The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-17
RED FLAG WAVES.
Great Demonstration in Rome,
the Occasion Being
The Release of the Socialist
Leaders From Prison.
CROWDS CHEER THEM
AS They Alight at the Railroad
Station.
Their Carriages Hauled By Men
Through the Streets.

ROME, March 1.-THE socialists of
this city turned out in force today to well
come back to Rome and liberty the
leader of their party, Giuseppe de Felice.
De Felice is a Sicilian, and was formerly
a member of the chamber of deputies.
Early in 1894 he was arrested on the
charge of plotting with the exiled anar-
chists, Cyprote and Signor Casilli, an
other deputy, of planning a revolution.
which had for its ultimate aim the over
throw of the monarchy. They succeed
ed in causing a serious uprising in
Sicily and other parts of Italy, in which
considerable blood was shed and much
property destroyed.
De Felice and about forty of his com
panions were tried and sentenced to the
penitentiary, and while in prison several
of them were reelected or elected mem
bers of the chamber of deputies Among
the former was De Felice, Barbato and
Bosco But on July IS last, the chamber
of deputies anuulled their elections on
the ground that the men were convicts.
The socialists, however, took the ground
that as the prisoners were sentenced by a
military tribunal for offences of a purely
political nature, they were not convicts
in the proper sense of the term.
1t is expected that De Felice, Boscoe
anu DAEOdlO Will dDE0dE ID the Cndn Der
of duputies today when the new cabinet
makes its first appearance before the
house and claim their rights as deputies,
10 emphasize their return they are de-
termined to take seats next to Signor
Crispi, who was mainly instrumental in
causing the suppression of the outbreaks
of 1898. When the socialist leaders
reached the railroad station today after
their release from prison, under the re-
cent amnesty decree they were met by
about 5000 of their followers and ad
mirers with flags and music. half wild
with enthusiasm and determined to show
the adherents of Signor Crispi that their
leader was in truth overthrown.
Here and there black or red flag was
huttered in the air, in spite. of the orders
of the police. But this was peace COM
paratively speaking, to the roars of
cheering for socialism, for De Felice, for
Rudini and against Crispi, which swept
over the multitude as the socialist lead
ears left the depot and entered a car
riage, which was in waiting for them.
The three leaders were compelled to
stand on the seats of the vehicle, bare
headed and bowing for several minutes
then De Felice succeeded in making
speech in which he thanked his
friends for the cordial welcome accorded
his companions and himself on their re-
turn from Rome. He assured his hear
ers that the happiest moments of their
lives were then passing, and then called
for cheers for the Marquis di Rudini.
They were given with will, after
which the socialists made rush for the
carriage containing their leaders,
dragged the horses from the shafts and
pulled the vehicle in triumph through
the principal streets with waving fags
on both sides and one band behind and
another in front of the procession.
The police were out in strong force
but no attempt was made to interfere
with the demonstration of the socialists
One or two black flags were seized il is
true, but the authorities acted in a man
ner calculated to avoid giving cause for
an outbreak.
A few arrests of disorderly young men
were made, and a number of windows
were broken by the same class of peo-
pie, but the offenders belonged to the
gang of young roughs who are always to
be found taking advantage of all popu-
lar demonstrations in order to cause ad-
ditional disorder and commit depreda-
tions under it's cover.
1t was good natured mob, and several
British flags seen here and there brought
forth enthusiastic cheers for England as
the ally of Italy and as her supporter in
Africa in her hour of need,