Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1908 — SALIENT FACTS OF ASSASSINATION OF KING OF PORTDGAL [ARTICLE]

SALIENT FACTS OF ASSASSINATION OF KING OF PORTDGAL

Victims—Carlos 1.. King of' Portugal, and his son, Crown Prince Luiz Philippe, who was the heir apparent to the throne. . Assassins-—A group of anarchists or members of the republican party who sought to overthrow the dynasty by wiping out the entire royal family at one blow. They fired a volley at the occupants of the royal carriage, and three of them were killed by a return volley fired by the guards. Cause —Harsh measures against the liberties of the people enforced by Premier Franco which had so inflamed thp populace that on several occasions a revolution was averted only by the narrowest margin. Heir to the Throne—Prince Manuel, second son of King Carlos, now 19 years old, who was slightly wounded by the volley which killed his father and brother. Pretender—Miguel de Braganza, head if the house of Braganza.

pany gave riae-'to rumors of treachery, but no substantiation is obtainable. King Carlos within twelve hours received information that Premier Franco was to be killed by the revolutionists and that he would be disposed pf at the same time. The idea was, so the king was told, to overthrow the monarchy. The people were weary of oppression ; were confident that the reigning dynasty was behind Franco in all his repressive measures, and therefore were ready to create a newpower. The kingjs assassination brings into peculiar prominence the head of a-pow-erful family which formerly reigned in Portugal—the house of Braganza. Dom Miguel ftraganza is the present head of the family, and the understanding is he will make a strong bid upon popular sentiment to succeed the dead Carlos.

Popnlnce la Terror. The news of the assassination swept through the city like fire through dry grass and half the populace became panic-stricken, no£ knowing where the next blow might fall. There is "the greatest dread for the future of the country, which seems on the verge of being plunged into the throes of a revolution, with, all the attendant horrors and bloodsred. Throughout the city consternation reigned. Queen Maria Pia, the mother of King Carlos; the Duke of Oporto, l;is brother; a number of ministers and courf officials hastened at once to the arsenal when the news reached them of the attack upon the royal family. The cold-blooded murder sent a thrill of horror throughout the country, even among those who have been working politically for the establishment eventually of a republic, and sorrow pressed on every hand at the dreadful end of the king and the crown prince.

AT the first blush it would seem as though the assassination was the work of anarchists and not of republican sympathizers. Nevertheless, the stirring events of the last few' weeks have prepared the people for some startling culmination. The discovery of plot after plot, as well as the discovery at many secret stores of weapons and ammunition, have demonstrated beyond peradventure the existence *>f a determination on the part of a large body of the Portuguese to overthrow the present conditions and proclaim a republic. Twice Escaped Death. In April, 1593, an attempt was made on King Carlos’ life as he was being driven through Lisbon, but It met with complete failure. On Jan. 30, 1890, an anarchist made an attempt upon the king while tha latter was returningl'rom the palace in an open carriage after a drive. The anarchist throw a heavy stone, which narrowly missed the king’s head, but hit the aid-de-camp riding with him, injuring him severely.

Manuel ll* Is Kins. In Lisbon Sunday Prince Manuel was proclaimed king of Portugal, succeeding his father, Carlos, who, with the ciown prince, Luiz Philippe, was shot down in the streets. The king’s proclamation, signed by himself ns Dom Manuel 11., and countersigned by all the ministers, was rend from the balcony, but beyond this there was no publ'c ceremony. Although in his proclamation the kliig declared he would support Prime Minister Franco and his policy, he was porsTTWJSd later to accept the resignation of the entire ministry. This wns done in return for the promise of the progressive and regeuerntionist parties to support the government and bury their differences with Premier Franco h* a coalition cabinet were appointed.