Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-20

Paris, Feb. 19.-Premier Georges
Clemenceau, characterized by Lloyd
George as "France's Grand Young
anarchist. Emil Coffin. known as
"Milou." Seven shots were fired. three
of which struck the premier. One
bullet lodged in the muscles of the
shoulder, penetrating deeply, but, so
far as is at present known, not in
juring the spine or penetrating to the
lungs. Two bullets bruised the right
arm and hand. while two other bullets
are reported to have passed through
the premier's clothing.
At the time of his attempted assas-
sination. NJ. Clemenceau had just left
his home to drive in motor car to
a conference with Colonel Edward NJ.
House of the American peace delega-
tion. and Arthur J. Balfour, British
secretary for foreign affairs. Though
bleeding profusely. NJ Clemenceau was
able to return to his home. where he
reassured the members of his house
hold and waved aside anxious inquirers
with TT is nothing
Latest reports from his attendants
are to the effect that his condition
was satisfa ctory and that he was
cheerful throughout the day, despite
occasional fits of coughing.
For the present, it has been decided
by the surgeons that the extraction
of the bullet may not be necessary,
and arrangements have been made for
the taking of photographs of the in
jured parts.
Coffin. whom the police believed to
be somewhat harmless person asso-
ciating with anarchists and aiding in
their propaganda, declared that he had
planned to kill the premier because
NJ. Clemenceau was the enemy of hu-
manity and was preparing for another
war"
AS the first shot struck the automobile,
Premier Clemenceau leaned forward and
began to open the door. 1t was in this
/ clearly visible position that Coffin fired
the shots which took effect The premier
continued his movement to open the
door, which he did with his wounded arm
The chauffeur, although slightly wounded,
stopped the machine and the premier
stepped to the roadway. The police
agents already were struggling with the
premier's assailant.
After getting out of the automobile
in which he was riding when shot the
premier, without a glance in the drec-
ton of Coffin. started to walk toward
the front door of his home. Before he
reached the door number of persons
came running up to assist him.
1T Is not serious this time" said the
premier in reply to a sympathetic in
quiry.
Leaning on the shoulder of one of the
domestics of his household. the premier
walked up one flight of stairs to his bed
room. M. Clemenceau sat down on the
Dig arm chair and began to Joke with
the servants VINO were in tears, saying
"Ce nest rien." ct is nothng)
Marshal Foch arrived at the premier s
residence about ten O'Clock and took
seat In an adjoining room to await
| developments. The marshal had a few
words with the premier and reported M.
Clemenceau as saying:
Il have lodged bigger ones than that
| at the front"
AFTER temporary aid had been given M.
Clemenceau. Professors Gosset and
Tuhier, of the University Of Paris, were
hastily summoned and had hurried con-
sultation. They decided upon an X-Ray
| examination. One of the surgeons said
that perhaps it would not be necessary
to remove the bullet, as no bones were
shattered and no important blood vessel
mad been touched. although the wound
was quite deep and bled profusely.
Upon emerging from his car, NJ.
Clemenceau passed his wounded hand
over his face. leaving the face smeared
with blood, and this was the reason for
the FIRST report that he had been wounded
| in the head
Marshal Foch arrived about ten O'Clock
,n nnu 'h'er was joined by Marshal Petain
| iney renamed for a considerable period
ire'i'er t!emenceau was quite cheerful
W SPi'e OF occasional fits Of coughing
lie declared to members Of his household
t,""' @ ne 'hought he knew his assailant
re mad seen him last evening when
entering his home, but the man had slunl,
away.
Henry Moulin, barber's assistant. who
was the first to seize the assassin de-
scribed his experience in a somewhat fus-
tered manner:
Il Kept running after the murderer" he
SAID but as ran | was greatly puzzled
what to do with him once | reached him
but when | saw him fling his revolver
away u gave me courage and | ran fas-
TER closing in on him, and ! took one
good swlpe at him ana n couple of kicks
before detective arrived"
Moulin Is strong youth of about 16.
iie seemed to feel very proud as he posed
ior photographers, and blushed as girls
checred and kissed him for his bravery.
/ Policeman Goursat, who was wounded
| IN the right eye, said: 1.-THE bullet which
struck me went through the limousine, as
was directly in line with the assassin.
VINO was rushing toward the premier s
car.