motor
cars in which the viceregal party
was travelling to stop. Behind hedges
and walls in favorable positions they
had stationed themselves for firing
upon the lord lieutenant and his
party.
When the machine approached, re-
volvers were fired and bombs we're
thrown. The assassins evidently ex-
pected Viscount French would be in
the second car in the line and at it
most OF the shots were aimed. He.
however, was in the first car. into
which only few bullets penetrate.
A shot. however. directed at the
first car struck the detective who
was sitting beside the driver, in the
hand.
Almost Immediately the viceregal
party opened fire on the ambuscaded
men, who took flight on bicycles
across the field. During this shooting
one of the men, later identified as
having fred directly at Viscount
French's car, was seen to throw up
his hands and fall Several yof his
friends stopped and lifted the body,
intending to carry it away. but they
abandoned it when they found the
man was dead.
Had Hand Grenade.
Around the finger of the fallen
man was found the ring of a dis
charged hand grenade and in his
pockets were two revolvers-one of
Spanish make and the other an old
German model. Also there was found
in his pockets bank book which
identified him as Savage. the clerk of
a spirit and grocery dealer employed
on North Strand. Dublin.
From this book it was ascertained
that he had deposited a sum of
money early in the day belonging to
his employer The police hope
through this identification to track
the mans associates.
During the shooting police con-
stable patrolling the neighborhood
ON a bicycle was shot in the ankle.
Lasted Half Minute.
The affair lasted about half
minute, but during this time the
firing from both sides was rapid.
,Viscount French proceeded to the
vieeregal lodge where he had
luncheon as usual. The police went
out and searched the roads and
fields in the neighborhood of the
shooting. They found some undis-
charged hand grenades in the vi
cinity.
Viscount French received numer-
Gus telegrams during the day con-
graduating him on his escape.
Among the first of these we're mes
sages from King George and Pre-
mier Lloyd George.
That the attack on Viscount
French had been carefully planned
is indicated by the fact that his as
Continued on Page Five. Column Four.)