The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-02-16
.iTALy'S CAMORRA.
WORLDS CRIME
NOW FIGHTING

q GREAT trial growing out of the
IA inquiry which the government
"A has been carrying on for four
years concerning the Camorra
at Naples is now under way at Viter-
DO, the old papal medieval town about
fifty miles from Rome. Here an old
franciscan church has been changed
into courthouse, and an iron cage
large enough to hold a hundred per-
sons has been erected in the center
Of the long, wide hall to serve as a
dock for the prisoners on trial.
Another old building, originally a
convent and still retaining its name of
Santa Maria Gardi, although used
as prison since 1870. has been en-
1arged and repaired, while its massive
walls have been made higher to pre-
vent the escape Of the Camorrists con-
veyed there from Naples. Apartments
are provided inside the prison for the
two judges who preside at the trial
and the two attorney generals, or
kings procurators, who will conduct
the case against the prisoners, as at
tempts on their lives are feared.
Violence Guarded Against.
The garrison of Viterbo has been in
creased from company to battalion.
the prison guard has been doubled, and
the small town is crowded with cara
bfneers, policemen and detectives. Ex-
traordinary precautions have been TAX
en- to prevent the Camorrists from en-
tering the town, and the police Of Ma
pies have orders to shadow the rela-
tives and friends of the prisoners,
watch their movements and report by
wire their departure from Naples in
order to prevent their entry into Vi
terbo.
In the courthouse squad of soldiers
mounts guard day and night over a
large wooden box securely locked and
sealed, which contains the written evil
dence of the trial. This evidence con-
s1sts Of fifty folio volumes weighing
ITO pounds and includes the reports Of
the carabineers and the proofs collect
ed by the examining Judges during the
four years. investigation of the case
The box was conveyed from Naples to
Viterbo guarded by armed soldiers
who travelled in the baggage van.
The trial will mark the climax of
the long struggle between the govern
ment and the Camorra The struggle
has been long and fierce. The Canon
"a, which is the oldest. most power
full and best organized criminal asso-
citation in the world and which for
seven centuries has flourished at Ma
pies and invaded with it's ramifica-
tons even North and South America,
is fighting for its very existence.
Practically all the chiefs of the Ca
mora have been arrested and are
awaiting trial, and for the first time in
history, it is said, Camorra execu-
ton may be avenged. Its complicated
organization, its disciplined and formal
rule and it's secrecy have for once
been powerless to protect the members
of the honorable society," from the
carabineers.
The result of the trial is Of course
impossible to forecast. The trial will
last over six months, and less compli-
Gated trials have ended with an &C.
quittal in Italy. But it is certain that
the .Camorra still retains some Of it's
power
The Camorrists at Viterbo are we'll
supplied with money They have Sc
cured the services of the best lawyers
in Italy for their defense. and all are
hopeful of acquittal. The police have
decided to have each member of the
jury guarded, an unprecedented meas.
ure in Italy.
Still Choose New Members.
Besides, during the last four years,
when all the Camorra chiefs have
been under arrest and the Camorra
was supposed to have been disorgan.
lied, the Naples civil police have OF
several occasions surprised secret
meetings of the honorable society,"
held for the election of new members
The Naples newspapers even gave the
names of some of the chiefs who haG