Evening star., 1926-04-07
Wrath of Premier's Followers
Vented in Wrecking of 0p-
position Newspaper Plant
and in Demonstrations.
ASSASSIN, so YEARS OLD,
is RESCUED FROM CROWD
Attempt on Life of Leader Creates
Sensation Throughout Italy.
Gun Fired Point Blank as Fascist
Chief Emerges From World Con-
gress Of Surgeons.

dispatch from Rome says the at
tempt upon Musso1inis life was
followed by demonstrations. in
one of which the printing plant of
II Monde, anti-Fascist newspaper.
was DESTROYED.
Py the Associated Press.
ROME. April An attempt was
made to assassinatc Premier Musso-
lini this morning. A woman fired a
revolver point-blank at him and shot
him through the nose.
The woman gave her name TO the
police as Violet Albina Gibson, nee
Dalkey. She is so years old, and a
British subject
The shooting occurred at about
lis am. while the dictator was
leaving the session of the Congress
Of international Surgery in the Place
di Capitole to enter his automobile
A great crowd was around the en-
trance, cheering the premier, when
the woman pressed to the front. and,
pointing a revolver directly at him,
pulled the trigger. The woman was
rescued from the crowd with great
difficulty and was rushed to the jail
where woman prisoners are confined.
Meanwhile Mussolini, submitting
o medical attention. maintained
great composure He ordered that
immediate dispositions be taken to
preserve order and that no retribu-
tions be taken.
DR.. Giuseppe Bastianelii, one of the
best known medical specialists in
Italy, attended the premier and later
issued bulletin, saying:
"A wound due to gunshot perfo
rated the nostrils. but it is not Sc.
rious.''
Despite the attempt on his life. Pre-
mier Mussolini went this afternoon to
the Palais Littoric to preside at the
ceremony of the presentation of the
provincial secretaries to the new di
rectorate of the Fascist party.
The details of the attempt on the
premier as given out by the semi.
official agency follow:
After the Inauguration of the Inter.
national Congress of Surgery the pre-
n1ier came out of the capital accom-.
them the famous Italian surgeon.
Giuseppe Bastianelli, and other mem
bers of the congress.
Pressed Gun Against Face.
The crowd acclaimed the premier
and group Of foreign students sang
the Fascist hymn. Mussolini re-
sponded by smiling and saluting with
his hand. He walked toward the
II u L. ~ h l. l.
mobile. AS he was crossing the
square. surrounded by crowds. a
woman Of about So dressed in a dark
gown, drew A revolver. Stretching
out both arms she pressed the muzZle
against Mussolini's face and fired.
wounding the lower part Of his nose.
The police prefect and captain Of
Caribinieri and policeman seized the
woman just AS she was about to fire
again, and took her out Of the crowd.
which threatened her.
Mussolini clapped his hand to his
nose and drew il away covered with
blood. Dr. Bastianelli Immediately
placed his handkerchief over the
wound. holding 1t in such a way as
to prevent a hemorrhage.
Mussolini and his encourage re-
turned TO the Vestihule OF the capitol,
where the surgeons dressed his wound
The premier lost none Of his calm
and treasured the notables who quick
~ surrounded him. He also gave
orders that reprisals Of any character
were TO he prevented.
Bans All Disturbances.
After having his wound dressed. he
was escorted to his automobile, ac-
compa MED by doctors, Undersecretary
of State Grandi and other notables.
and was driven to his residence. where
the members OF the government inn
mediately gathered.
Here the premier repeated to the
minister of the interior. Luigi FEEDER
zoni, his categorical instructions to
prevent all disturbances of the public
order.
Among the visitors to Mussolini's
residence was the Duke d'Aosta
cousin Of the King. who expressed his
deep Indignation over the attack.
Mussolini telegraphed the King and
informed hlm Of the affair. but rea s.
sured him regarding his condition.
At about noon the premier received
the advocate general and an inves-
tigating judge, who asked him many
questions in connection with the
shooting.
A great crowd gathered before Mus
solini's residence after news of the
attempt became known. Two registers
in the entry were soon filled with sig
natures of callers. including the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps.
The entire city has been dressed
with fiags.
News, of the attempt created SEN
sation not only in Rome. but in the
other cities throughout the country
where il was made known.
The semi.official Stefani Agency
says the immediate reaction was the
organization of manifestations of 10y
atty to the Fascist chief
Opposition Long Active.
While Mussolini and his Fascist
regime have Arm grip on all Italy.