American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-02-21
hold ATTEMPT MADE TO
MURDER CLEMENCEAU
Nould.be Assassin Fires Seven shots,
Three OF Which Take Effect, Wen.
deriul Vitality win Probably Save
Aged Statesman.

PARIS (By Associated press)-Ae
o'clock Wednesday afternoon Pre-
mier Ciemenceaus condition was con-
sidored satisfactory. He had par
taken of food and was cheerful, desc
pite fits OF coughing.
George Clemenceau. the French pre-
mier, was struck three times by bull
let's In an attempt TO assassinate him
Wednesday One bullet entered the
right shoulder and lodged under the
left shoulder, missing the spinal cord
aad the lungs The other two bull
lets caused scarcely more than abras-
ions of the skin on the right arm and
the right hand
In all, seven shots were fired at
the premier pointblank by the assas-
sin, Emile Coffin. known in anarchis-
tic circles as "Milou," who was ar
| rested directly after the shooting.
| Two bullets passed through the cloth
ing of the premier
i. AS the first shot struck the auto
mobile Premier Clemenoeau leaned
forward and began 10 open the door.
II 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 wound
ed, stopped the machine and the pre-
mier stepped to the roadway. The
police agents already We're struggling
with the prenier's assailant,
After getting out of the automo-
bile in which he was riding when
shot, the premier without glance
in the direction of Coffin, started to-
walk toward the front door Of his
home. Before he reached the door "a
number of persons came up 20 assist
him.
1T is not serious this time" he
said.
Leaning on the shoulder OF do
, mestic OF his household, he walked
, up to his bedroom. NJ Clemenceau
D sat down on the big arm chair ana
i began 30 Joke with the servants. who
were In tears saying TO them'
a "Ce nest rien ct Is rothingl.
d Marshal Foch arrived at the pre-
j. mier's residence about 10 o'clock ana
e took a seat In an adjoining room to-
await developments. The marshal
l. had few words with the premier ana
II reported him as saying
l. Il have lodged bigger ones than
Ie that at the front"
m About noon doctors Informed news
ID paper men the premiers condition
10 had been satisfactory up 20 that time
,r and that no complications was feared
e. IL was learned at the city hall that
the assailant OF Premier Clemenceau
I'd was a man named Efmile Coffin 20
* years old, and born at Creil. The
Dr. man said his home was In the Mont
20 rouse quarters OF Paris. The police,
D. however do not believe the papers he
OF possesses belong TO him, and are in
d. cllned to think him Russian. He
ls' has long, light hair, and Is tall ol
'e- stature
it. One of the witnesses of the shooting
ito Henry Moulin, BARRIERS assistant
told the Associated Press representa-
he tive that when he heard the first sho
al, fired he believed II was the American
te- firing In the air, "es they are In IN
he habit OF doing" he said Moull'
at rushed out OF his shop when he say
what was happening, however, crying
the They have assassnated Nlemeh
OF ceaul" lie closed with the premier
the assallant, Moulin added, and the ma
nts threw away his revolver and held u
the his hands.
in George Clemenceau has been on
tier OF the leading statesmen OF fran.
had for decades, but II WAS not until u
mt critical stages OF the great war can
TO and he took the reins ana guided u
up, country through 10 the end OF u
struggle that he became the wor
renowned figure that he Is today
With the war, or at least the a
les tual fighting ended, NJ. Clemeneei
has continued AT the head OF q
tate French government during the tr
lers ing peace-making period, Head
the French delegation In the pea
conference, he bns been an outstan
ling Ing figures In the deliberations Of IN
bill body. over whose sessions ne pr
'gis- sides.
ling or an extremely vigorous and a
mis- eressiye personality, Premier Cleine
= as ceau. while attracting to himself
de- large and warmly loyal following, Il
az well determined and outspoken {
Ition ponents. Al every iurn OF AFFAIRS
n 40 the parliament, however, he has DC
-tant able TO wear down the opposition
,eing him. and last before the opening
the peace conference he and his
the mlnistratlon were given striki
mis- vote of confidence by the chahspe'
raise deputies.
the Premier CleWenceau, while form
nent. ly cIassed as radical. has come To
the known In later years as represen
D the tive rather Of the more moderate
as Of ments In the French body polite
nedi- Notwithstanding his advanced ye
the is rs years Of aSe) M. ciemenc'
here has continued In recent months
I the pusttfy the sobriet OF the "ng'
( law which long has been applied TO b
going through the trying. work Of
peace conferences. with. lt4 gsany y
lpday consultations. without .1ten show
ested eigns OF fatigue sg !.
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