The San Francisco call., 1908-09-29

The plot was arranged in England by
Orsini. He took into his confidence Dc
Rudio Gomez and Pieri. all Italian
exiles. The conspirators went to Paris
and there learned that Napoleon and
Empress Eugene would attend the
opera on the night of January Ia.
When the imperial carriage drove UP
three bombs were thrown. One eX-
ploded among the Gordon of police and
the crowd and another demoli shed the
carriage, killed horses and attendants
but by a miraclel did little harm to Ma
poleon and Eugene. They were
scratched by splinters and the empress
silk dress was splashed with blood.
Pieri and Orsini were executed and
Gomez was sentenced TO life imprison-
ment. Crispi was arrested that night
with several other patriots, but released
the next DAY. De Rudio still lives TO
tell the story and Eugene, an exile
from her own France. may read.
As he dwelt again upon the facts
the old fire surged through De Rudio S
veins and he rose to his feet time and
again. carried away by the reviving
memories His eyes flashed and he beat
for emphasis upon his chair until a
weakening Heart bade him be calm.
"VASTIER THAN HIsToRIEsv
The conspiracy was Vaster than the
-AA-ANi ANc tttdAt. DeRdn De 1kU0lO.
Many other persons besides those
usually mentioned were involved. Our
hrst project was TO procure by a GER
tain means at our disposal an invitation
10 2 court ball, and TO rid the world
by noiseless weapons between one
dance and the next. We later aban-
dOned this idea and devised the well
known plan The bombs used in the
attempt We're cast not in London. as is
generally believed. but in the Taylor
foundry in Birmingham
Among the thoroughly agreed on
terms OF the conspiracy was this:
Orsini should know all the conspirators,
but the cOnspirators must absolutely
not know one another. Orsini how
ever, broke this rule and presented me
freely TO Gomez and Pieri.
Half an hour before the attempt and
just as orsini and I were turning the
corner into the Rue LepelIetier, a man
with long mustaches came close to us
and said, in a low voice, TO Orsini.
How goes the business? Is all well?'
ALPS WELL Orsini replied, in the same
low whisper. The man with the long
mustaches grasped his hand and passed
on. That's Francesca Crispi,' [ re-
marked to Orsini- He replied, with a
slight tinge OF irritation. I didn't sup
pose you knew him"
This is the evidence which De Rudio
submits to show that Crispi was con-
nected with the assassination. He
shows further that although il has
been shown who hurled the two bombs,
1t has never been established who
threw the third. He leaves the infer
ence that il was Crispi.
Twelve bombs We're prepared" con-
tinued De RudiO. only three were
thrown We had learned that the en-
peror and empress would drive to the
opera at about s o'clock. Orsini and 1
had gone to little wine shop near by
and had some refreshment. Presently
we heard the emperor's carriage ap-
preaching, surrounded by number of
guards and outriders.
STORY OF THE CRIME
we took our place near the front
Of the opera house. The police and
sOldiery formed about the carriage and
the crowd pressed close in. AS the car
riage drew up l could observe Gomez
across the street. Then l saw his arm
swing back, and I whispered TO Orsini
TO crouch. as Gomez was about to
throw his bomb. Just as 1 whispered
10 Orsini came the explosion. Gomez
had aimed badly and killed a number
of soldiers who formed a Gordon along
the sidewalk in front of the spot where
Orsinf and / We're standing
L was not hurt, but Orsini was
wounded over the right eye by a flying
splinter AS the blood in flowing
blinded him. he. to wipe it off. laid his
bomb. which was wrapped in a hand
kerchief. on the ground. 1t was found
there that very evening by a passerby,
who, kicking it, almost exploded il. 1t
was given TO the authorities.
In the midst of the confusion pro-
duced by Gomez bomb. 1 passed over
the dead bodies, amid the distracted
Gordon. The carriage door had been
opened and the emperor and empress
We're alighting. I approached as close
as possible to the vehicle, and taking
the bomb from my pocket, threw it at
their feet II blew the carriage to
pieces and killed the horses and a cham
berlain- The emperor was unhurt, but
the empress was slightly wounded.
They passed at once into the opera
house, and. am told, sat through the
performance.
"Pieri, arrested before the attempt.
was during those terrible moments
safe-in prison. Who, therefore. hurled
the third bomb? ] leave this question
TO the researches of timid historians.
In more than one volume I have
read that the court of assize of the
Seine condemned Orsini and Pieri to
death, De Rudio TO perpetual transpor-
tation. Gomez to the galleys for life.
ne truth IS tnat the tribunal included
me among those condemned to the gull
lotine- ] owe my life to my wife Eliza
Booth, an English woman. still nv COM
panion, who succeeded in interesting
the London Times in my fate. The in
nuence of that powerful journal induced
Queen Victoria TO bestir herself to Sc
cure my reprieve from Empress Eu-
genie.
WOULD DIE FOR OTHERS
Il remember at the trial the nohla
conduct Of Orsini. It was his wish that
ne should die and we go free. He tried
10 assume the full responsibility. urging
lhat we save ourselves. His courage
saved Gomez Orsini told the court tbat
Gomez had been his valet and had sim
ply carried out his orders. as was his
custom as faithful servant. C;omey,
sentence was made Imprisonment for
life. AoI
Pieri and I were condemned NTH
Cfslhi 10 die. I recall that Crsipi
had become the focus of the ewes ~
an Europe His patriotism and his
constant declaration of his Willingness
70 bear the burdens Of US ali gained fo-
hlIa The respect and honor of the world
IL was arranged that Pieri was 10
pe executed first; ] second, and Orsinj.
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