New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-18
MINISTER'S In PERIL.
Premiers Exposed to as Great Risk
of ASSASSINATION as Rulers.

Ministers Of state run almost as much danger
from assagsins as monarchs and presidents OF
republics. and the attempt the life Of the Span
ish Premier at Barcelona on Tuesday last serves
to recall the fact that statesmen holding high
Office, although enjoying far less protection, have
quite as much 10 fear from murderous outrages
as the rulers OF the land In fact there are often
cases where more can be accomplished by the foes
Of the government through the murder OF the
Prime Minister than by that Of his sovereign
Thus there is doubt that the entire political
course Of events in Bulgaria changed by the
shocking murder Of Stambuoff. the statesman
popuIarly known as the Bismarck of the Balkans
His widow still preserves 10 this day, under glass;
on a cushion Of black velvet. the hands which ne
raised 10 shield his head and face from the long
knives OF his assassins, and which were severed py
the latter the wrist. The murder or the Spanish
Premier and Conservative Leader CanoVas, IN
1897, exercised an important bearing upon the
events which eliminated in war with the United
States IN the following year. At least two at
tempts made during the lifetime OF oIu En-
peror William to murder Bismarck end had either
OF them proved successful the whole course OF
Germany's policy during the closing quarter o.
the nineteenth century might have been changed
Lord Frederick Cavendish. brother Of the present
Duke OF Devonshlre. was not a premier IL Is uue'
but, nevertheless Cabinet minister as lrlsl
Secretary when murdered by the so-caled IN
vincibles" in Phoenix Park, at Dublin, in lSS. and
three or four years previously the italian Premier
Carroll was stabbed and dangerously wounded by
Passanante while driving through the streets OF
Naples IN the same carriage with King Humoer'
and Queen Marguerite, whose white lace dress
was arenched with the blood OF the wounded
statesman Count La Tour the Austrian Minister
Of War was murdered at Vienna In 1873 Englano
Premier Spencer Perceval, was shot IN the ioopy
Of the House Of Commons by John Belnhshain III
1N2 the bullet piercing the heart OF the states
man. while in late years the lives of ministers OF
state in Russia have been so frequently attempted
by the Nihists that by some insurance companies
the acceptance Of Office in Russia Is regarded as
er+afling a heavy Increase in the premium. Inc
las minister TO succumb TO an assassin IN tho
sorninions Of the Gar was NJ. Sipiaguine, who was
at the head Of the Department OF the interior al
the time Of his murder, two years ago; WINE
another recent victim OF the Nihhists was NJ
Bogelepor. Minister Of Public InstFueu0h "fei'
killed.
These are far from being the only instances OF
more or less successful attempts upon the hves OF
ministers Of state but they are sufhcienI 10 snow
that Cabinet Office entails, at any rate IN inc o
World as much danger as the possession OF
throne since although the post is less exalted ana
therefore less conspicuous the minister as rue
does not enjoy the same amount OF elaborate
military and police protection as that by whlch
every ruler IS nowadays environed-
As considerable misapprehension prevails with
regard 10 the respective positions md attributes
of Admiral Alexief and General Nuropatdn IN
the Far Orient. it may be as Wen TO give mere
the exact words OF the telegram by means OIL
which Emperor Nicholas Informed Admiral AIeNleH
OF thu transfer OF Minister OF War kuropatldn to
the position OF Eeneralssimo OF the military forces
in the Far Orient. 1t runs as follows;
Taking into consideration the importance OF ne
present war the aim or WHICH Is 20 The Pacc ard
-ea1izing that you, IN your capacity Of my lieu
,e e afsbIisS vour headquarters in some central
locality. such Kharbne or any other Town INA. thSt
Sof1dreT (adioin) 70 you General Kuropatkin VINO
win command in chieI me eiT b rerSratves OF
. renersIssimo and / likewise "adjoin' 70 you
chef the naval forces and enjoy all the rights as
such have the conviction that the apPolnIes
covers and responsible TO me Tor the forces which
have cOnhded to them vii 6 70 gem enc
erai Cvicer6y) in the Far Orient
From this II viii be that while Emperor
Nicholas IS careful TO spare the feelings OF MS
v,c-rov by saving that he "adjoins" 20 him Cen
- Euronatkin and Admiral Maloaroff (since
drowned he IS at the same time thoroughly ex-
pl,c!t in determining that the two Officers IN
question should have fun and complete command
Of the land and forces, respectively. inoepeh-
dent Of the viceroy and responsible only to the
car. This is we'll for the Russians; for whereas
Great homes are placed both in Russia and abroad
in that splendid soldier. General kuropatkln rev
illusions are left with regard 20 Admiral AleAle4I
who IS largely responsible not only toF U'e re
verses which the Russians have up TIL now sus-
tanned but likewise for the circumstances which
led 10 the war-a which Kuropatkin sought by
every means IN his power 10 avert until Russia
y,ss better prepared for the ARRAY. Let me add
IN renlv to an inquiry from Baltimore that Ad-
rniral Alexfef has never been married
Plus X has sent his special blessing TO little
p-srcess ATafalea, the sixteen-month-old daughter
~ king Victor Emmanuel and OF Queen Helen
u &c The first time since Piux TX sent his blessing
70 the diving King Victor Emmanuel. grandfather OF
the rresent King, in 1873. that message OF peace
.,s sood will Of this kind has been conveyed from
the Vatican to the Quirinal. the greater portion
Of which It must be forgotten Is still subject
to the ban OF the Church
The bearer OF the message on this occasion was
not an ecclesiastic at the time Of the demise OF
the old King but picturesauely nttired contadina
or neasaut woman. in full peasant costume anu
who ever since little Princess Mafalda's birth has
teen acting as her balia, or nurse The services
Of the woman are shortly TO be dispensed With ana
anxious not 10 leave Rome and 10 return to her
village without seeing the Pope, she asked TOT
rerr,iseion TO 20 TO the Vatican. which was oh
..,-,s for her hv Queen Helen from the King who
animated that fnasmuch as most Of the ladies OF
bss court had been 20 see the Holy Father, there
was no reason why she should be debarred from
going.
The woman was received with the utmost kind
ness by Plus X who asked her many questions
about her little charge. and gave her much good
advice aboyt her duties. When she went away the
Pone exclaimed Il give my blessing. not only to
Won that You may faithfully carry out your work,
bu. also 20 your present little charge" The King.
s-a especiallv the Queen have been much gratihed
bv Tits kindly message from the Pontin. which IS
worthy OF note as indicating the Increasing friend
Illness Of the relations between the Vatican and the
ouirinal
wing George OF Greece is much disturbed by the