The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-02-21
YOUNG FRENCHMAN ASSAlL-
ANT; WAS CAUGHT
WOUND IS NOT SERIOUS
Colin Name of the Would.Be
Assassin; Gives No Reason
For His Act

Cnceau was slightly wounded by
shot ID from a revolver as he
emerged from his home this morning.
Ills G"sailGnt has been arrested. The
shooting occurred at $3.50 O'clock this
morning as the premier left his res
idence in the Rue Franklin and step
ped into his waiting motor car.
The assailant fired four or five
shots, most of which struck the toneau
of the car, one glancing off and strik
ing the premier on the right shoulder.
inf1icting a slight flesh wound on the
inner side of the right arm Premier
C!emenceau walked into the house,
after he had been hit, without assis-
lance.
News Spread Rapidly.
News of the shooting spread rapid
ly and it was the one topic of con-
versation among excited crowds on
the streets and boulevards. The for
eign peace delegations Immediately
sent eager inquiries as to the condi7
tion of the premier. Shortly after the
telephoned Colonel E. NJ House that
he would be unable to attend the con-
ference dated for ten o'clock this
morning.
The wound is said to be very slight.
The assailant is young Frenchman
named Cotin, eighteen years. of age,
ard a civilian. He refused to give any
reason for his act AS the premier
entered his car Cotin sprang forward
and says that he fred eight shots
from an automatic pistol Sixsof the
shots struck the fEorst Of the ,eaE ts,:cc,
went through the Sl1ss d00rrsl ~ s06e
of these struck the premier as 1t
glanced back.
Premier Clemenceau, as permanent
chairman Of the peace conference, is
the biggest man in all Europe. He
became premier in November, 1917,
and despite his seventy seven years
has survived number of the most
bitter political fights. He is given
credit with Marshal Foch for the al
lied victory and well lives up to his
popular title of "The Tiger"
Won ds May Prove Dangerous.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l
Paris, February 19.-The latest
available information regarding the
shooting of Clemerceau as he entered
his automobile shows that the wounds,
while not themselves serious, may
have dangerous consequences because
of Clemenceau's advanced age The
assailant, the police said, was Emile
Cotin, twenty five years old. The
prisoner said his home was in the
Montrose quarter of Paris. The po-'
lice, however, think he is Russian.
One of the assassin's shots struck
Policeman Goursat in the right eye.
Goursat declared that Clemenceau
rushed to the assassin and grappled
with him.
Clemenceau was taken to his home.
An enormous crowd gathered outside.
President Poincaire and many high
officials soon arrived. Clemenceau
was entering an automobile for
drive when the assassin fred. The
shooting occurred at 8:55 this morn
ing in front of Clemenceau's home on
Rue Franklin. The assassin was
dressed as workman.
cotin Was Beaten.
Clemenceau walked into his house
after the shooting.
Thus far there are no developments
to change the physicians belief that
the wounds are not serious. 1t is be-
lieved that his rugged constitution
will bring about his speedy recovery.
The assassin was beaten by crowd
before the police got him. One wit
ness declared that he heard the shoot
ing but thought it was Americans
firing in the air, "as they are in the
habit of DOING he said
1t is not believed that the peace
conference work will be delayed.
Bullet Near Spine
United Press Dispatch.]
Paris. February 19.--According 10
latest information the bullet fred by
the would be assassin entered
Premier Clemenceau's back and
lodged near the spine. 1t is thought
to be much more dangerous wound
than was at first supposed and it is
feared that complications will set in.
This afternoon an X-Ray picture OF
the position of the bullet was to be
taken.
News of the shooting of the
premier was flashed to President
Wilson by wireless. Cotin, the would
be assassin, is now said to be
we'll Known agitator ard anarchist
of France Clemenceau stated he
did not attach any political signifi-
canoe to the attempt to take his
life.