Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-15

PARIS July 15-The national fete yes
terday was marred by a dastardly attempt
the life of President Fallleres by Leon
Maille, naval reservist of Havre. who, it
is believed. is suffering from the mania of
persecution. Maille fired two shots at the
president. but did not hit him. He was at
once placed under arrest.
On account of the activity of the anti
militarists who tried to organize a dem
onstration against the army throughout
France yesterday, exceptional precautions
were taken to safeguard President Fail
Heres The attempt on his life occurred on
Avenue des Champs Elysees while the
president was returning to the palace from
Longchamps where he had reviewed the
garrison of Paris in the presence Of 25O.-
coo enthusiastic people.
Premier Clemenceau and NJ. Lanes, the
presidents secretary, were with the presi-
dent in his landau. which was escorted by
a squadron of cuirassiers. The carriage
had safely emerged from the Bots de Bou-
logne. where the antimilitarists had sta
toned themselves with the intention OF
hooting the soldiers. and was descending
the broad Champs ElyseeS amid the ac-
carnations of the c.owds thronging the
side walks who were shouting ''Vive Fall
leresr' ''Five rArmee!' when at the cor
ner of Lesueur street. Maille from the curb
in quick succession. No one was hit.
The President Calm.
President Fallieres was cool and collected
when the cortege stopped. The diplomats
who were following the presidents landau
alighted from their carriages and hurried
to the side of NJ. Fallieres. Finding that
nobody had been injured. by the presidents
orders the cortege moved on.
n,ttr fyrrn 0af
Maille who made no resistance, but the
police with difficulty prevented the irate
crowds from lynchng the prisoner until
a Gordon of reserves came up and con-
Quoted HON to the station. There Maille
refused to give any reasons for his act,
saying:
The revelations l have are so grave
and serious that l will only make them
before a magistrate for transmission to
the chief Of state. 1t is matter between
the government and me. l am the victim
of many villainieS.
Some OF the witnesses of the shooting
said that Maille fired in the air. 1t is
believed that the man participated in the
recent seamens strike. and that his mind
had been unhinged by fancied grievances.
A Revolutionist.
II is believed also that he aided in the
revolutionary agitation of the General Fed
Grafton of Labor and the anti-mlitarists.
There is no reason to suspect plot. as
Maille only arrived here from Rouen Satur-
day night.
Maille appeared before an examining
MAGISTRATE last night and the authorities
only succeeded in extracting from him a
rambling statement about family persecu-
ton directed against MIN. AZ was IN oluer
to draw public attention to his grievances.
he said, that he fired the shots. The pris-
oner terminated the examination by an
nouncing his intention to give no further
- loll hot a "a.
trate would do nothing to remedy his
wrongs.
The attempt on the life Of President
Fallieres probably will strengthen the gov
ernments intention TO put stop 10 . -,
anti-militarists' propaganda, which ALREADY
Ia demoralizing the army and becoming
menace to the republic
Thirty-nIne ringleaders were arrested yes
+arday for kissing soldiers who were return
- from the review. Other arrests were
I'D at the Place de la Concorde. where
tha league of Patriots held its annual cere-
mony. o;,,oa ,,,,.r
Gus kilograms of congratulations from inc
r,,Iars Of many countries on his lucky es-
Trouble at other Places.
Outside of Paris the anti militarist plans
for a general demonstration yesterday were
dismal failure. but collisions between the
police and workmen at Toulon ara Mont
pelier were directly due to their inspiration
At Brest the police were forced to occupy
the labor exchange in order to prevent
trouble.
AS no newspapers were published in
Paris yesterday afternoon, the attempt on
the life of President Fallieres was not gen.
orally known. and the festivities were I'M
interrupted. The theaters gave their usual
free performances, and there were concerts
In the parks and a ballon ascension at the
Tufleries Last night there was a nautical
fete on the Seine and magnificent displays
of fireworks at the Place du Trocadero and
MANY other public places. At midnight the
city was brilliantly Illuminated and street
balls again were in full swing.
Many towns in the south of France re-
fused to celebrate in accordance with a
decision not to participate in any civic
function until the grievances of the people
were retireSsed