Attempted Murder

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 277, 15 April 1913, Page 5

Attempted Murder

THE KING OF SPAIN FIRED ON.

ESCAPED UNINJURED.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Madrid, April 13.

While King Alfonso was returning from a review and was passing the Bank of Spain, three shots were fired, which struck his horse in the chest. The escort quickly formed a circle round the King, who escaped unhurt. His assailant, Rapael Alegre, is a Catalonian, aged 25. Be lias been arrested. THE KING'S COOLSCE3S. A POPULAR ORATION. Received 14, 5.5 p.m. •Madrid, April 1,1

Jying Alfonso had presented the colors to the recruits, and was returning.at a walking pace. Alegie, quitting the front of the crowd, darted forward, seized the bridle-of the King's horse, and nourished a Browning pistol. King Alfonso, withhis usual admirable coolness, realising i the position, with a sudden pull on the 'bridle, raised his horse at the moment that Alegre fired, and, thanks to'his won-; dcrful horsemanship, only the horse's, chest was Kit. A policeman seized Alegre and threw Kim, deflecting two other •shots.

A dozen peojlle were injured in the ensuing stampede. The King received an enthusiastic papular ovation.

A SENSATIONAL SCENE,

DETAILS 'OF THE ATTACK.

THE KING'S CALMNESS,

IMMENSE OVATIONS,

' Madrid) April 14.

Persistent rumors that for days past that an atfempt on King Alfonso's life luive been planned for Sunday were officially discredited. They were, attributed to a desire to deprive the ceremony of Taking the ! oath of its customary splendor and bi'illiancv.

The Queen and the Princess- of Battenburg witnessed the ceremony. They followed the Kingiin an > open carriage. The Queen heard the shots, and guessed what was happening. She was terrified until the King's aide-de-camp arrived and relassured 'her.

Alegre sustained a gash on his forehead and nose from a policeman's sabre. There was a terrific struggle before lie ■was mastered.

The crowd flhouUipved-high the policeman who arrested liim. The police ;had; difficulty in protecting Alegre from the ■crowd'-s fury. King Alfonso,-seeing'his assailant overpowered, rose in the -stirrups and saluted the crowd in military fashion, loudly : ■shouting "Viva EspanaT" The cry met "with an enthusiastic response. The King then dismounted smiling, and not betraying the least emotion. Replying to the eager questions of his entourage, he exclaimed, "Gentlemen, it; i - nothing, then lightly .vaulted from lliis horse and proceeded to the .palace.; There was a renewed «outbui'st of < cheering on his reaching the palace,' where he related the Incident in jovial' terms to the Queen. Ten minutes later the great Plaza: V,carinas was crowded 3>y all classes. The . King had an indescribable ovation when fee appeared off the telceny., which was. renewed when he brought the Queen to : t 1 e balcony, and was continued long after tliev retired. f

Alcgre is a native of Barcelona. He was expelled from France mx weeks ago as an anarchist, and obtained work in Madrid as a carpenter. He wished to avenge Ferrer. Documents were found in his domicile showing that the outrage was the result of an organised plot. Numerous arrests have been made.

Alegre informed the Magistrate that on seeing the King he was seized with an. irresistible impulse to use bis revol-

An unarmed French professor standing by, also a Spaniard and Alegre's mistress, have been arrested. The professor protests his innocence.