Evening star., 1912-11-12
BULLETS HIT STATESMAN
BEHIND THE RIGHT EAR
Murderer Is Captured, But at Once
Shoots Himself.
SUPPOSED ACT OF ANARCHIST
Late Cabinet Head Was Known as
an Advanced Radical-His
Elevation in 1910 Caused
q Sensation.

MADRID, Spain, November
I2-The Spanish premier, Jose
Canalejas, was shot dead today
while on his way to the ministry
Of the interior to attend cabinet
meeting. His assailant, Manuel
Pardinas Serrator Martin, aged
twenty-eight years, OF Fl Grado,
Province of Huesca, was arrested,
and then shot himself.
Assassin Seized by Bystanders.
The assassination took place at half
past II this morning in the Puerta Del
Sol, in front of book stall at the corner
of Carretas street, near the entrance to
the ministry of the interior.
Martin fired four shots from his re-
yolver at close range, and three OF the
bullets struck the premier behind the
right ear, and he fell dead on the side
walk.
some bystanders seized the assassin and
handed him over to the police He then
turned his revolver on himself, ana IL Is
believed he has since died from the self
inflicted wound.
Martin Is said to have been closely con-
nected with anarchists, but 1t is not
known whether his crime was preconcert-
ed or whether 1t was committed on MS
own initiative.
Political ferment always exists in Spain.
but nothing has been reported within
recent period which could In any way De
connected with the crime.
A strict censorship was instituted by
the authorities on the telegraphs and tele-
phones Immediately after the committal
of the crime, and for several hours 1t was
Impossible to communicate with the out
side world.
Formed Cabinet in 1910.
Jose Canalejas Mendes. prime min
lister OF Spain. was selected to form the
Spanish cabinet In February. 1910 He
was leader of the monarchical demo-
cratic party. which came into power on
the resignation of the liberal cabinet
headed by Senor Moret Prendergast.
Senor Canalejas, who belonged to a
wealthy and prominent family, came to
the front IN political life only in 19UO
when he took leading part in the cam
paign against clericalism. He had, how
ever taken. great interest in politics as a
student and public speaker for many
years before trat. At the age Of twen-
ky-five he became member OF the
Spanish parliament. attaching himself to
the advanced liberal section.
He became member of Premier Sa-
casta's cabinet in 1902 as minister Of ag-
riculture. He introduced many reforms.
especially in regard to the working
classes, and eventually created depart
ment of labor.
Selection Caused a Sensation.
When he was asked in February, 1910.
- King Alfonso TO form a ministry the
request caused a great sensation as It
was the first time in the history Of Spain
that an advanced radical had been placed
al the head of the ministry. His cabinet
had since undergone many changes, but
he had always retained the leading place.
He had much to do with the signing OF
the agreement between Spain and France
on the question of the future of Morocco,
which was recently satisfactorily settled.
The project introduced by Senor Cana
lejas for the separation of church and
state in Spain caused a rupture of rela-
tOns between that country and the Vati-
can. These have since been resumed and
the question of separation is being dis
cussed with a view to a friendly settle
ment The Spanish government. however.
insists on the supremacy of the civil
power
Visited America in 1897.
Senior Canalejas visited New York in
1897. just before the outbreak Of the
Epanish-American war. 1t was stated at
the time that his mission was to study
the sentiment Of the American people and
OF the administration regarding Cuban af-
fairs. but it was hinted that he was in
trusted with secret diplomatic mission
TO offer pecuniary inducements to the Gu
ban leaders to stop the rebellion in Cuba.
He denied the truth Of the report. He was
at that time editor OF Ell Heraldo of
Madrid.