Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-24
EXPOSE
PLOT IN
BELGIUM
Italian Anti-Fascists Ac-
cused OF Planning To
Kill Royal Family.
TWO UNDER ARREST
Death OF Prominent Bel
gians And Italians Also
Decreed.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dee. "a.
W.P)-A vida spread anti-fascist
plot, which took evidence" for its
watchword, was described by Brus-
sells police today after the arrest of
two young Italian radicals.
The secret organization, while po-
lice said was prepared "to kill prom
inent fascists in italy," was linked
indirectly to the recent attempt to
assassinate Crown Prince Humbert
on his visit to the Belgian capital.
Police said documents showed the or
ganization extended to Paris, Berlin
and other cities.
Two youthful Italians, Luigi Ber-
neri and Pasquale Rusconi, were ar
rested. Bcrneri was said to be an
associate of Fernando de Rosa, who
is held on a charge of attempting to
kill Crown Prince Humbert.
Police denied reports published
here that Berneri had confessed "A
plan to assassinatc the Belgian royal
family about the time of Princess
Marie Jose's marriage to Prince
liumbcrt Jan. 8. The report of such
u plot, involving a purported plan to
bomb the royal train, Was wide
spread despite the police denial.
Police said Berner arrived here
to organize anti-fascists in an armed
league. Several automatic pistols
were seized when he was arrested.
Another pistol was found in the
home of Rusconi, an associate OF
Berncri, and Rusconi was arrested
later on a charge of false passport
3. papers. He was released.
II Among evidence to show that Ber
'neri was plotting attacks on promi-
nent Italian fascists was photo
graph of the Italian minister of JUS
tiee, Alfredo Rocco, who will arrive
here Friday.
"lf we encounter any fascists we
will kill them" Berceri was quoted
as telling the police.
Police said the organization ap-
parently was extensive and that
Paris and Berlin headquarters were
merely the centers Of action.
LONDON, Dec. "a. U.p-A dar
ing anarchists plot to assassinatc
the entire Belgian royal family on
the eve of the wedding of Princess
Marie Jose to Crown Prince Hum
bert of Italy was described today in
advices from Brussels.
The Daily Mail printed dispatch
es which asserted that an Italian
anti fascist, believed to be an asso-
ciate of the young Italian who at
tempted to assassinatc Prince Hum
bert at the tomb of the Unknown
Soldier in Brussels October "a, had
confessed the plot to police.
The young Italians name was given
rs Berneri, said to have been sent
10 Brussels to replace chief com
munist agent from Moscow, recently
sentenced to prison.
Berneri was reported to have con
fessed that he arrived in the Belgian
capital with the intention of assas-
sinating Professor Alfredo Rocco,
Italian minister of Justice, who was
scheduled To lecture there Friday.
He enlarged upon his confession 20
include the anarchists plot to kill
the five members of the royal fam.
lily by a daring bomb attack on the
royal train when it leaves for Rome
for the wedding January 8.
The Belgian royal family consists
of five members, King Albert, Queen
Elizabeth, Princes Leopold an d
Charles and Princes Marie Jose.
The family is scheduled to leave
Brussels in time to arrive at Rome
January 5.
The dispatches also stated three
members of the Belgian cabinet had
received letters threatening their
lives unless they acted to prevent
the marriage Of Humbert and Marie
Jose. The cabinet members were
Premier Henri Jaspar, minister of
Justice =. Il. Janson and Comte
Charles De Broqueville, minister of
national defense.
Police in Brussels were attempting
to link Berneri with young Fernando
de Rosa, the Italian student from
Paris, who attempted single handed
to murder the Italian crown prince
us he laid wreath on the tomb of
Belgium's Unknown Soldier only II
few hours after King Albert and
Queen Elizabeth had annouced his
engagement to Princess Marie Jose.