TRIAL OF AN ANARCHIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12192, 11 February 1903, Page 5

TRIAL OF AN ANARCHIST

THE BRUSSELS OUTRAGE

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

Brussels, February 9. The trial of Rubino for attempting the life of the King of the Belgians is proceeding at Brabant. The prosecution showed that the accused contemplated attacking King Edward of England, and other Sovereigns. Rubino maintained throughout a cynical and boastful manner.

Shortly after, his arrest Rubino stated, in reply to the magistrate who first examined him that he had come to Brussels from London, where he had been vainly looking for work. He succeeded in obtaining a few pounds from one of the Embassies, and wa3 then engaged to watch the movements of Anarchists on behalf of the Italian Government. It was discovered, however, that he was furnishing not his employers, but the Anarchists with information, and he was consequently dismissed. Thereupon he purchased a revolver and 50 cartridges, and came to Brussels. Hero he was equally unsuccessful in finding employment, and resolved to strike a blow of some sort for the Anarchist cause. "With this intention he went to Sainte Gudule Church in order to shoot King Leopold. Finding troops drawn up at the church he left the building because, as he said, he was afraid of wounding any of the soldiers, and proceeded to the Rue Royale in order to await the passage of the Royal procession. Asked why he fired on tho third and not on the first carriage, Rubino replied that just as the procession reached the spot where he was stationed it started at a trot and he had also some difficulty in getting his revolver out. Tho consequence was that when he fired the shots he struck the third carriage. He professed himself an Anarchist. He did not regret his act, and hoped that someone else would succeed bettor than he had clone. He would have fired at any King, at the King of Italy just as much as at the King of the Belgians, for kings were tyrants who were the cause of the misfortunes of too peoples. Not only kings, but all established authorities and the clergy, were his enemies. All potentates must go the same way.