The discovery of an Anarchist plot at Alexandria to murder
the German Emperor is a serious event in many ways. There seems to be no doubt about the facts, Harington Bey having arrested nine plotters, all Italians, including men with bombs in their possession, and obtained evidence that the bombs were to be used in Cairo. The news will greatly increase the anxiety of all the Courts to "put down" the physical force Anarchists, and will give actuality to the debates of the International Conference against Anarchy shortly to be held. It will also increase the irritation which will be felt against any Government that objects to the general proposals. These proposals will, it is said, be to suppress Anarchist publications, to send all Anarchists back to their own countries, and to try them all when an attempt has occurred, by Court- Martial. The first suggestion is of little importance and no use, illicit literature being as effective for such a purpose as licit, and secret oratory more effective than both. Upon the second we should like to hear the opinion of great police experts. We do not want criminals here; but we do want good evidence that they are criminals. The third suggestion will never pass Parliament, and seems to us wholly super- fluous. We can trust London juries to bang any guilty person quite as fully as any Court-MartiaL Trial by Special Commission is, of course, possible, there being many prece- dents; but we see no use in it.
