Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22
ASYLUM FOR EX|LES
Switzerland the Refuge of the
Oppressed.
H0TBED OF CONSPIRACIES
Zurich and Geneva Formerly Filled
With Anarchists.
GOVERNMENT Is STRICTER NOW
Home Of Many International socie-
ties-Berne an Ancient City
Some Homes Centuries Old.
By WILLIAM e. CURTIS.


Special Correspondents Of The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
BERNIE, August ~. 1905.
Switzerland was formerly q hotbed Of
political conspiracy. aimed at all the
crowns in Europe, and the favorite resi-
dence Of men who were wanted" for po-
lttical reasons. It is still an asylum for
exiles and for refugees from political op-
preston from all parts Of tho world, and
they are permitted to come and 90 and
reside within the limits Of the federation
as long az they behave themselves. but
since the assassination OF the Empress OF
Austria, at Geneva in 1899. the lines have
been drawn quite closely. and fugitives
who come here are not allowed to conspire
or carry on propagandas or do anything
else to injure friendly government SO
far as such things can be prevented.
Formerly Zurich and Geneva were filled
with anarchists and were hotbeds Of the
rankest sort Of political doctrines. Twenty
years ago when was sent over here to try
and ind whether there was any connection
between the group Of anarchists in Chicago
and the European organizations I came
straight to Geneva and presented my let
tiers Of Introduction to Prince Kropotkin,
were wild-eyed lunatics without either con-
science or reasoning powers. In those days
each Swiss canton was allowed to decide
for itself how many political exiles and
anarchists 1t could afford to shelter, but
that question has since been taken under
the Jurisdiction of the federal government,
which employs corps of secret police to
look after political refugees and see that
they do not trespass upon the hospitality
OF this land OF liberty. Russia, Germany,
France, Austria and Italy also have de-
tectives in Zurich and Geneva for the pur-
pose Of keeping their eyes on people known
tn, ho 10 n orr q 1aqS f W
Of these detectives in Geneva and probably
AS many more in Zurich who constantly
have their spies among the exiled colonists
to keep them informed Of everything that
may interest them.
Much Conspiracy Afoot.
There is no doubt a great deal Of con-
spiracy going on, notwithstanding the Wig
ilance Of the detectives. The headquarters
of the young Turkey" party and other
kindred organizations which are trying to
overthrow the sultan are in Geneva; the
social revolutionists of Russia had their
center at Zurich until last fall, although
Prince Kropotkin was expelled from Swift
erland and went to London to-iive. Peter
Karageorgevitch, the present King OF Ser
via, was supposed to be an innocent natu-
ralist and student, who had chosen Geneva
as a place Of residece because Of libraries
and learned societies, and was not suspect
ed Of completely In the plot that placed
him on the throne at Belgrade through the
assassination of King Alexander and
Queen Draga. But veteran newspaper
man Of Geneva, who is on familiar terms
with the telegraph Office tells me that
few days previous to the ASSASSINATION
Peter sent more than 1900 francs worth
of kilograms to Servia and received almost
any one in his mother country by tele-
graph since he came to Geneva to live sew
eral years before, and his first dispatch
was sent on the fifth day before the assas-
sination.
Most of the exiles are registered as stu
dents and attend lectures at the UNIVERSE
ties of Zurich and Geneva as a cover for
their operations or as method OF kliilng
time There are said to be more than LOO
Russians in the two institutions. 70 at &C.
neva and 500 at Zurich. and most Of them
are Jews.
After the assassination Of President Nc
Kinley an attempt was made to arrange
some agreement among the nations of the
world to stamp out the anarchists. There
was a great deal Of correspondence be-
tween the diplomatists and there seemed
to be a general disposition to make uni
form treaty to expel and to refuse admls-
sion to all professional anarchists, nlhl-
lists and others who advocate assassina,
ton as a political measure and are opposed
to law and order. The Congress OF the
United States passed law on the subject
and stifrened the regulations Of the immi-
grafton bureau, but nothing further was
done about the matter.
some h0CSuL observation-disclosures
There have been many assassinations
outside Of Russia during recent years. Here
are some Of them:
King Humbert Of Italy was killed July
o. 1900 by an anarchist named Bresci.
Several previous attempts on his life were
unsuccessful Victor Emmanuel, his father,
narrowly escaped death on several occa-
sions from the hands of assassins.
Three attempts have been made on the
life Of the Emperor Of Germany, and his
grandfather, William l, mad narrow es-
capes in 1873 and 1878
In France Napoleon III was frequently
shot at, but died in bed Sadi Carnot, pres
ident Of the French republic, was stabbed
to death at Lyons June "a, 1884; bomb
was thrown at Felix Faure, his successor.
in June, 1897, and a year or SO ago two at
tempts were made to assassinate the
French president and the young King OF
Spain in Paris.
Queen Isabella Of Spain and King AL
phonso XIII were attacked several times
and Alphonso XIII has had number of
miraculous escapes from ASSASSINATION IN
Barcelona, In Madrid, in Paris and recently
on his wedding day at his own capital.
The Queen Of Greece was shot by a stu
dent in 1862.
Alexander II Of Russia was assassinated
March 10, 1884, at st. Petersburg after sew
eral unsuccessful attempts were made to
take his life Alexander III. his successor,
was repeatedly attacked.
The Empress OF Austria was STABBED TO
death by crazy Italian named Luccheni
at Geneva September TO- 1893 He had no
grievance against her and his only excuse
was that he had sworn to kill everybody
who wore a crown.
Three attempts were made to assassinate
the late Queen Victoria, and two attacks
were made upon the life of King Edward
while he was Prince Of Wales.
In the United States, the land of liberty,
the ideal republic, more rulers have been
killed by assassns in modern times than In
any other country, and we at least ought
to take stricter measures to prevent the
landing of professional assassins and
avowed anarchists upon our shores. Switz-
erland has become very strict on this
point, and ever since the assassination of
the empress whenever the political police
discover a man talking anarchy they
promptly ship him out Of the country. We
might do the same.
International Societies.
Berne is the headquarters of a number of
institutions founded upon COM
mon interests for mutual convenience. The
Red Cross Society of the World has its
headquarters at Geneva, where it was
founded in 1864. Every civilized govern
ment is represented and Its object is to re-
lieve suffering and provide regulations for
of tn