New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-10
ATTACK ON N. COMBES.
BULLETS OR TOMATOES?
anarchists Captured at MarseilJes-
Official account.

MarseilleS, Aug. 9-AS the Premier, M
Combes, was returning this afternoon to the
Prefecture from dinner given by the Friendly
Society of Teachers. at which NJ. Pelletan, Min
lister Of Marine, and Henri Brisson. Deputy for
Marseilles, and a number of Senators and Depu-
ties were present. two pistol shots were fired at
the carriage in which he riding. The
Premier untouched. and none of those ac-
company1ng him were hurt.
The attempt upon the life of the President
OF the Ministry caused great excitement, and
the crowd pointed out to the police as the au-
thor of the attempt man dressed in fisher
mems clothes. His companion drew a knife,
but the police quickly disarmed him. The police
had much difficulty in protecting the man. who
had fired the shots from the crowd. He strug
gled desperately, but was soon overcome, hand
cuffed and taken to he Prefecture where NJ.
Combes had already arrived.
The first Interrogation Of the prisoner took
place in the presence of the Premier. The man
said his name was Sauvaire Picolo. He spoke
bad French with a strong italian accent. He
denied that he had fired the shots. but when
searched revolver found. two chambers
OF which had been freshly fired It is believed
that Picolo and his companion, who had effect
ed his escape in the confusion are both dan
gerous anarchists. The police are aware that
there are number Of these men in Marseilles.
The following version Of the attack upon
Premier Combes has been issued:
AS the Premiers carriage was passing the
corner Of the Avenue Capellette and Rue St.
Ellie five men began throwing tomatoes. Only
one Of the missiles reached the carriage, strik-
ing the cOachman in the eye. The detectives,
aided by the local police, started in pursuit of
the men, who fed. Being closely pressed and
seeing themselves about to be overtaken, the
men drew knives and revolvers and fought with
Of them. One of those arrested succeeded in
passing his revolver to an accomplice. Another
was arrested few minutes later. One of them.
named Picolo has been five times arrested. One
of the others is named Datino
Premier Combes. accompanied by the Min
lister of Marine. NJ. Pelletan. left Marseilles to-
night for Paris.
Justin Louis Emile Combes became Premier of
France and Minister of the Interior and Minister OF
Public Worship June 8, 1902, succeeding Pre-
nier NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau. He was at that time
Senator Of the department Of Charente Inferieure,
and had often been vice-president of the Senate.
leader in the movement to suppress the congrega-
tions in France and bring all the schools under the
control Of the government, movement which has
resulted in much rioting in many places and the
driving Of many OF the religious orders from the
country The Associations law under which the
movement has been carried on. has led to bitter
struggle between the government and the Clerical
party the end of which is not yet in sight and
which threatens to lead to the breaking up of the
Concordat In the last election held in France this
religious question the chief ISSUE and the gov
ernment was sustained by the country. But the
election did not the intense bitterness prevail
ing in the country the fierce indignation felt
against the government and Premier Combes, its
chief spokesman. against whom, indeed, was d.
rected most Of the anger of the Clerical party
NJ. Combes was born in Southern France, and will
be sixty-eight years old in September He received
his early instruction in the Roman Catholic semi
nary of Abb his parents intending him for the
Church, and is Of the foremost authorities in
France on all matters Of education, of which he
has made speciality in his public career. In the
ministry of Mr.. Leon Bourgeois. in 1885, he
Minister of Public Instruction. Before entering
politics he was a village physician and school
master.
When NJ Combes became Premier The Tribunes
Paris correspondent described him as follows:
In spite of hie years "Pere Combes," as he is
called at the Luxembourg Palace, is vigorous and
energetic He is a white haired wiry man. five
feet three inches in height. His bright, sparkling
ewes are half concealed by gold eyeglasses, and he
glides about at a rapid pace often with book or
portfolio under his arm, like a little white mouse