The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-14
CHARMED LIFE Of
ALFONSO Of SPAIN
IS DEMONSTRATED
Fourth Attempt to Assassinate
Popular Young Mon
arch Fails
HIS PRESENCE OF
MIND SAVES LIFE
AS As art Draws Weapon,
eau 5 Horse to Rear
aaa animal Takes
he Bullet

MADRID. April IA we'll
dressed man of twenty-five fired three
shots at King Alfonso as he was rid
ing through the streets here this at
ternoon. but none of the bullets
struck the monarch. one of the bull
lets struck his horse in the chest.
The king was returning 10 the pail
ace from a review of recruits. and
the ceremony Of swearing in of the
troops and the presentation of colors
in the Paseo de Castellano. The
king was riding slowly through the
streets with a large staff and was
near the Bank Of Spain ON Alcala
street when a young man. who was
standing in the front row of cheering
spectators rushed "a the monarch's
horse, and ciutched the bride with
his left hand. Then he put his right
hand in his pocket and drew revolt
yer.
Presence of Mind Saves Life.
King Alfonso realized instantly
that the man was an assassin, and
his skill in horsemanship and his
presence of mind probably saved his
life He made the horse rear NJ
inst at the moment the assassin
fred but the king was already safe
behind the horse which got the bullet
In the chest Al the same moment
policeman threw himself upon the as
ssssin. and threw him 70 the ground
and held him there. bat he was un-
able to grip his arms before he had
fred two other shots. They were
random shots, as II was Impossible
fer him To take aim. and they did
not hit ANYBODY
The stan. which was riding 1T
tie ahead Of the king, Immediately
formed around the sovereign and
faced the crowd. while the cavalry es-
cort which was following behind.
Immediately formed Gordon around
the king and pushed back the crowd
which the sound of tbs shots had
caused % increase as II by magic.
They were already greatly excited.
hut when the soldiers began driving
them back the crush turned into
manic. and a number OF people were
traruplpd under foot. and eleven per-
SIMS. mostly women. were badly hurt,
King Saiutes Crowd.
The King. after seeing the assas-
sin taken away by the police stood
up in the sttrrups and smilingly turn
ing Ia the crowd and giving 81 MILL
tar lar, salute. frled.- viva l. Espana.''
The people took the cue and re
peated the cry loud and long. They
also gave hearty cheers for the king.
After acknowledging the cheers of
the people by renewed salutes. King
Alfonso dismounted In the most un-
concerned
anxious Inquiries Of the members Of
his staff by saving: Gentlemen, II
In nothing" Then he remounted
and continued on the way TO the pal
ace. The crowds which had BY TINS
time greatly increased in numbers
roared their applause all the way 10
the palace. while the king cohtlhu-
ally saluted the people
Queen Fna and the queens moth
or who were also at the review. had
driven 10 the palace and were at
ready there when the king arrived
The monarch related the circum
stances Of the shooting, but treated
fl as trivial matter, He also re-
assured members of the cabinet VINO
were waiting at the palace for MIN
Crowd Cheer Monarch.
Meanwhile the people went toward
the palace In great throngs from an
rarts Of the city. The great square
on which the principal entrance 70
the palace fronts was soon packed
with cheering thousands The cheers
were 40 enthusiastic that they must
have echoed IN every apartment IN
the palace. Such tribute could not
he ignored by the king, and ne APP
reared on the balcony. This was the
signal for another frenzy of enthn-
slasm and shouts OF A<ohs Hf0 AZ"
king"
The monarch stood on the balcony
ealptine for several moments Then
ne heard cries of long live the
queen" whereupon he re-entered the
palace window and soon brought MS
wife to the balcony. AT TINS fFanuc
cheering was renewed me queen
bowed and the, king saluted for sew
eral minutes. and the third attempt
Ia assassinate the young monarch
ended in u great demonsration OF
popular joy. which has Rver been
ectpsed.
Assaiiaut saved BY Police.
Neanwbiie the assailant of the
king. who gave the name OF Fafael
Sanchez AleGre. and said ne was a
Catalonian had been hustled by the
police into the nearest house as
this was the only way to save ms
life from the fury of the crowd. AS
II was marty blows reached him, ana
n. would surely have been lynched
but for the prompt action or the
police who kept him in the house
unti the prison van arrived
Three other persons were arrested
in connection with the shooting one
was a well-dressed Frenchman. who
was in Alegres company when the
latter dashed at the kings horse,
The F'renchman boited down the Cal
de Alcala. but was chased ana cap
tlred by the polio" No weapon was
round on him and he declared tha
I've had nothing to do with the o't~n -
It may prove that he was simply
casual acquaintance of Alegre's. He
stated that he was teacher or
French and had resided here for four
years.
The other two persons arrested
were Spaniards, a man and woman.
she former was arrested near the
Credit Lynonnais building. with a re-
Solver in his hand. He refused to
give any satisfactory answer to the
questions of the police Nothing has
been learned as yet as to the iden-