Evening star., 1909-05-12
W|LLREMA|N MYSTERY
Little Likelihood of Discover
ing Petrosino's Murderer.
SlCILIANS KEEP SILENCE
False Idea Of Honor Keeps Their
Mouths Closed.
AUTHORITIES ARE THWARTED
Consul Bishop Says Italy Will Take
Measures to Prevent the Emigra-
tion Of Dangerous Men.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, May 12.-On board the
Carpathia, which arrived from Palermo
today, was w. H. Bishop. American con-
sui at Palermo, Sicily, who was in that
city when Lieut.. Petrosino of the New
York police was shot and killed on his
secret mission. With Consul Bishop was
his wife. Before he visits his son, mid
shipman at Annapolis, and before return
ing to his New Haven home,i Mr.. Bishop
intends to go to Washington to make GER
tain reports on the immigration problem,
to the study of which he has devoted
much time during his two years abroad.
Mr. Bishop does not believe that the
assassins Of Petrosino will ever be
brought to justice. This is not due, he
says, to any lack of effort on the part OF
the Italian authorities who have been ener-
getic in getting after the evil element
since the Staying of the New York police
man, but because Of the reticence of those
who might aid the authorities.
Mr. Bishop said that although the ltal-
ian government had made every attempt
to find the murderers, their identity was
as much a mystery as ever. and would
probably remain SO. great many sus-
poets have been arrested and Volu-
1890 ~S~>-~~>s
but nothing has come OF 1t all.
So close-mouthed were those to whom
the police looked for help in their investi-
cations, he explained, that 1t was impossi-
BILE to make any progress
False Ideas Of Honor.
For this reason the same condition
would have existed had the crime been
committed at midday instead of in the
evening. In dwelling upon this false idea
Of honor which padlocked the lips OF an
island inhabitant whenever a policeman
or an officer appeared to make an in
uuiry Mr.. Bishop said that In this respect
the Sicilians were fifty years behind the
times. They still retained the schoolboy
idea of not telling on each other. he said.
. even when the interests of justice might
be furthered. It was not possible to aid
either the police or justice In Sicily, he
added The Italian government would
probably try to teach them in the future
not to try to maintain secrecy at the ex-
pense of putting an obstacle In the path
Of justice.
Mr.. Bishop also said that it was absurd
to suspect that any of the officers on the
island were concerned in the plot. He
paid a tribute to Petrosino. picturing him
as martyr to duty; but he said that,
much to be regretted as his death is. 1t
would have one good result. for 1t had
already prompted Italy to devote serious
attention to the problem Of prohibiting
emigration of dangerous men. The gov
ernment is getting at brigandage in a
sterner manner than ever before. and
while Petrosino's devotion to duty stirred
the world, it has likewise awakened Italy
to the importance Of regulating emigra-
ton.
Regulation Of immigration.
There is a great fever on the part of
Sicilians to get to this country, the con-
sui said. The United States should take
the initiative In planning some means
for the proper regulation of the problem
and aid Italy to the fullest extent.
THE passport idea as 1t exists at pres
ent is a farce" continued Mr.. Bishop.
1.-THE passport should contain the photo
graph Of the person to whom it is issued.
with an adequate description of the
holder.l In the past it has been the
natural thing for Italy, or for that mat
ter for any country. to desire to rid itself
OF undesirable elements. We, ourselves,
would be prone to kick crook out of
town.
In speaking of Messina. Mr.. Bishop
said that an order was issued by the
authorities May that there should be
no more digging In the ruins until the
colder weather set in.