The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-06-25
SHOT ON WAY TO WORK
Carried Documents Bearing
on Matters He Was to Dis
cuss With Cabinet Officers
WAS STRONG MAN OF WAR
AS Minister of Raw Materials
He Kept Army Going, Near
ly Beating Blockade

BERLIN, June 24.---Dr. Walter
Rathenau, foreign secretary in the
German cabinet and one of the fore
most economic experts In Germany
was assassinated today.
One Assassin Throws Grenade.
Doctor Rathenau was on his way
TO his office In an automobile when
he met his death. Another car, oC-
cupied by three mon, drove up rap
idly from behind, overtaking the
foreign secretarys. machine. As It
drew abreast the men began firing,
discharging 10 shots from pistols
One of the occupants OF the murder
car threw a hand grenade.
Doctor Rathenau was instantly
killed.
The assassins escaped.
According to the first report
reaching tho police, there was only
one assassin. He was believed TO be
monarchist sympathizer who had
been led to commit murder through
long brooding over Germany's pres
ent plight.
Was Popular Official.
The report that the foreign secre-
tary had been killed was not credit
ed at first, for Doctor Rathenau was
u popular official and democratic In
his everyday moves. At IL o'clock
the foreign office issued a brief
statement saying it was true Doctor
Rathenau had been assassinated.
The death OF the foreign secretary
removes the chief link through
which am!cable dealings have been
carried on between Germany and the
allies. Doctor Rathenau, more than
a A = IL L. Il IL.
confidence OF the allied statesmen.
II was through his efforts that the
German government was able to
enter into a formal pact with France
providing for the payment of a pro-
portion OF the indemnity in goods
instead OF gold. He Is also given
credit for averting the crisis of May
81, when II appeared inevitable that
France would occupy the Ruhr
basin. Doctor Rathenau was not a
politician and entered the cabinet
only upon the urging of the promi-
nent in public life who recognized
his executive ability. Previously, he
was head of the German General
Electric, one of the greatest corpo-
ratlons In continental Europe.
Before becoming foreign secretary
on January 80, 1922, Doctor Rath-
enau had served as minister of re-
construction. Previously Doctor
Wirth (now chancellor) had held
the post OF foreign secretary.
Often Represented Germany.
Both before and after accepting
the foreign secretaryship, Doctor
Rathenau represented Germany in
numerous conferences with the al
lies, Among his most prominent
achievements during his incumbency
as minister OF reconstruction was
the agreement he negotiated with
Louis Loucheur. French minister OF
liberated regions, at Wiesbaden last
October.
Doctor Rathenau was a strong
supporter of Chancellor Wirth's )
policy OF fulfnlment by which he
hoped to placate the allies and
eventually win a tightening OF the
reparations burden. His amicible
dealings with the French resulted in
an attack on his policy In the reich
stag, but he successfully weathered
the storm.
Knew He Was Doomed.
Chancellor Wirth revealed Doctor
Rathenau knew his life was men
aced..
"rhe foreign secretary was warned
weeks ago" said his chancellor. II
believe this outrage was due TO the
INSCRIPTIONS propaganda OF re-
dictionaries and also to Frances
policy OF hatred and suppression,
which is driving the Germans TO
desperation. expect my turn will
come, too"
Doctor Rathenau whs to have at
tended a cabinet meeting and was
carrying documents tearing upon
The issues, when he met his death,
CONTINUED ON PAGE FOURTEEN