Assassination of Senor Canovas.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 7005, 2 October 1897, Page 1

Assassination of Senor Canovas.

On Thursday, August 5, tho Spanish Premier, Senor Canovas do Castillo, went; to Santa Agenda to undergo a course of treatment at the baths. At 1 o'clock on Sunday afternaon, August 8, Senor Canovas, having heard the dinner-bell, went) downstairs with his wife, whon they mo!) on the landing the sister of General Alavlof. Madame Canovas stayed behind to talk with her, telling her husband that she would join him at the second bell. Senor Canovas proceeded alone to the piazza of the hotel, where two bathers were sitting and another man. Tho latter suddenly took out a revolver, and, walking up to the Premier, fired at three yards' distance. A first shot struck Senor Canovas in the head, a second one went through the body, Issuing behind the shoulderbone, and a third lodged near the heart. The assassin fired a last shob in tho air, the bullet being flatten«d against the ceiling and cried, " Long live Spain I " The pistol reports were heard by the Lieutenant of the Gendarmerie and the chief of the detective force, both these officials being in attendance on tho Premier. They seized the assassin, who offered no resistance. Madame Canovas, alarmed by the noise, ran towards her husband. She went up to the assassin, and calling him " murder " and " assassin," dealt hfm a blow on tho face with her fan. The latter bowed to her with mocking politeness, and said, "I am not an assassin. I have avenged my anarchist brethren, and have nothing to say to you, Madam." Senor Canovas had noticed the assassin some days before. Santa Agueda, like all Spanish watering places except San Sebastian, is organised on rather primitive lines. The hotel, bathing establishment, assembly rooms, etc., are all in one building. Consequently there Is no social exclusiveness. [Senor Canovas asked his secretary who was the curious stranger whe was always politely bowing to him. The secretary replied he was a very silent man. It never occurred to tho servants of the hotel, the detectives, or the gendarmes to watch this strangor, who had taken four days before a room on the second floor, and appeared a harmless visitor. In his room were found a portmanteau, some tobacco, and a second revolver. He is well built, good-looking, has gentlemanly easy manners, and is rather dandified in dress. He appears to have received a good education. He says he has no living relative bub his mother. He was sorry to give her pain, but his anarchist convictions had led him to take the life of Canovas.