Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-14
Anarchist Fires Three
Shots at Monarch, But
Misses Him.
ONE OF ESCORTS HURT
His Majesty and Queen En-
Route to Attend Memorial.
Mass for Late Ruler.

Rome, March 14.-An attempt to
assassinate King Victor Emanuel
was made by an anarchist this morn
ing. The would-be assassin fired
several revolver shots at the king
from a short distance, but his majes-
ty was not hit. One of the king s
bodyguards was dangerously wound
ed.
ON WAY TO SERVICE
The attempt on the kings life was
made as he with the queen was going
TO the Pantheon to take part in the
annual memorial service in honor of
the late King Humbert, who died the
victim of an assassin's blow July 20,
1900. The procession was passing
along the Via Lata when three shots
rang out from among a crowd. Sol
diers following the carriage immedi-
ately dashed forward and as they
did so their commander fell from his
horse. The wounded officer was
moved to one side by some of his
men while the others dashed up to
the royal carriage. where they found
the king and queen sitting calmly and
unmoved.
NEAR To LYNCHING.
Meanwhile the crowd secured the
man who fired the shots in an at
tempt to lynch him. He was so bad
ly handled he was scarcely able to
answer questions when handed over
20 the police. The royal procession
proceeded toward the Pantheon.
where a mass for King Humbert was
completed without further incident,
At the conclusion of the service the
king and queen returned to the
quirinal along the same route.
AT SIDE OF INJURED MAN.
On arrival at the palace the king
learned for the first time the COM
mander of the escort, Major Lang,
was seriously wounded. His majesty
Immediately started for the hospital
where the major was lying. He trav-
eled in an open automobile. and
showed no signs of having passed
through an ordeal.
At the police station the would-be
assassin gave his name as Antonio
Dalba. aged 21. He said he was q
stonemason.
As A SOCIAL PROTEST.
He described himself as an "indi-
vidual anarchist" and said he had
made the attempt on the kings life
as a protest against the organization
OF society. lie said he fired three
shots at the king. None of the bull
lets. however. reached its mark.
All circumstances lead TO the be-
lief that the assailant was not con-
cerned in any plot Of organization
but his deed was the outcome of his
own individual alteration.
INCREASES POPULARITY.
In all quarters OF Rome demon
strations were prepared TO protest
against the outrage. whose effect ha.
been TO increase the kings popular
ity among all classes. People who
were present at the Pantheon say
despite his narrow escape the kinl
went through the service without
tremor. the queen likewise showing
no signs OF emotion.
When the king and queen left tn,
Pantheon in q closed carriage new
of the attack had spread. and I'm
menss crowds gathered in the grea
open space in front. The kings ap
pearance gave the signal for an over
whelming outburst OF cheering from
the crowd, and the excited people al
most had reached a frenzy by tn
time their majesties had attained tn
Corso, near the spot where the al
tempt had occurred a snort time be
fore.
STREETS THRoNGED.
Throughout the return journe
people along the streets and standin
handkerchiefs and cried enthusiast
cally, Long live the king
The queen paled as the shots wer
fred and threw her arms around tn
king as though 10 protect him. Tn
king said, "It's nothing" and, seen
ingly treasured, the queen sat bac
as the procession proceeded 70 th
Pantheon.
SON TELLS MOTHER.
A most touching scene occurred b,
tween the king and his mother, tn
powager Queen Margarita. She va
waiting at the Pantheon for the
majesties. When the king and quee
came they gave no hint of what ha
occurred. All assisted at mass. an
when IL was over the king himse
announced to his mother an atteml
had been made on his life. Quee
Margarita appeared almost stunne
She stood still and looked at the kir
20 make sure he was unarmed. The