New-York tribune., 1900-08-03
CONSPIRATORS MET HERE.
BRESCI AND HIS FELLOW PLOTTERs
HELD SECRET SESSION IN PATTERSON.
SAID TO HAVE PLANNED IN MAY THE TRIP
TO ITALY TO AssAssINATE KING HUM
BERT-PETER EsTEvE DENIES
KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLOT.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLOT.
The nest of Anarchists at Paterson, N. j., was
livened UP yesterday afternoon by the discovery
! that certain members of the italian colony were
telling detectives dangerous things. 1t Is plain
that they fear some of the Socialist party, al
though both sides maintain that there is no
anmosity between them II the detectives
working on the alleged plot against King Hum
bert ever find evidence which will warrant them
in making arrests in Paterson, they expect to
secure il from personal enemies of the leaders
of the Group OF Existence.
At an italian resort In Straight-st" Paterson
yesterday afternoon, a tall, smooth shaven mill
worker told a Tribune reporter of meeting of
the consprators which took place early In May.
He said he did not dare tell his name, but ne IN
tended to put his information before the de-
tectives in some way because he hated Peter
Esteve, the Spanish Editor Of La QUESTION:
Sociale." He said
After one of the regular meetings of the
Group of Existence held in the first week In
Nav the leaders held secret meeting. Bresci
Ouintavalli the West Hoboken barber; Graisoni
who is also known as Lana and Alphonso Blani-
diea: Esteve and Widmar the editors, and one
or two others whose names 1 do not care TO
give met and talked the trip which Bresci
QuintavaTi and the others were TO take to italy
Letters from Count Malatesta were read, also
C0nlnuniCdIOnS lOHl [AHdiCHlob SAVUpo ~ w
noa and Paris The le-ders talked over the
affair in a general way out left the details of
the plot to be arranged in Europe. The meeting
lasted until a late hour. The men scattered.
and l don't believe Quintavalli was in Paterson
again before he left America. Bresci came back
here on May 10 and drew his wages He stayed
here until some time the next day and spent
his time with Esteve. Widmar and other mem
bers of the group.
THE whole thing is in my opinion, the work
of Malatesta He has great mind and a won
derfuI influence over men. He left Paterson for
London in April. leaving Widmar and Esteve In
charge. Neither of these men is italian, but
both speak the language we'll They are good
takers ard I believe kept afre the flames of
murder which Malatesta placed in the hearts
of the men now under arrest 1 have reason
for telling you all this. hate Esteve. and
would like to see him suffer"
The foregoing statement was shown to Es-
teve and Widmar in the editorial room of La
Questione" It seemed to worry them, and they
demanded an accurate description Of the man.
After they had talked together in italian for a
few moments Esteve said
This is undoubtedly the work of enemy.
He must be a very bad man, for there is not
word of truth in what he says. He is also cow
ard or he would give his name 1 tell you
frankly that neither myself nor my friend Wild
mar knew that Bresci was going to Italy to kill
the King. 1 swear that had never even
talked of it. We were friends and talked to-
gether many times. 1t was not about deeds of
blood but of plans to spread the cause OF An
archy throughout the United States. Some one
who hates us is trying to cause our arrest by
striking behind our backs"
When Esteve was asked if he suspected any
one. he said:
"It may be that earned the enmity Of some
of the Paterson Italians by my speeches in
series of debates Anarchy versus Socialism
which were held last winter. DR.. D. Rondani,
member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
from the District of Cassato, was here for sew
era weeks. He is leader Of the Italian Social
lists, and our friends arranged for a series of
debates, which were held in hall in Straight-st
Perhaps some one became angry at what said.
I know of no personal enemy who would desire
to injure me. Ny past record is open to investi-
CATION, and l will stay here to meet all charges
that may be brought. I was born in Barcelona.
Spain, and came to Brooklyn eight years ago,
Three years ago came TO Paterson to establish
Spanish Anarchist paper and to work on La
Questone. 1 have never had trouble with any
one here.
''Enrico NGalatesta who is also accused In this
statement, is not a bloodthirsty Anarchist. He
came here in August. 1899, and went to various
parts of the country to give lectures. He
successful In organizing many Anarchistic
groups He worked hard TO put weekly
paper on it's feet, and left only last April, We
have had letters from him recently. He is work
ing in London as an electrician and is doing
well. The French and German Anarchists, few
of whom live here have always been friendly
To establish the truth Of his statements Esteve
asked the reporter to go with him to some of the
leading Socialists. They all said that they be-
lieved there had been no plot to kill King Hum
bert They explained that the Anarchists met
by themselves and left the Socialists to manage
their own meetings. Esteve said that the ma
jority Of the Paterson Italians were in favor of
Anarchy, but there seemed to be a difference Of
opinion on this point. He denied that they had
threatened any of the citizens Of Paterson who
were opposed TO them. and asserted that threat
ening letters which have appeared must have
come from crankS.
A detective who said he was working for the
Italian Consul General in this city secured in
formation at Hami! & Booths mill yesterday
which goes to show that Bresci received finan-
Cia aid from some outside source. He drew
only $135 for the ten weeks work previous to
giving up his job His average weekly earning
was $14, but he is said to have told his wife
that he made S25 a week. and semed to have
money to prove il. He drew $50 lust before
leaving. and paid $21 for his steerage ticket on
La Gascogne.
Ernesta Cravello. the girl Anarchist, has re-
fused to go 10 BROOKLYN to-day, because her
brother Antonio Craveo, stated to a Tribune
reporter Wednesday that she was not an
Anarchist, but was too young to know what
she was The girl took the statement seriously
and was easily persuaded to remain in Paterson
by her Anarchistic friends. She wrote TO her
brother bitter letter yesterday morning telling
him that she would stay in Paterson until the
trouble
They will think 1 am a coward if I run
away she said Yesterday. Il am not afraid of