Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-04
THE sHAK's AssAlLANT
Identified as Francois Saison. a Frenchman
and Dangerous Anarchist.

Paris Aug AT the meeting of the
cabinet. this morning, it was announced
that the would-be assassin of Musaffer
Ed Din. Sha of Persia, had given his
name as Salson. A man of this name
who has been regarded and watched as
an Anarchist disappeared from Paris,
in 1895 and had not since been To-
Gated.
Salson was more communicative to-
day, and when an effort was made to
interrogate him he spoke freely of yes
terdays attempt and ventilated his
Anarchistic ideas. but when asked IL
he acted as the instrument of others he
declined to answer saying, however.
that had he killed the Shah and escap-
ed he would have killed the Car.
For month before the attempted
homicide. Salson has been living at a
small hotel He was there regarded as
a model boardcr. He was very regular
i'm his habits but was taciturn and had
few companions. He never talked pol
itics. During the last few days he was
especially rcticent. 1t is believed he
purchased the revolver three days ago.
Further inquiries at the working
mems hotel where Salson lived brought
to light the fact that he had been
working as day laborer until recently,
when his work was finished. He was
then unable to find now employment
and became more uncommunicative
even than formerly, though still keep
ing regular hours. The last few days
the question of existence was diff
cult one for him. What his punish
ment will be is a matter of doubt
Probably it will be a life sentence at
hard labor, though il is possible he
will be condemned to the guillotine
The discovery of Salson's identity
was made by means of the Bortillon
system. his measurements agreeing
with n card at police headquarters.
When shown the card and photograph
the criminal said: Yes. I am Salson'
His full name is Francois Salson. He
is Frenchman and was born in 1876.
He was regarded as a dangerous Anar-
chist and. in October. 1898, was con-
demned to three months imprison-
ment for preaching anarchy. In June,
1899 he was condemned to eight
months Imprisonment for a like Of
fence.
Shah's life the curious crowd which
surrounded the Palace of Sovercigns. to-
day, was prevented from approaching
the palace when the Shah started for
Nincennes, where a military review
was held in his honor. An escort Of
Dragons surrounded the royal car
riage
The Shah seemed the least concerned
Of all over the effort to take his life
and he has not curtailed the program
he had in view
Mira Mezam De Gaffary. Persian
minister of public works. gives in an
interview the personal impression of
the Shah on the outrage committed
against His Majesty. Like all Muham-
medans said the minister, the Shah is
a fatalst: hence the remarkable cool
ness with which he treated the whole
affair. He is simply astonishcd. IF
the assassin has not succeeded in kill
ing me-" said the Shah, lit is that my
hour has not yet come. God is great"
To another parsonage the Shah said:
Why do criminals trouble me? |
am a traveller and entirely irresponsi
BILE for the politics of the state through
which | pass" After a moments re-
Election he added: This. undoubtedly.
is kind of plot against chiefs of state.
After the assassination of the King of
Italy they threaten the Kaiser and
then attempted to kill me. However. I
know that large majority of the
French people love me. / had proof of
their affection at CentreXville, as well
as at Paris: and only just now the
crowd would have torn my aggressor
to pieces without the intervention of
the police
The Shah proceeded to praise the
Paris police. on receipt Of a photo
graph Of his assailant, His Majesty
looked at it for a long time murmur-
ing, why me. why me?' AT the same
Time struggling his shoulders.
The letter received by the Shah a
short time before the attempt to assas-
;inate him was made was as follows:
Il think TT to warn you that an at
empt will be made against your life
Turing your stay in Paris l am a
member of an Anarchist association
meeting at Piazza hi Naples, which |
nave decided upon your death If I |
warn you it is because feelings of hui |
nanity get the better of my desire for |
'engeance on sovereigns and poten- |
ates.
Il con1ide this letter to one of my |
riends who leaves for Paris and who. |
n his arrival. will Immediately post it. |
add, in conclusion, that he who is |
hosen to kill you is friend of him |
Vho killed the King of Italy"
The Echo De Paris says that SaIson.
Though condemned to eight months /
last year, never went to
'rison. The police knew his address
nd he never hid himself The paper
avs: ITO what powerful protection
id this Anarchist owe such a fayor?"
A GIGANTIC PLOT