The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-31
BUMBsRT's UNT1MELY DEATH
The Most Popular Sovereign of Con-
tinentaI Europe.

LONDON. July 30.-It was not until near
IL noon today that the news OF the assas-
sination of King Humbert become gen.
orally known here or even in Italy itself
Then it was accompanied by the announce
.nent of other news which made the even
ing papers record the greatest series of
important events ever simultaneously
chronicled in London. So it happened that
the murder of the King was dwarfed on
the bulletin boards by the capture of the
BOer army, and both in turn were eclipsed
by the first declaration believed here to be
trustworthy that many of the beleaguered
foreigners in Pekin still survive the at
tacks of the barbarians.
Truly, the European appetite for start
ling intelligence was surfeited today If
never before. The terrible fate OF King
Humbert, though it may not have startled
the world, and made it numb with horror,
as it would undoubtedly have done had the
assassination occurred in peaceful times.
none the less angered and exasperated all
countries and all classes in Europe.
1t is no exaggeration to say that King
Iumbert was personally the most popular
of the sovereigns of Continental Europe.
He had rcne of the pride or arrogance OF
kings, and not only his own subjects, but
Europeans generally esteemed him as
humane and held him in the friendliest re-
gard. Hence the bitterness of the univer-
sal execration of the causeless crime which
removes him.
1t needs no explanation to make it clear
that the crime will be without result SO
far as any political effect is concerned in
Italy or elsewhere. 1t will strengthen
monarchical institutions in Italy and lessen
instead Of increase the socialistic dan
gers that have disturbed that unhappy
coubtry during the past few years.
The Prince of Naples. now King Victor
Emmanuel III, scarcely commands the same
degree of affection that his father enjoyed.
This is merely because he has not had the
opportunity to win it. and the circum-
stances under which he succeeds to the
throne will bring him most loyal support
from all classes.
There is no confirmation Of the report
that the plot which resulted in the death
of King Humbert included the murder OF
IOuT CIONutu uedus lueTe lS SOIle uliSdSl-
ness in Paris and Berlin especially. but the
Anarchists haYe. not yet had the courage
to strike twice in succession It appears
rather to be their policy to seek one royal
victim each summer. in order TO crafty
their diabolical vanity.
One feature OF the outrage causes some
apprehension in England. This country has
been immune heretofore, because it is the
only European refuge Of Anarchists, and
they are quite shrewd enough not to for
felt their asylum by attacking the British
rulers. There are some, however. who
fear that 1t may now be necessary for the
members OF the British royal family to
curtail their freedom of movement on ac-
count of danger from Anarchists. This would
be particularly irksome and distasteful to
the Prince Of Wales, who today went open
ly to the Italian Embassy to express his
sympathy as soon as he heard of the death
OF the King.
All the evidence now at hand tends to
prove that the plot for the murder of King