The evening times., 1900-07-30
THE LATE KING HUMBERT.
sketch of the Life of the Slain ItaI-
feH Ruler.

King Humbert was the eldest son OF
King Victor E-rnanual II ard of Adelaide,
Arehduehess OF Turin. He was born in
Turin on March IA, 1874, and was chris
tened Renter Charles Emmanuel Jean Ma
rie Ferdinand Eugene. On ascending the
throne, in 1878, he took the title Of Hum
bert ], in Italian Umberto.
Prince Humbert was early initiated in
political and military affairs by his father,
with whom he was associated in the war
for Italian independence although he was
too young to take an active part in this
Important struggle. In the movement for
the unifcation of Italy, which succeeded
the events of 1889. he had a more impor-
tant share, and in especial he was active
in the work of reorganizing the ancient
Kingdom of the two SiciIies. He visited
Naples and Palermo in July, 1852, ana
shared with GaribaIdi the enthusiasm OF
the pspulace.
When the war between Prussia and Aus
tria was threatened. he was sent to Paris
to discover the views of the French Gov
ernment in regard TO the proposed alliance
between Italy and Prussia. When hostili-
ties began Prince Humbert Mastered 10 en-
ter active service. and was placed in COM
mand OF division under General Cialci'i,
with the title OF lieutenant general He
was present at the disastrous battle Of Gus
tozza, On June %. 1866, where he is re-
Iorted 10 have performed prodigies OF va
lor
Prince Hambert was married to his cous-
il german, the Princess Marguerite Marie
Therese Jeanne Of Savoy, daughter Of his
uncle, the Duke Ferdinand OF Genoa, his
fathers brother. on April %, 1858. After
the occupation Of Rome by the Italian
troops in 1870, Prince HumbeTt and the
Princess Marguerite went to live in that
city.
o. the death Of King Victor Emmanuel
ii. u January 8. 1873, King Humbert sue
ceeded his father. The first attempt to as
sassinate him was made on November II
of the same year. As he was entering Ma
pies Giovanni Passananto approached his
carriage and attempted TO stab him with a
poinnarf. The King only received slight
scratch. but the Prime Minister. S.gECE
Carroll. who was with him, was bzd Y
wounded IN the thigh The assassin was
condemned 10 die. but the King commute
the sentence TO penal seTvitude for life
The second attempt 10 end the life Of
King HumbeTt Was made on April p, 1891.
He was driving to The CapaLele race
course. when a workman struck at him
with dagger. The blow was turned aside,
and the man was caught and condemned 10
life imprisonment.
King Humbert and Queen Marguerite
celebrated their silver wedding il Rome IN
April, 1893. Their only sOn, born in Ma
pies on November Il. 1859. Victor Emman-
uel Ferdinand Mary J.nnarius. who to-e
the title OF Prince &C Naples. was married
in October. 1896, to the Princess Helen, OF
Montenegro
King Humbert was man OF mild nan
ners and kindly disposition, and vas be-
loved personally and respected by the Ital-
ians. He had been il feeble heath. il IS
said Tor years. He was tail and Of s,rik-
ing apI 2araLce, with fierce srow-Wh.t-
mustsche and white hair, which he wore IN
pompadour Italian fashion.
The reign OF King Humbert was marked
by number Of happenings which had a
htaring on the deyelopm nj Of the king
dom and its foreign relau1ns-
ally. in the early years Of King Hum
bert's sway. was desirOus Of taking az act
i've part in European affairs. Through its
premiers the country declared that il
wished to live in peace with neighboring
nations On condition OF being one OF the
great powers. Whether on account Of
Jealousy OF defiance Of France. or whether
10 obtain for Itself the strongest support,
lAAC -laAldA NONtl nLLEuL WIS DEOlSnL INTO
close relations with Germany and Austria
and with England taking its cue for CO.
lCnial expansion from the latter. especially
under CrisPfs ministry. The Triple ALI
ance formed by Germany and Austria
against France was completed in 1881 by
the accession OF italy in which she under
took TO keep up vast standing army and
a great navy far beyond the cCuntry-s
means draining its treasury and oppress-
ing the people by onerous and heavy taxes
In January, 1855. Italy undertook 10 CO.
operate with the English against the M1h
d. the Italian troops occupying Massawah
on the Red Sea The Government having
secured tEis unimpOTt8nJ territory. declar-
ed its intention of following in the steps
Of the great powers IN cClsQiaI expansion.
In spite OF the great financial burdens i'm
posed by this expedition and the sacrifices
made Of men ard money. reverses in 1887
and in 1883, when the Italian troops were
defeated by the Aahdi, provoked opposition
20 the colonial policy a. home. However.
the italian possessions on the Red Sea
were constituted the Erythrean Colony by
q royal decree promulgated in 1890.
ltaly's misfOrsInas were commercial az
this time rather than otherwise. Her ex-
ports were reduced N 1855 by the Gov
erHment's refusal 70 renew the commercial
treaty with France which had gone into
effect In 1881. Between 1880 and 1854 lie
state Of Italy's finances improved and
March /, 1893. the ministry was able % re-
sumo specie payments Since then great
military and naval expenses have caused
frequent deficits il the budget. and the
difficulty Of meeting them has been one OF
the chief difficulties of Italian statesmen
and the cause Of many changes of minis
try.
The relations between the Italian Gov
eTnmenT and the Vatican were a constant
cause Of unrest during King Humbert's
reign. The Government was always trying
to respect is guarantees to the Pope while
the latter has been protesting that ne
situation forced upon him at Rome 10
longer offered him security
King Humbert's relations with the heads
Of foreign states was friendly. In 1884 his
personal courage was shown by a, visit to
the plague hospitals Of Naples at the time
of the cholera epidemic. His conduct in
speaking TO the patients increased his pop
ularity.