New-York tribune., 1911-11-13
ITALIANS HERE PROTEST.
Mass Meeting Condemns "PreSs
Attacks on Army"
APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
Chairman Declares Soldiers Have
Not Committed Atrocities De-
scribed by Correspondents.

A crowd Of five thousand Italians that in
cluded delegations from more than thirty
secret and social societies in the city filled
the auditorium of the Casino at Suffers
Park l26th street and Second avenue,
yesterday afternoon. when a mass meeting
was held to protest against the alleged
fabrications OF newspaper correspondents
regarding the methods employed by the
Italian army in Tripoli.
After two hours of mpassoned speeches,
martial music and wild bursts OF cheers
| from the audience a formal set Of resolu-
| tions embodying the sentiment OF the
speakers was drawn up. and dispatches an
nouncing the protest of American Italians
were sent 10 President Taft. King Victor
Emmanuel OF Italy the Italian Ambassador
at Washington and General Caneva, In
command Of the troops in Tripoli.
The heavy police guard for which the
promoters of the meeting asked Commits
sioner Waldo as a protection against pos
sible Black Hand tactics. proved unneces-
sary. Patrolmen were in the hall and about
the entrances and a force Of Italian de-
tectives worked through the crowds on the
lookout for trouble. but they had light
n
ctable ones leaped to their feet on the floor
and in the galleries at various times and
tried to outspeak the speakers on the plat
form. but they were soon applauded or
hissed into silence, and the meeting went
merrily on.
So far as the management went, yester-
days protest was largely representative OF
New York's Italians. and was under the
auspices of bankers. editors and merchants
of high standing. The societies, including
a thousand members CT the Masons Cnion.'
marched into the hall TO the music OF the
Italian national anthem and prolonged
cheers from the audience. While awaiting
the opening of the meeting the bands
played "Garibaldi' and then The Star
Spangled Banner" which was the signal
for general scramble on to chairs and
seats and more cheering and waving Of
hats.
Baron Bernardo Quaranta di Severlno,
magazine writer, called the meeting to or
der. and explained that its main purpose
was TO pass resolutions protesting against
certain statements that had appeared In
American papers accusing Italian soldiers
Of atrocities. He said tho Italian soldiers
had displayed courage at all times during
the campaign, and that the sacred respect
for women, which was characteristic OF
the nation. had not been betrayed by 1tal-
ian soldiers. as some OF the correspondents
had represented He then read the dispatch
to President Taft, which was as follows:
We, the Italian colony of New York. with
other italian colonies of the United States,
| r1I fYo To
test against the attacks made by certain
sections of the press against the sacred
honor Of Italy and her humane soldiers
fighting for their country and civilization,
send respectful greetings to the illustrious
head of this great friendly nation.
Following the reading OF the other tele-
grams. speeches were made by John Vica-
rio. editor of "LAraldo Italo-Americano':
Enrico Mazzola, president Of the Italian
Masons' Union; Angelo Legniti banker;
Francis l. Corrao. former Assistant Dis
trict Attorney of Brooklyn; Giovanni Lordi,
a banker. and DR.. Antonio Stella, president
of the italian Medical Society.
Robert Ferrari, a young lawyer, caused
some excitement just before the close OF
the meeting by attempting to answer one
Of the speakers from the floor. He plainly
had the sympathy Of the audience, and
there were cries for him to take the plat
form In spite of the protests of others
Mr.. Ferrari rushed down into the front of
the hall and managed TO climb on to the
stage. but in the uproar that followed when
| the chairman tried to prevent him from
! speaking. the meeting was closed and the
leaders hurried out of the hall. The audi
ence remained and cheered Ferrari as he
Urged a sane and unbiased consideration q
the Turkish charges and moderation in
drawing up resolutions and statements
| AS the crowd left the casino agents for
the Red Cross took contributions. which
will be sent to the branch now on duty in
| Turkey