The Washington times., 1902-04-27

ROME. April 26.-Musolino, the Italian
brigand, the story Of whose long defiance
OF the entire forces Of the government
and the police authorities has been de-
tailed in the cable dispatches again and
again, is still riveting the attention OF
all his countrynen. His trial. which be-
gan at Lucca last week. is assuming a
character which at one time is sensa-
tional. and at others ridiculous. II is al
ways theatrical.
Every newspaper in Italy prints long
reports of the trial. and the papers have
enormous sales. The excitement extends
from the royal court TO the lowest cot
tage. There is an almost universal belief
that Musolino will not have to wait TO be
condemned. but will escape through the
connivance Of sympathizers.
The fact that 1t is known that he made
thirteen attempts to commit murder
most OF which were successful, does not
excite any horror among the people He
declares in impassicned rhetoric that he
has exercised the sacred right of ayeng-
ing himself on his enemies The public
shows sentimental sympathy with this
view. and rather pities the possible fate
OF the jury should it have to condemn
him.
Distinguished Men Present.
Musolino's vanity. which is his chief
characteristic, has been fully satisfied by
all the happenings at Lucca. Distin-
guished men in large numbers have gone
there to study him. The poet -dramatist
D'Annunzio, the poet Pascoli, and the ia
nous psychologist Lombroso all seem to
have been fascinated by this picturesque
ruffian.
D'Annlnzio is writing a novel and pre-
pairing a play, of which Musolino is to
be the hero. and Pascoli is publishing
verses by the feam singing his praises,
and has written an open letter. in which
he declares that the brigand is the vic
tim OF justice and fate. and pays homage
to his sovereign intelligence
Lombroso was consulted in regard TO
the mental condition of the brigand and
declared that he was perfectly sane. He
added:
He is most exceptional man. II
properly brought up, he would, am Ger
tain, have become glory to Italy. His in
felligence. perspieuiiy. and eloquence are,
indeed, extraordinary. He possesses, in
the highest degree. all the qualities of a
great orator and great man. and yet
he is merely brigand. 1t is truly
case"
Master of the Occasion.
In the trial in the court at Lucca Muso- |
limo bears himself as the master of the 1
occasion. The judge, the jury, the cara
ha 1i.-tu IN,
and accept his caprices with the greatest |
readiness. At first he refused to speak: |
now he constantly interrupts and is i'm
mediately listened to In death-like 81
lence and his remarks are followed with |
thunderous applause and sometimes by
hysterical weeping.
When he was br ought in at first he re-
fused TO be tried or speak because he
was dressed as a convict He said: Il
-efuse to be tried unless l am dressed as
/ gentleman"
After much coaxing he was induced to
appear. but he still refused to speak or
answer questions while dressed a con-
'ict The judge who is presiding used
persuasive arguments to convince the
,rigand that the matter of clothes would
lave no effect on the jury.
THAT is all very we'll" replied Muso-
ino, but If you were dressed rs farm
II no one would take you for a judge"
Bandit Makes Speech.
He finally consented not TO reply 10
uestions, but TO make speech, on condi- |
ion that the judge would not interrupt
i'm. This was granted, but the judge in
dyertently made an observation and Mu-
olino sternly and sharply said TO him,
DO not interrupt" and proceeded TO give
striking history OF his lawless lie.
-hich was full of a rough sort of poetry
Eat appealed strongly tc the jury and
be people, who applauded and wept.
lusolino declared that with the excep-
on of traitors he never killed anyone
Mess attacked. The only carabineer he !
yer attacked was one who fired twice at
i'm.
His explanation of his treatment OF u .
ian OF the name OF Crea was Il typical
ne. He said crea sold the news of his
hereabouts 10 the police and had even :
etermined 10 shoot him. Musolino con- :
nued:
He leyeled gun at me. / frightened
m. seized and took away the gun, took
e cartridges out, reloaded the gun with
,ot. and told him TO walk away. When y
|. had gone little distance, ] shot him :
the legs to give him lesson. ! did not !,
.e to kill him because he was the father /,
a family" h
Brute Shows Through. /
Such touches as this last arouse sym 9
thy among the people in the court room u