The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-13
Assassin Immediately Turns
Revolver Upon Himself
i'm Unsuccessful At
tempt to Kill Self
ALFONSO is DEEPLY
AFFECTED BY DEATH
OF GREAT STATESMAN
Drives Unattended to View the Body.
Premier's Wife Falls Painting
Over His Body When She
Arrives-Will Be
Buried Today

Madrid. November 12-Jose Canaleias
y. Mendes, the prime minister whom
Spain has regarded as one of the best
of statesmen, was shot and killed today
by young anarchist named Manuel Par
dinas. The assassin attempted suicide,
and 1t was first thought that he was
dead. hut when he had been carried to
the hospital he was found to be living.
No event since the throwing of the
bomb at the carriage of King Alfonso. en-
May 81, 1906 while the king was returning
from the church after his marriage has
caused such general CONSERVATION and
such public sympathy
So far as can be learned at present the
assassination seems to be in no way part
of widespread political plot of revoln-
tionary movement, but an isolated crime
for which the exact motives remain OBJ
scure. The assassin, who was Of Spanish
birth, came recently from Buenos Ayres
by way of Paris. Practically nothing is
known about him.
The king has appointed the foreign min
lister, Marquis Manuel Gracia Prieto, as
premier-pro tempore, and the liberal sov-
ernment which senor Canalejas so con-
splciously conducted for several years,
remains in power.
After a meeting Of the cabinet to-
a.ot
Weyler, captain general Of Catalonia, and
once commander in chief Of the Spanish
forces in Cuba, or Count Homanenes
might be appointed permanent PREMIER
Shot in Back
Canaiejas was shot in the back three
times as he was walking TO the ministry
Of the interior in the Puerta Del Sol. lie
had stopped to glance into the window oi
a book shop.
This morning he went to the royal PAL
ace to submit several DEGREES to the king,
He emerged smiling and happy. As an
attendant opened the door leading TO the
street a strong gust of wind struck the
premier in the face, causing him to ex-
claim gaiy;
~oh. what windl We are going TO
have a bad day"
About an hour later his unconscious
prophecv was fulfilled As he stopped
for a moment at the shop window
man darted from nearby doorway. lie
ran UP behind the premier and fired
four shots at close range. Three bul-
lets. as it was afterwards found, took
effect
Canalejas sank to the sidewalk.
friend who was passing at that moment
rushed up, crying;
Don Jose, Don josef This being the
premiers baptismal name.
The wounded man scarcely had strength
10 murmur "The scoundrel has killed
me-" lie then expired.
In the meantime his assailant turned
the muzzle of the revolver on his own
breast and fired again. A crowd quickly
gathered. while the assassin was half
dragged to the police station.
The premier was carried to a pharmacy
and. then to the ministry of the interior
where he was placed on large marble
table in the main salon. The blood flow
ing from a wound behind the right ear
soon formed n pool on the floor
Alfonso Deeply Affected
The King was Informed Of the tragedy
as he was leaving the palace to attend
the chrysanthemum exhibition. He sprans
into an automobile and motored swiftly
without escort to the ministry. AS he
reached the Puerta Del Sol the crowd
acclaimed him, crying Long Live the
Brave King" Running upstairs, four
steps at a time the King entered the
salon and bent silently over the body of
his late minister. He was greatly affected
as he retted the prayer for the dead and
turned TO the assembled ministers to
learn the details of the crime
Marquis Prieto announced the assassi-
nation in the chamber of deputies IN
the course of an eulogy he said:
''He died between his two affections
his people and his books. The enemies
of society VIII not triumph, for we all
united to defend society"
Marquis Prieto's words oceasioned great
applause. in which all except the republi-
cans Joined.
The premiers body later was trans
ported to the chamber OF deputies, where
the public was admitted TO view IT. The
funeral probably viii take place tomor-
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