The north Mississippi herald., 1919-02-21
FRENCH PREMIER
SHOT; BUT WOUNDS
PROVE NOT Fatal
The Old Statesman Was Enter
ing His Automobile When
Assassin Crept Upon Him
and Fired Seven Shots, Three
of Which Took Effect, Max
ing Superficial Wounds.


Emile Coffin, known as "Milou. :"
Seven shots were fired, three Of which
struck the Premier One bullet
lodged In the muscles Of the shoulders,
penetrating deeply, but, so far as is
at present known, not iniuring the
spine, or penetrating the lungs. Two
bullets bruised the right arm and
hand, while two other bullets are re-
ported to have passed throught the
Premier's clothing.
At the time OF the attempted as
sassination M. Clemenceau had just
left his hcme to drive in a motor car
to conference with Col. Edw. NJ
House, Of the American peace dele
cation and Arthur J. Balfour, Brit
lsh Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
I n ough bleeding profusely, NJ.
Clemenceau was able to return to his
home, where he treasured the mem
bers of his household and waved aside
anxious inquiries with sit is nothing"
Latest reports from his attendants
were that his condition was satisfac-
tory and that he was cheerful
throughout the day despite occasion
al fits of coughing.
For the present it has been decided
by the surgeons that extraction of the
bullet may not be necessary, and ar
rangements have been made to take
photographs of the injured 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 be-
cause NJ. Clemenceau ''was the enc
my of humanity and was preparing
for another war"
WOUNDS WERE DEEP
AND BLED PRoFUSELY
After temporary aid had been Civ
en- NJ. Clemenceau, Profs. Cossett and
Tifiier of the University Of Paris,
were hastily summoned and had n
hurried consultation. 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 had
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 his face smear
ed with blood and this was the reason |
for the first report that he had been |
wounded in the head.
Marshal Foch arrived about 10
o'clock and later was joined by Mar
shall Petain. They remained for a |
considerable period.
Premier Clemenceau was quite |
cheerful In spite Of occasional fits Of
coughing. He declared to members
of his household that he thought he |
knew his assailant. He had seen him |
last evening when entering his home
but the man skunk away.
ASSISTANT
THE ASSASSIN
Henry Moulin, BARRIERS assist
ant, who was the first to seize the as
sassin described his appearance in a |
somewhat fiustered manner:
81 kept running after the murder |
err he said, "but as / ran l was
greatly puzzled what to do with him |
once reached him. But when | saw /
him fling his revolver away, it gaveI
me courage and ! ran faster, closing
N on him, and took one good swir
at him and couple of kicks before a |
detective arrived"
Moulin is a strong youth of about |
l6. He seemed to feel very proud |
as he posed for photographers and
blushed as girls cheered and kissed
him for his bravery.
ASSASSIN TELLS HOW
HE LAID HIS PLANS
Describing his attack on the Pre-
mier, Emile Coffin said:
"When / reached Clemenceau's
house saw 1t was guarded, and so
decided to make an attempt further
on, at the corner of the Ruo Franklin,
and the Boulevard Delessert. There
| hid awaiting the automobile. When
| saw the car ] advanced and fired
sideways, the first bullet piercing two
windows, then as the car continued |
to advance, / ran after 1t and con- |
tinued firing until my revolver was
exhausted. Most Of the bullets hit |
the car. 1t seems to me that it was
the last, or last but one, which hit |
the Premier.
About seven months ago thought |
Of killing Clemenceau as the greatest
enemy of humanity. / determined /
to carry out this project few days
ago, and for this purpose went to Ruo
Franklin to see how could attack
the premier with the least pos
sible risk. I had taken care to ilnd
out his habits and identity his house.
which seemed very simple for such
a personality and very ugly"
Coffin boasts Of having read mApy
works ON social science and claims
sole responsibility for hip act.
~ wished the man who was ma
pairing for another was to disappear"
he said. Il am an integral anarchist,
friend Of man, not excepting the Ger
mans, and a friend Of humanity and
fraternity"