The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-19

ceau's back and shoulder and he ap-
parently. is not dangerously hurt.
The shooting took place 1T 8:55
| O'clock this morning, ~ the premier
was leaving his house In the Rue
FrankAin, to go to the war Office.
.Aesassin Arrested.
The assassin was an ordinary look
ing man, dressed as a workman. Five
shots were fired, Of which one took
effect in the premier's shoulder. The
assassin was arrested.
1t was learned at the city hall that
the assassin of Premier Clemenceau
was a man named Emile Coffin, 25
years old and born at Creil. The man
said his home was in Montrouse quar-
ter Of Paris. The police, however. do
not believe the papers he possesses
belong to him and are inclined to
think him Russian.
When the first shot was fired Pre-
mier ClemeQceau Immediately tried to
open the door of his car. 1t was while
he was attempting to do this that he
was struck. He was able to go on
foot into his own house where shortly
before noon the American Press was
informed he was sitting up in an arm
chair smoking and laughing with his
staff Of assistants.
Grappied with AssaiIant.
The only sign of trouble from the
wound, 1t was stated, was a slightly
increased temperature.
Policeman Goursat, who was wound
ed in the right eye, although not seri-
ously, by one of the assassin's shots.
told representative of the Associated
Press that Premier Clemenceau rush.
ed up to the assassin and grappled
with him.
IL OutstandIno Figure.
George Clemenceau has been one OF
the leading statesmen of France for
decades. but 1t was not until the crit
ical stages OF the great war came.
and he took the reins and guided the
country through to the end Of the
struggle that he became the world re-
nowned figure that he is today.
fighting ended, M. Clemenceau has
continued at the head of the French
government during the trying peace
delegation In the peace conference,
he has been an outstanding figure in
the deliberations of that body. over
whose sessions he presides.
OF an extremely vigorous and ag-
gressive personality. Premier Clemen-
ceau, while attracting to himself a
large and loyal following, has as well
determined and outspoken opponents.
At every turn Of affairs in the parlia-
ment, however, he has been able to
wear down the opposition to him and
just before the opening OF the peace
conference he and his administration
were giving striking vote OF conf
dence by the chamber of deputies.
Represents Moderatee.
Premier Clemenceau, while formerly
classed as a radical. has come to be
known in later years as representa-
tive rather OF the more moderate ele-
ments in the French body polite and
1t Is this phase of his activity that
he has been opposed by more extreme
elements in the French political world.
who have accused him of giving his
policies too much Of an imperialistic
trend. He was credited ut flrst with
being opposed to the plan for the
league Of nations In fits broader phases
expressing q preference for the bal-
ance OF power secured by France.
Great Britain, the United States and
Italy. His representatives, however,
have Joined freely In the work Of
framing the covenant Of the league
and with some reservations. expressed
approval of 1t as It was laid before the
peace conference.
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