New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
PETROSINO NOT ARMED
HADNO CHANCE FOR LIFE.
Running Dorn Criminals from
america Who Had Looted
at MeSSind.
at MeSSind.

Rome March 16-Of1ciaI reports received
here concerning the assassination of Lieutenant
Joseph Petrosino at Palermo on Friday indicate
that the New York detective had no opportunity
to defend himself when attacked. as ne was
unarmed The revolver found by his side. one
chamber empty did not belong to HIM Inc
police have found Petrosino's revolver. un-
loaded at the hotel where he was staying.
On Friday morning PetrosinO went TO Cal
tanissetta, about forty miles from Palermo IN
connection with the compiling of criminal re-
cords He returned to Palermo in the evening
going to the Cafe Crete, near the Piazza Ma
rina where he usually took his meals he
left the cafe about o'clock, and was attacked
a few minutes later.
The authorities aided by the post mortem
examination. are convinced that Petrosino was
entirely unprepared for the murderous assault
on him. The assassins crept up from behind as
the course of the bullets shows One. entering
the right shoulder blade. perforated both lungs
another penetrated the back OF the neck. While
the third struck him the temple, probably as
he turning.
The American Ambassador is in close touch
with the local authorities in their endeavors to
( run down the murderers. While many arrests
have been made no direct proof has been dis
I covered against any of these men, but the ma
jority of them are being held by the police in
! close confinement.
+ The search for the assassns of Petrosino is
being carried on by the authorities not only
, here but throughout Sicily with feverish en-
ergy Hundreds of suspects have been arrested
the criminal quarters Of all the cities have been
searched and houses in the smaller towns. and
/ even huts in tho country, have been visited and
/ ransacked from Rome to Naples.
The clevcrest detectives in Italy have been
! sent throughout Sicily under all sorts of dis
guises and the authorities feel that the
assassins will certainly fall into their hands
unless they managed to escape from the country
By sea Immediately after committing the crime
According to information here. Petrosino was
/ running down two criminals who had returned
/ from America and took part In the looting OF
Messina after the recent disastrous earthquake
/ 1t Is said that the New York detective ap-
preached two friends Of these criminals. who
/ suspecting him, decided to put him out Of the
! way.
Palermo March 16-The police department
, has learned that Lieutenant Petrosino spent
some time in the latter part OF January in
/ Naples. coming from that city to Palermo under
the name Of Simone Velletrf The chief OF
police therefore has decided to make a sSecia
investigation in Naples. believing that Petrosinc
may have been recognized there and followed
to Palermo. Cortina Palazzotta. who travelled
on the same boat with the detective was placed
/ under arrest a day two ago, owing to hi
criminal record. but he has been released. hav
ing been able to prove alibi
The police chief said to-day that the Italiar
government had provided a vast fund for th'
annihilation Of the Malta and other secret socie
ties which had played a bad card in murderinl
Petrosino as it would mean the end Of thes
organizations in Italy and the United States.