Attempt to Assassinate Marshal Bazaine.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 6, 23 June 1887, Page 4

Attempt to Assassinate Marshal Bazaine.

The following particulars are to hand with regard to the recent attempt on the life of Bazaine in Spain :— About a year ago Mdme. Bazaine went to Mexico with the younger children, leaving the Marshal in Madrid with their eldest son, who is serving in the Cazadore Regiment of tho Spanish army. Marshal Bazaine was living in a small apartment near Casteliana, with one man-servant. Six months ago, while walking in the Beriro, he fell and broke his leg, since which time he has been confined to his room, where he generally sat in an armchair, receiving but few visitors, and living on a very small allowance from his wife. The servant refused to admit an unknown visitor one Sunday, but, seeing his insistance, next day he showed him in and left him with the Marshal. Having thus obtained access to the Marshal in his room, after talking of indifferent subjects, the visitor suddenly rose and with a poniard dealt Marshall Bazaine a severe blow just over the centre of the forehead, striking the bone. The poniard seems to have glanced, leaving a wound the gravity ot which has not yet been ascertained. The Marshal was stunued. The man escaped into the street, followed by the Marshal’s servant, who by his cries succeeded in getting the man arrested. On being taken by the police the man handed over his weapon, declaring in in a theatrical manner in French, “ 1 have avenged my country.” On inquiring at the residence of Marshal Bazaine, says the Standard, the doctors said he was progressing favourably. The wound was superficial, and the loss of blood inconsiderable. The Frenchman arrested is a man of 36 ; he has a moustache and imperial, and is very well dressed. He behaves insolently, and says he has accomplished a providential mission. His weapon was a triangular dagger; it was found on the staircase. The authorities and the judge have examined the prisoner, who seems greatly excited. The newspapers express doubts about the state of mind of the prisoner.