The Bismarck tribune., 1922-06-24
SHOT
DOWN.; ASSASSIN
MAKES ESCAPE
German Minister of Foreign
Affairs Shot From Fast
Motor Car
REICHsTAG is EXCITED
Two Socialists Charge DIR. Helf-
ferich Is Responsible ("
For Death
(By the Associated Press)
EMERCENcv I.

. y IL B
Berlin, June 24.-Following the as
sassination Of Foreign Minister
Rathenau, it was announced this
afternoon that the government
would Immediately decree the es-
tablishment of extraordinary courts,
for the trial of Nationalist pl0tters
and would proclaim q state of
emergency for Prussia. All regi-
mental reunions or militaristic dem
onstrations will be prohibited.
Berlin, June 24.-Dr. Walter Rath-
enau, German minister Of foreign af-
fairs was assassinated today.
The minister was shot and instantly
killed as he was leaving his residence
in Grunewald, suburb Of Berlin, for
the foreign office in an automobile. The
assassin escaped.
The murderer who was driving in =
motor car slowed up as he was near DR..
Rathenau and shot twice at the foreign
minister, the shots taking immediate
fatal effect. Putting on high speed the
assassin escaped.
DR.. Rathenau was guest at dinner
last night of .Alansoa T. IIought3n, the
American ambassador. On receiving
news of the assassination of the foreign
minister this morning the American en-
bassy promptly hoisted its flag to half
staff.
Official Announcement Made
Official announcement Of DR.. Rath-
enau's death was made in,the Reichstag.
No clew to the identity of the murderer
had been discovered up to noon today.
The assassination of DR.. Rathenau
followed hard upon vitrolic attack on
the foreign minister by DR.. Karl Helf-
ferich in the Reichstag yesterday,
when the Nationals leader, grilled the
government generally and Dr.. Rathenau
in particular concerning the cabinets
reparations policy and its attitude to-
wards the populations Of the Rhineland
and the Saar Valley.
Pandemonium Breaks Out
News of the assassination reached the
Reichstag at eleven o'clock just when
the commission on taxation had can
>vened. Chancellor Wirth announced
the assassination, upon which pande-
monium broke out among various party
groups.
Two socialists jumped up, shouting to
DR.. Helfferich: "You are the assassin!".
They threatened to pounce upon him
and DR.. Helffcrich hastily left the COM
mittee room. In one Of the Reichstag
lounges heated outbreak of recrimin-
alton. occurred between deputies be-
longing to the Left and party Of
representatives of the other extreme in
the chamber.
When the news was communicated to
the Reichstag itself at 1925 o'clock it
was received with deep emotion. Then
amidst turmoil the Reichstag ad-
journed.
The fatal shot struck DR.. Rathenau
in the chin, taking an upward course. A.
half dozen other bullets perforated his
back. The assailants also threw hand
grenade which exploded in the minis
ters car, injuring his legs and wreck
ing the bottom Of the car.
Ia Two in Auto
There were two>persons in the auto
mobile from which the shots that killed
DR.. Rathenau were fired. His car was
nearing his house and had reduced its
speed when the machine containing the
assassins was encountered. Both the
occupants are said to have opened fire
the floor of the car fatally wounde~,
upon the foreign minister who fell to
expiring shortly afterwards.
Large forces Of police were quickly on
the scene and q firing squad was dis
patched in the direction the murderers
we're believed to have taken.