Bolshevist Slaying

Into the Soviet Legation at Warsaw stamped one Josef Traikowicz of Vilna,* loudly demanding a visa for Russia.

Soviet officials denied his request. A violent altercation followed. M. Traikowicz, at length exasperated, asked to see the Charge d'Affaires. But no, that was not possible. Pulling out a sharp knife, he announced his intention of seeing the Charge, made for his door. Soon officials knocked him flat.

According to the Soviet version, M. Traikowicz then rushed to a wall and attempted to reach a gun hanging there. One Kudjen, Bolshevik, whipped out his revolver, poured five shots into M. Traikowicz, who fell dead.

Soon Polish police were on the scene, but the Soviet officials barred them from the Legation, saying it was Russian territory./- They also refused to give up Killer Kudjen.

Russo-Polish feeling has been running high since Soviet Envoy Vojkov was murdered in Warsaw (TiME, June 27), despite the fact that the incident was, officially, amicably settled between the two countries. It is suggested that the killing of the Pole Traikowicz, was to some extent due to the bad feeling over the murder of Envoy Vojkov.

*City in dispute between Poland and Lithuania (TIME, March 24, 1923).

/- All embassies and legations are customarily regarded as being situate on the territory of the nations to which they belong.