Mr. Pitkin to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Buenos
Ayres, February 23, 1891. (Received
April 10.)
No. 100.]
Sir: I cabled you on the night of the 20th instant
in effect that the condition of affairs was critical; that there was
expectation of a revolution, that a state of siege was declared by the
President’s proclamation; and that an attempt had been made to assassinate
Prime Minister Roca.
The proclamation and an account of the attempted assassination are inclosed.
The state of siege was by later decree suspended during Sunday, the 22d
instant, in order that municipal elections might then take place at this
capital.
Two journals at this capital, La Defensa del Pueblo and El Argentino, were,
on the 21st instant, forbidden further issue, and others, it is expected,
will be subjected to the same rigor. 1 called promptly on General and
ex-President Roca, now minister of the interior, to congratulate him upon
his escape on the 19th instant. This attention was not only appreciated by
him, but seemed especially commended both by the action of the Argentine
Congress in adjourning for three days in tribute to the memory of the slain
Lincoln and by the fact of a large procession of Argentine citizens passing
with bared heads under our legation flag soon after tidings arrived of
President Garfield’s death. This latter incident was during General Roca’s
administrative term, who referred feelingly to both victims during my
interview. It is impossible to fore-east how soon and by what expedients
tranquillity may be assured.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 100.—From the Buenos
Ayres Standard of February 21, 1891.]
Proclamation declaring a state of siege.
As was anticipated, in view of the recent turn of events, the following
decree was issued last evening by the Government, proclaiming the city
of Buenos Ayres under a state of siege:
“Buenos Ayres, February 20, 1891.
“Whereas the capital of the Republic is now passing through a
period of excitement and of alarm which injuriously affects both
social interests and the national credit;
“Whereas various manifestations have already taken place, and the
situation may be aggravated unless the measures authorized by
the constitution for forestalling and repressing acts likely to
cause profound confusion in the community be adopted;
Whereas it is still more necessary to proceed in this manner
because the nation has to surmount financial difficulties which
can not be conquered unless public order and the action of the
public authorities be put upon a firm basis;
“Whereas this dangerous state of things constitutes precisely the
case of internal commotion referred to in Article 23 of the
national constitution, in which the exercise of the constitution
and of the authority thereby created may be considered in
danger;
“Whereas the executive is bound to watch over the public peace
and to repress all excesses to which the excitement of evil
passions may give rise;
“For all these reasons and in the face of the dastardly attack
that took place yesterday evening on the person of the minister
of the interior, the President of the Republic considers and
decrees:
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- “Article 1. In accordance
with the provisions of article 23 of the national
constitution, a state of siege is hereby declared in the
capital of the Republic.
- “Art. 2. Let this decree be
duly reported to the national Congress.
- “Art. 3. Let this be
communicated, etc.
“Pellegrini.
“V. S. Lopez.
“Eduardo Costa.
“Juan Carballido.
“Nicolas Levalle.
“Julio A. Roca.”
Article 23 of the constitution decrees:
“In case of internal commotion or of foreign attack which may endanger
the exercise of the constitution, or of the authority created by it, the
province or territory in which the commotion exists shall be declared in
a state of siege, all constitutional guaranties being suspended; but
during this suspension the President of the Republic shall not condemn
or inflict punishment on his own responsibility. His power in such case
shall be limited in regard to persons to arresting them or sending them
from one part of the country to another, should such persons not decide
to leave Argentine territory.”
[Inclosure 2 in No. 100.—From the Buenos
Ayres Standard of February 21, 1891.]
Attempt to assassinate Gen. Roca.
As Gen. Roca was returning from a cabinet council in the Government house
in his carriage with Mr. Gregorio Soler on Thursday evening a revolver
was fired into the carriage from behind, and the ball, piercing the
cushions, just grazed his spine. The news spread quickly through the
city. The full particulars are as follows:
Three days ago President Pellegrini received an anonymous letter warning
him that attempts would be made on his life, on Gen. Roca’s, and on Gen.
Levalle’s, as these three gentlemen were considered to be the cause of
the difficulties of the situation. Gen. Roca likewise received similar
anonymous warnings. At the same time the presence of suspicious groups
of men in front of the Government house and in Adrogue, where the
President resides, was observed, and this was one of the reasons of the
extraordinary military precautions taken within the last few days.
On Thursday a cabinet council was held in the Government house on the
question of the London negotiations. The council lasted till half-past
5, when Gen. Roca imparted some orders in the home office, and,
accompanied by his friend, Don Gregorio Soler, took his carriage, which
was waiting for him outside the terrace of the Government house. The
carriages drove down Calle 25 de Mayo, and on passing Calle Cangallo Mr.
Soler turned round to the general and said, “I think I heard the report
of a revolver.” The general heard nothing, but soon after stopped the
driver and said to Mr. Soler, “I feel I am wounded.” They got out of the
carriage and found there was a great commotion in the street; policemen
whistling, people running about in every direction, calling out
“Assassin!” and soldiers from the Government house mingling with the
crowd. In a moment the general understood that an attempt had been made
on his lite, and seeing two men holding a boy a little distance off, he
rushed in that direction. He asked the boy who had told him to commit
the crime, but the boy could not speak with fright. The criminal was
handed to a policeman and conducted to the police station of the first
section, where he was identified.
His name is Tomas Sambrice, an Argentine by birth but of Italian
extraction. He is 12 years of age. He declared that he was out of
employment, and, being convinced that Gen. Roca was the cause of the
ruin of the country, he had decided to kill him. He told his brothers
and some comrades of his intention, and had practiced at target shooting
in Palermo. On Monday last he followed the general with the intention of
killing him, but seeing him accompanied by an officer he desisted from
his intention and decided to await a more favorable opportunity. The boy
seems to be a very intelligent lad and does not look over 12 years of
age. The officer with Gen. Roca remarked that the boy had followed the
carriage. On Thursday young Sambrice took up his position in Calle 25 de
Mayo, at the corner of Cangello. He was observed with one hand inside
his coat and shivering violently from time to time. Suddenly the
carriage appeared. The boy was so completely taken by surprise that he
hesitated, and the carriage dashed past. He then rushed after the
carriage and fired, the bullet piercing the hood and cushions and
grazing the general’s
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back,
leaving the black mark of a bruise. The general felt great pain, but the
injury is very slight.
President Pellegrini, happening to hear of the attempt on Gen. Roca’s
life, did not take the train to Adrogue, but went straight to the police
station, where he personally questioned the youthful criminal. In the
course of his cross-examination the boy stated that three nights ago he
wrote to Dr. Alem, announcing his intention of killing Gen. Roca, but as
Dr. Alem is in the habit of receiving such missives every day, he
attached no importance to the letter.
The police have arrested the parents of the criminal, his brothers and
comrades.
