New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
CIPRIANI. MURDERER AND REBEL.
STRANGE CAREER OF THE MAN WHOSE VOL
UNTEER BAND HAS JUST BEEN
DIccOrUED

Cipriani whose company OF Italian volunteers,
raised for service In behalf OF Greece, Is reported by
recert dispatches have been disbanded IN conse-
quence Of their inability endure the cold that now
prevails on the Turkish frontier is one Of the mos.
extraordinary characters in contemporary Italian
life Deserter, insurgent, threefold murderer and
for several years inmate OF the Porto-Longone
Penitentiary as life convict. his name Is watch
word for all the lower classes from ono END OF the
kingdom to the other In spite OF his being in prison
he was elected less than six consecutive times BY
overwhelming matorlies 10 represent his native city
OF Ravenni In the Chamber Of Deputies. whereupon
the King the recommendation or his then Prime
Minister Crispi. issued n pardon to the man In tho
hone OF conciliang the people Of the northeastern
provinces always notorious for their disaffecton TO
the throne and for their revolutionary tendencies.
No sooner WAS ne liberated than Cipriani manifested
his gratitude by the issue Of article OF extraord
nary violence against the King and against tho Gov
ernment which had suca an effect upon the popula-
ton that Humbert was compelled to ABANDON the
roval progress which he had intended to make
,hrouoh the northeastern part of his kingdom.
II is impossible to conceive a more adventurous
and stormy career than that OF Cipriani. Al the
axe OF twenty he joined the army but deserted
year later in order TO join the insurgent FORCES
under Garibaidl When the latter was wounded
and defeated al the battle Of Aspromonte. Ciprani
was one Of the first OF his followers 10 take TO
flight and after wandering about the mountains of
Gala bria for about a month at length embarked for
Alexandria, where he arrived In 1867 There is
large Italian colony in Egypt and Ciprani was
most Hospitality received. lodged and even clothed
by a countryman OF his named Santini who was
established in business there One day n violent
political discussion sprang up between the two
men which led TO blows. and ended in Cipriani
drawing his knife and killing the friend who had
received him with such generous hospitality.
Santini's murder becoming Immediately known.
the police were sent in pursuit Of the assassin, and
two of them were about to secure the latter when
he suddenly turned upon them and stabbed one OF
them 10 the heart and the other In the throat sew
ering the carotid artery. Making good his escape
from Alexandria, he next appeared In Italy under
q false name, fighting In the war OF 1866 under Carl
baldi against the Austrans a year later he turned
up in Crete. battling In the ranks OF the Greek In
surgents against the Porte, In 1871 he took lead
ing part in the Paris Commune. and was largely
responsible for the shooting CT the hostages and
for the burning of the public buildings. Captured
red handed by the Versailles troops. ne was con
demncd 10 death but was lucky enough TO have his
sentence commutcd at the last moment 10 penal
servitude for life In the penitentia colony OF Cay
There he remained for ten years before returning
to France on the proclamation Of the amnesty. He
had not been long in Paris however. before he was
arrested for petty offence and after being
subjected TO months imprisonment expelled
from French territory. He now began 10 devote all
his time and energy to the preaching Of a crusade
In Italy against tina King and the royal family. No