POTTED PHILOSOPHY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 87, 25 March 1911, Page 1 (Supplement)

POTTED PHILOSOPHY.

Men who give up nothing give up everything. Tlie greatest ambition any man can have is to lie happy. Talent hns a gay time spending the coin earned bv genius. The man who undervalues himself is rever overrated by others-. He who is ashamed of honourable poverty would lx» proud of dishonourable riches. The young man needs an old man's head, and the old mau needs a young man’s heart. The man who hopes to wake un and find himrelf famous shouldn't depend upon an alarm clock. "Yon look pale and thin. What’s wrong?’’ ‘•Work' From morning till night, and onlv a vne-hour rest.'’ “How long hare von bet-n at it?’’ "I begin to-morrow ” Distrusted Din-ri ‘’You ought not to hair killed this fowl.’* Restaurant Proprietor: "Whv. sir?” Disgusted Direr: ‘'You’ve robbed it of :<n Oid Age Tension!” M’ss A'l’ique: 'Officer. T appeal for pr. ‘er tb”:. A man is following me ar.-t it--.: p-mg i«. make love to me.” Kin I !’•!•> man: "What? Welk I’ve br.ro 'eon 'oolh. for an escaped lunatic' Wi - <• i> ‘•iv ■ "A’o?. h» is who' you might t--n. > ii’.r.nri ! Mver: Wha: r a financial pes-imist?” G.ve’ ; A mun who is afraid to look t ! «.:-.in- for f<a- -is friends will want r.o fro>.- him ” F. sa : “I’u: ‘o b« married to-morrow, ni.il ' ni tv ri>»ly nervous.’’ Stell i: 'Y-s I suppose there is alw tt.- the ‘•'i::;- of the man getting r at th last minute.”

Terrible as were many of the deeds and plots resulting from London’s association with Anarchy and the Anarchist refugees, non© of tliom eclipsed in awful interest and malignancy those attempted by the Barcelona members ot the murderous gang. They weie joined in their deliberations by men of all nationalities, and were shown to be in communication with some of the most “advanced” of the British revolutionaries. Before referring to the succession cf outrages in Spain, it will be well to complete the story of French Anarchist activity up to the arrest of Ravachol. He it was whom the police credited with a dozen oi more explosions and attempts, that iu the Rue de Clichy being obviously aimed at the magis- , trato who had dealt with seme cf his comi tides. I For a tiino they were entirely at • fault, but Ravachol, gaining courage , with his continued luck, was trapped at last m tiie Cafe Very, w hich* was afterwards destroyed. The proprietor saw him sitting having a meal, and at once sent to the police*. Three officers went to the cafe, armed with revolvers, and took a seat near to tho hunted man. |

In due course he res*? to pay his bill, and when that little purpese liad been accomplished they threw themselves upon him.

There was a short but terrible struggle. Ravachol denying his identity as well as association with the outrages. The matter was brought home to him, however, and he received sentence of

twenty years’ imprisonment. Comparative immunity fiom arrest for a time led many hot-beaded youngsters to follow the example of Vaillant, Henry, Bom din, and Ravachol, and it was not until quite a number of them had suffered tno death penalty...some on the guillotine, and others at the hands of marksmen armed with rifles

—that the outrages ceased for a time.

PLOTS TO KILL A PRESIDENT.

Later cm plots against the life of President Carnot became the order of the day. Ravachol, Valliant. Henry, Bourdin, and a number of others had each prepcred to be the “executioner,” and there was almost a rivalry among them for tlie “honour’’ of being the one to accomplish the task. It was on the afternoon of June 24 thnt the President, who was driving to a gala performance, which followed upon his visit to the Lyons exhibition, received his death-blow. The prooesyion was pas-mg along the Rue do la Republique. headed by mounted men. When the; President’s carriage had got just opposite the 1 Credit Lyonnais a young fellow was seen to rush forward, as if intending to present a petition or to shake hands with M. Carnot. Apparently the latter saw him coming. and divined that as his intention, for ho was seem to stretch out his right hand, as if to receive it. Before anyone could see what was about to hanren, or make any effort to prevent it, the youngster (ho was only twenty-two years of age) had plunged a dagger, more than ten inclies in length, into 1 he. President’s side, and was dashing behind the horses mounted men, and in front of th-« carriage. The attack had been made from the righthand side of the procession, and the assassin now made for the opposite line of spectators, seeking to get among them, and to be Irst in the crowd. As usual, those who had secured a front place refused to give way to tho impetuous man. and that gave the police time to secure him.

FANATICAL TRIUMPH.

He was a handsome young fellow, with what one who saw him later described as ‘‘a sweet smile,’’ and it was stated that at the moment of his crime bis fare was po itively illuminated with fanatical joy, as he shouted, “A'ive I’Anarrhie!” Santo, as he was generally ealh-d, himself stated to the examining judge that his blow was so sure and effective that lie felt his hand touch the cloth of the President’s coat. He left the dagger where he had driven it with such cruel fcvce. The carriage, with the dying President in it. was driven off to the Perfecture, and his family summoned to meet him

Uy the tinio they arrived it was only too evident to the physicians that there a.is no hope of saving life, for the blowhad been placed accurately, and a large effusion of blood just by the sash of th • Ix'gion of Honour indicated that a vita! part had been readied. Happily, he was restored to eoniciousncss some time before his death, which took place. the following mominif, about one o'clock, and able to understand that his wife and other dear ones were present at his couch side.

Santo was examined as to his relations with other Anarehis's, and his as socintion with those who had been plotting in London, but evaded the questi n every time. AVhether he had met these concerned in its inccpt’cn or not, it is quite certain that ho knew A’aillant and Henrv. and he openly avowed that he had done it to avenge their death.

“LONG LIVE ANARCHY.”

When examined Santo saidi 'T gave five francs for the dagger. As soon as T saw the- carriage come alongside I rushed forward, jumped on the step, and, holding on with my left hand, plunged the poignard into the breast of the President with try right hand—

The Assassination of President Carnot— Perilous Arrests in London—Hated Detective—The Explosion at a Barcel Theatre.

yes, right up to the hilt, sixteen centimetres. “President Carnot looked me straight in the face, and his look made a'"curicus impression on me. I approve of the acts of Ravachol, Vaillant, and Emile Henry.” The assassin made no effort to clear himself on the ground of mental weakness, and when he was executed managed to summon enough courage to shout frem the very brink of the grave, 'Courage, comrades! Vive I’Anarchie!” It was nearly two years after the explosion before the police learned the whereabouts of Meunier, one of the gang, who came to London, and even then they were a long time before they could lay hands upon him. In th© meantime they had seized Jean Pierre Francois, who ha<T| also sought a refuge here, and had scoured his extradition to France for trial. He used to boast that he would never tie taken alive, and that he would not ‘leave the world alone.” But he had got a little off his guard by long immunity from arrest,, and used sometimes to leave at- home tho revolver he had made a practice of carrying during the first -find most dangerous weeks cf hi*: snimtrn h

t Inspector Melville had never quite despaired of finding him. and on the 13th .of October he was able to feel ; sufficiently confident of success to take

, Detective-Sergeants Welch and Mclntyre, and Detective Hester, who is now i an inspector at Scotland Yard, with him •to the East End. ! It was about four in. the afternoon

that he espied his man in Northstiect, Poplar. Francois made off towards his home, but the police were in better condition than the fugitive, and ooon overtook him. As he feit the touch of the hand, he tunied upon his pursuers with a snarl like a captured wolf, and struggled with all his strength to get away.

DETECTIVE’S PERIL.

On the way to the station Francois hissed out, “It is p good job for you ’ I am not at home shon you take me. ■ I should have sold Uty' life as dear as i possible, even to the last drop of my blood.” That the threat was no idle one the , officers soon had prooft • i Having charged the prisoner inspeo .' tor Melville went along to the little I two-floored tenement where the man . ' had his abode in Hind-street, which runs , ’ out of Upper North-street, and . going straight to the sitting-room found' Mme. •Francois alone. j He had scarcely shown his face when , the woman, with a scarcely coherent • ' cry, dashed at the mantelpiece, and , Seized a heavy five-chambered revolver . that was kept there, evidently prepared i to use it on the intruder. i But Melville was too quick for her. . With the cry of authority, "I am a [police officer; put that thing away!” j he crossed the> little room in two strides, seized the infuriated woman’s wrist, [and twisting the hands until the revolver was pointed where its bullets were iikely to do no harm, took it J away, and handed her over to the care of a subordinate while he searched the premises. * Fir.vt_ of all the weapon was examined, ana found to be fully haded, while a «paro cartridge lay ready upon the table. Twenty-five others were in the cupboard, also ready for immediate use. | Francois was ordered to be extradited on November 16, and received a long sentence. t -M® rnn: < r was captured at Victoria ! .Station , whore Inspector Melville was scrutinizing these who were taking their seats. He suddenly saw Menuier, whose i photograph he had committed to meml <>r y> and who appeared to be waiting .'for something. A companion' had left | him for a time, having walked rapidly i past him, saying something without apj [-.curing to notice the man.

NARROW ESCAPE.

. Walking straight up behind the fugitive, he placed one hand on his shoulder. and with the other seized the cuff of his coat, and exclaimed, "Meunier, I arrest you I”

The fugitive started, gave hasty ' glance at the speaker, and then attempted to get at his hip pocket. But the railway officials - were prompt in coming to the assitance of the police officer. Several of them at onoe threw themselves upon the prisoner, and, as he persisted in his struggles, dragged him prone on the platform. That the inspector had a very narrow escape from death was proved as soon as they got Meunier to the station. The first thing the search revealed was a five-chambered Smith and 1 Wcssen revolver, fully loaded, wfiicl: he was carrying in the hip pocket, while

in his coat pocket was found a considerable store of reserve ammunition.

When the pair were brought before the magistrate at Bow-street his companion was charged with attempted rescue, but was only fined five pounds, although Inspector. Melville declared he had been expelled from Belgium and from Switzerland as an Anarchist.

Meunier’s legal representative pleaded that his client dfd not intend to murder pec,pie; “he was simply making war on the French Government.” This plea of course availed nothing, and he was sent to Paris for trial, where he received sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment.

While Meunier was under arrest, and his trial delayed by the non-arrival of the necessary papers, the police seized two other of the Anarchist colony of London, Giuseppe Farnara and Francis Polti, both of whom were Italians, and nt one time inhabitants of the Little Italy quarter of Clerk-enwell. The evidence showed that both of them they had been engaged in the manufacture of explosives, and wrought irons bombs to contain them. Farnara, as being the o Ider of the two, and more or less the instigator of the crimei, whs awarded twenty years’ penal servitude. As soon as he received his sentence at tJki Old Bailey he became extremely violent, and had to bo held by the warders. Promising to remain quiet,

however, he was allowed to stay in the dock while Polti, for whom he had nleaded very hard, was sentenced. Upon Polti being awarded ton years’ imprisonment. ho shouted, “Shame, shame!” ana burst into tears. Farnara again assumed a defiant air. and shouted. Yon make the laws now, some time we shall make them.” unhappy career. There wore many curious points about the crime in which these two were engaged. In the first place Polti was a mere boy of eighteen, who had left Italy as a child, had suffered privation, had married an English wife, who was but a child, had lost her and their infant, and altogether. Lad a verv unhappy career. All this was pleaded in his favour at tlte trial, and it was largely due to these facts that his sentence was so much less than that of his companion.

or^lr a 8»J he . fir ? t of the tM -° M or nds ted. He had gone to an iron castor in Blackfriars...road, and) asked him to make a casting to the model lie produced. Later on the police got to hear what was in the wind, and Inspector Quinn, Sergeant Sweeney, and other officers were told off to make inquiries. One of them was at the shop when Polti first called for the casting, and when he came the second time all of Ahem, with Inspector Melville, were on the watch.

Polti camo out of the house with his precious package carefully wrapped in brown paper, and carried under his wm, and was arrested at the corner of Ray-street, Farringdon-road,. CAPTURED WHILE SLEEPING. Later on Polti made a statement impJlieaifng Farnara, wbfom he also knew as “Piermonte 1 ’ and,“Carnot.” As a matter of fnet, Farnara had lieen presetat in the Bow-street Police Court when Meunier was charged, or during the hearing, arid at the suggestion of Detective-Sergeant Walsh was foolish enough to give ius name and to write it down. Apparently Farnara got wind that a statement implicating him had been made by Polti, for he left his lodgings in Black Hill, Clerkenwell, and had to' be traced to his new abode.

Ho had taken share with six others of an apartment in Church-street, Stratford.

His arrest there was quite on the lines of the “Penny Horrible” type of detective story. On a Sunday morning, about halfpast one, Inspector Quinn went down to Stratford, taking with him Sergeants Walsh. Sweeney, and Maguire. Going to the back of the horse in which they had learned Farnara was almost certainly to be found, they carefully forced a window, and entering quietly proceeded to a. room on the first floor, r.nd tried a door. It was rot locked, and tlitey obtained! entrance without awakening even the man they were after.

Waking the they told him who they were, and invited him to accompany them to tho West Ham Police Station. They also told him of Polti’s statement, which Sergeant Maguire read over to him.

In reply Farnara made the following extraordinary admissions:... “If I had some money,” he remarked, "you would not have taken me like tine. I would have bought revolvers, and placed them round me. I would have shot everyone who approached me. I would have continued the firing as tong as I could I should have hit a goed many of you before I was overpowered.

CALLOUS AVOWAL. "I went to Bow-street on purpose to seo Melville, so that I might be able jo recognise him again. I meant to kill him and if Polti’s affair had not taken place he would now be a dead man. Three or four days after seeing him at Bow-street it would have been his turn. But I had no money. If I *- J would have bought a five or six chambered revolver, concealed it in my sash, and finished Melville with a potnard, for a revolver makes too much T lld " lves an alarm. 1 coldd ” ot succeed in making fn ? JXIT'T 1 have down WOU l d . haV€l done of , k® the seventh. He has arrested and caused to be arrested too many o f my comrades. In my^ opinion, it was necessary to remove

“I know what this means, but what does that matter? Fifteen, twenty o? lEfc.n.'V tnat mean? I am getting old. (Fb> was r™ff T fc J'S richest country, and at the RoyM SIS™ »llt hke inj-'nllL’- f ’ ,M m£^ r ‘°, n3cro illuminating docn penned. And it may be taken’« I

Leaving France for the moment, it may bs remarked that the Anarchist activity inspired and morally or materially sustained by thei refugees in London, was confined to no particular part of the Continent. Spain was the oer.tro of almost daily crimes of violence, and although the assassins were in many cases arrested and pupished nothing seemed to deter others from following their evil example. SPORADIC BUTCHERY.

One of ihx* most diabolical attempts of the kind was the throwing of two bombs at a group of officers assembled at the saluting point for a review of the troops in Barcelona. One of the bombs fell immediately beneath the horse upon which he was sitting, his legs being shattered, and Marshal Campos receiving a wound in his thigh. Tli© shock caused him to jl. f r °m iiis horse, and h-e received additional injuries tncireby. General Costellvi, General Bustos, and General Molins, as well as a number of the spectators, were among the injured, while on© of th© civic guard was so badly mangled that he died' almost immediately. The assassin seemed hardly to attempt escape, and when seized by those standing around expressed no regret for his act. On the contrary, he said ho had intended to kill the Marshal and the emef members of his staff. He also readily gave the name of Pallas, which .turned out to ha correct, and deciarcu liiniself an Anarchist. Placed upon trial, Pallas admitted his guilt and maintained his callous attitude to the last. Awakened and informed the time of was near, and exhorted fey- the priest in attendance to give his lastoTeiv moments to the consider at ioa of the affairs of Iks soul,, h-a comiiveiited, with a scowl, “Is that all you disturbed my •dumpers so early for?” and, turning on his side, pretended to go to sleep again.

.He boasted that others would avenge Jus death, and the Anarchists were scarcely three months before they fulfilled ins promise, iu so diabolical an outrage that civiiisatipn was, indeed, staggered. ” ’ BOMB IN A THEATRE. The Liceo Theatre, at Barcelona, was .crowded to tlie- doors in every part to witness the opera “William Tell.” The performance was in full swing, when suddenly two missiles were seen io fly through the air, hurled by an nnceen hand. They fell into the stalls, one, fortunately, alighting upon the dressj of a lady, and remaining unexplodecfe The other, striking the floor in the very middle of thd audience, burst with a tremendous explosion. In a second the buiQding was filled with the shrieks of the affrighted spectators and the groans and cries of the injured. In one heap lay the bodies of a large number [of petople, afterwards found to be fifteen in number. Everywhere other mangled remains were scattered, and before the horrible rod had been completed fifteen more had been added to’ the list of dead. Thirty in all died as the immediate and direct result of this terrible deed. The unexploded bomb proved to bo of the °‘ s ' ni , type* hut intended to be exploded by concussion, and of the same pattern as that used by the* assassin Pallas in his attempt on the life of Marshal Campos. In all over 200 arrests were mad©, upon an Anarchist club resulted m the seizing of a number of bombs and revolvers. T ?. n . in .? ll were placed upon trial for partioipauon both in tho attack on Alarsiial Campos and the massacre at tho Liceo Theatre. Six cf them were senteniocd to death, and were executed the day before Emile Henry suffered the same penalty in Paris for the explosion at the Terminus Cafe. Othcirs of in© Barcelona gang were sent to hard for twenty years each—“ Lloyd’s weekly News.”

summary of the “arguments” they use for the justification of their own’ propaganda of violence. AVhen Polti and his companion were' put up for trial it transpired that in a pocket-book found in the former’s apartments he had written, “Vile Melville I” another indication of the hatred felt by the whole crew of violent revolutionaries for the man who had done so much towards breaking up their Organisation., such ns i>t was, and in ! bringing their chief men to justice. Polti, of course may be -taken to have lieen merely an impressionable lad, but Farnara was a scoundrel of violent Anarchist convictions.