An attempt has apparently been made this week to murder
the German Emperor and his Chancellor. A box was received on Sunday by the latter, apparently sent from Orleans, and said to contain radish-seed of a new kind. His aide-de-camp, Major Elaneyer, accordingly untied the box—a small affair, 6 in. by 2 in.—but as he did so, a few black grains fell out, which he recognised as gunpowder. He sent therefore for the police, the box was dipped in water, and on examination was found to be full of rough gunpowder. A machine was in the box intended to explode it if carelessly opened. A similar box was sent to the Emperor, also from Orleans, and similarly intercepted. The police, both of Germany and France, are, of course, making diligent inquiries, but the Post-Office authorities at Orleans deny all recollection of the box, and there is nothing to indicate whether it was sent by an Anarchist or a Chauvinist. The former is the more pro- bable, as the death of Count Caprivi could in no way benefit France, nor had he held any great command during the war. The attempt was a very foolish as well as criminal one, for Emperors and Chancellors do not open their own boxes, and killing aides-de-camp is waste of crime. The occurrence has, of course, greatly increased European atten- tion to the action of Anarchists, and the general belief in the necessity for measures of repression.
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