New-York tribune., 1899-07-20
EFFECT OF THE DREYFUS TRIAL

OPPOSITION TO METHODS OF INQUIsrTIoN IN
FOREIGN LANDs-A CASE IN POINT.
1t seems as II the success Of the movement for a
revision Of the DreyfLs trial would have a good
influence in the management OF judicial matters in
other countries OF Europe. Public opinion in Spain
helped by the great majority OF the newspapers
dema nds with almost revolutionary violence the
revision Of the famous trials OF the Barcelona an
archsts Of 1898 and 1896 when bombs were thrown
into the Lceo Theatre in the former year and into
the ranks OF a religious procession on Corpus
Christi day Of the latter year The Spanish people
do not want the release Of the Anarchists who
were not executed. and who are yet Jailed In the
famous fortress Of Montjuich They want the lib
Grafton Of the innocents whose names were ex-
torted from the guilty parties through horrible
lures inflicted by the ja.lers anxious to secure the
reward Of 1000 pesetas promised for the discovery
OF all accomplices In the crimes The revision OF
the trials OF 1893 and 1896 will probably be ordered
Another evidence Of the criminal unscrupuous-
ness which some European tribunals military and
civil. use TO procure avowals and the consequent
condemnation OF the accused. is shown In the trial
al Rome OF Acciarito's accompices which was pro-
ceeding at the beginning Of this month. The result
has not yet been reported but there cannot be any
doubt of the outcome. for the crime OF the accused
perpetrated in full view OF many witnesses
and has been admitted by the would be murderer
himself The fact which has aroused public in
dgnation through the Peninsula is that the Gov
ernment police have employed means Of recalling
the tortures Of the Inquiston to make Accarlto
inculpate as his accompces several innocent per-
sons, and even Deputies belonging to the Opposi-
ton party in the Chamber He was arrested al
most Immediately after he had attempted TO stab
King Humbert. April % 1897. with a ponard
manufactured by himself. Full particulars OF the
crime published at the time. For many
months Accarto has been kept 1 Jail, while the
police were searching for his alleged accomplices
some OF whom set liberty after It
knowledged that no serouz charges existed against
them.
In order 10 procure basis for charges against
the supposed accomplices retained in prison. and
against the political men whom the Government
was anxious to mpllcate in the case the following
means adopted Acciarto, who had been sem
fenced soon after his criminal attempt TO the
'ergastolo." which amounts TO life imprisonment,
was TO spend, in conformity with the penal code,
the first seven years OF his sentence at hard labor
The director OF the jail made him ask for a pardon
from the King. and meanwhile he placed in the
cell adjoining that OF Accarto a common convict
by the name OF Andrea Petite, promising some
favors 10 him II he could bring Acciarito TO de-
nounce. as being his accompNces the persons who
should be indicated 10 him AS Is well known, two
prisoners in adjoining cells, In most European
tails. can correspond more or less easily with each
other by knocks on the walls. From November IA
TO December A. 1898, Andrea Petite submitted to
the director OF the jail daily report Of his con-
versa tions with Acciarito. The reading or these
reports according the Italian papers, is painful
Petto began by telling his cellular companion that
his name was Caiero. and that ne was member
OF an Anarchist society. Little by little he In
sinuated in the mind Of Acciarito. who was an un-
educated aborer that he should have given the
names OF his accomplices when he wrote his letter
asking the Kings pardon because that was the
only way TO obtain a diminution in the penalty
imposed upon him. He added that in doing so
Acclarito would not have hurt any OF his friends
for the King was like the Pope. who could never
reveal the secretc Of the confession.
This maneuvre having not succeeded. Petito
upon the order of the jail director. told his friend
that the latter's common law wife, Pasqua Vena-
rubba. had given birth 10 a child, who would be
killed by the police through fear that he would
wish TO avenge his father This false story caused
Accjarito to make some revelations TO the instruct
ing magistrate He wrote a confession OF his
crime asking that It should be placed at the foot
of the throne so that the King should see that II
he (Acciarito) was formerly his enemy. he deeply
regretted his horrible action Acciaruo repent
ance could not have been sincere. for few days
later he dictated through the wall between thelr
two cells 70 Petite. who wrote 1t on the spot
anarchistic sentiments which ne still thought were
shared by his friend Petto. The latter, however
continued his role Of false companion and OF
spy The prison authorities caused 10 De Eedu 70
Acciarito an alleged letter from Pasqua, in which
she said that actual starvation was slowly killng
her and the cherished child because noi one e Vi
those potical friends for whom her lover nad sac
riAced himself had delgned 70 send her penny
That was the climax for the tortured nina OF tne
convict who confessed 70 the Junge OF tnst t5
everything asked by the latter ana mus caused ne
srrest OF the accused persons II is against sucn
nroceedinRs OF Italian Justice that protests nave
been heard from every side