New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-20
BLACK HAND SECRETS
DETECTIVES HAVE THEN.
Tdchis and Croscley, Who Follo7ced
PefrosinO. Return Home.

With Information that may lead 20 the capture
of the men who assassinated Detective Joseph
Petrosino I'm Palermo. Italy, on March II, Lieu
tenant Antonio Nachris. chief OF the lalan de-
tective bureau in Brooklyn. and Lieutenant John
j. Crowley Of the Mahattan Italian detective
bureau at No $40 Lafayette street. returned to
this city yesterday on the steamer Regina
dItalia- Vachris and Crowley risked in Italy Tor
four months the game sudden death that overlook
Petrosino in his search for Black Hand secrets
Landing in Jersey City, the detectives were met
by two others from Mulberry Street. and later
made brief outline report of their work 10 Police
Commissioner Baker Headquarters. After the
conference with his men Commissioner Baker gave
out this statement;
Iieutenants Vachris and Crowley report as the
result of their visit TO Italy that they have brought
back much information in regard TO Italian crlmi-
mails now I'm this country and that we Will be able
10 establish a working agreement between that
rountry and this department which Will be or great
benefit connection with Italian criminals VINO
may in The future sail TO this country
assassination of Lieutenant Petrosino which, it is
hoped, will be effective in reaching the men re-
sponsible for his death.
These few words tell all the official information
that the public will receive for some time as 10
how the Black Hand agents, who said to have
killed Petrosino, will he reached by the authori-
ICES, what dangers the two New York detectives
passed through in running the gauntlet of Italian
criminals and assassins, and what success they
have had in continuing the work Petrosino was
sent 10 Italy 10 accomplish.
Commissioner Baker declared that 10 make pub
Tic the secret information obtained would he 10 de-
eeat the very end fer which il obtained. 10 rid
this country OF Italian criminals whose records are
notorious In their native land. and TO prevent the
immigration of others who may fee here from
justice in Italy 10 carry out some Black Hand
plot.
The work Of Detectives Nachris and Crowley has
been 10 secure names. descriptions location and
records OF criminals known in Italy. whether they
still in their country or have emigrated 10
America. OF these they secured a list of nearly
TWO hundred. They have also obtained informa-
ton in regard TO counterfeiting which in view Of
the recent alleged importation Of counterfeit Amer
ican coins from Italy viii he especially valuable TO
Chief wilkie, of the United States Secret Service
Bureau In this city. and 10 the government
II is said that this information will be used by
Senator Nelson w Aldrich when he visits Italy
as chairman Of the Monetary Commission 10 ar
range for better monetary arrangement between
that country and the United States. Commissioner
Baker would not disclose the nature of this infor-
nation.
Petrosino was killed on March p by shot fired
at O'Clock the Piazza Marina, Palermo after
he had been warned by Ambassador Lloyd Griscom
and the Italian authorities that the mission upon
which he had come would endanger his life Know
ing that they were 70 follow Petrosinos foot
steps and might share his fate. Vachrs and Crow
ley volunteered at for the perilous duty when
General Bingham called all the Italian detectives
into conference. They sailed for Italy on April p
The fact that they had sailed was not known until
they had been days at sea, nor that the Work
Of investigation, for which several New Workers
had contributed s25OoO when the Board OF Aldermen
refused 10 do so, would be resumed.
Upon their arrival IN Naples Nachris and crow
ley disguised themselves as Italian peasants. Later
Vachris grew a Nandyke beard and passed as
Jew under the of Simon. In spite of all their
precautions against recognition by Italian cut
- threats the detectives were told by the italian
police that they We're taking their lives in their
hands and that. while the government would do
all il could 70 protect them. il had In the case OF
Potrosino, Italy would not be responsible II any
thing happened 10 them.
Vachris and Crowley did the Italians the honor
10 he impressed but they cabled General Bingham
upon their recall. month ago. that they needed
another thirty days TO finish their MISSION Mean
while they redoubed efforts for secrecy, and the
italian secret service men guarded them carefully
q they pored by the hour over Italian ponce rec
ords.
When the detectives had finished their work In
Rome they told the Italian police that palermo
would be The next field Of investigation. The ltal-
fans hello up their hands in dsmay and forbade the
Americans TO enter Sicily. They said ii was mad
ness and meant certain death. They said that the
life Of police agent was safe in Sicily If IT were
known or even suspected that he were deving into
the secrets Of the organized criminals They spoke
Of Petrosino and solemnly announced their convic-
ton that in spite 81 all the Italian police could do,
the American signor would be dead before
they had shifted Sicilian air twenty-four hours.
But vachris' and Crowley increased the effective
ness Of their DISCUSSES and slipped quietly out Of
Rome and into Sicily. with the help OF ". II.
Bishop. the American Consul. They knew their
ground. and now well they did proved by their
safe arrival in New York yesterday.
The detectives. who said be away on va
cations" reported at TO Inspector McCaferty
Al the detective bureau and will resume their reg
ular duties The information they secured will be
of assistance to the police in running down num-
her OF Italian Black Handlers and criminals who are
living in this CITY and is expected to result in
their deportation