The Caucasian., 1911-02-28
lTALY'S CAMORRA,
WORLDS CRIME
NOW FIGHTING

q GREAT trial growing out of the
"a inquiry which the government
- has been carrying on for four
s~ years concerning the CamOrra
st Naples is now under way at Vlter-
bo, the old papal medieval town about
fifty miles from Rome. Here an old
franciscan church has been changed
into a courthouse, and an iron cage
large enough to hold hundred per
sons has been erected in the center
Of the long, wide hall to serve as
dock for the prisoners on trial.
Another old building. originally a
convent and still retaining its name of
Santa Maria a Gardt, although used
as a prison since 1870, has been en-
larged and repaired. while its massive
walls have been made higher to pre-
vent the escape Of the Camorrists con
yeyed 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 i'll
creased from company to battalion.
the prison guard has been doubled, and
the small town Is crowded with cara
bineers, 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-
tiyes 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 evi-
dence of the trial. This evidence con
sists 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 Camor-
ra, which is the oldest. most power
full and best organized criminal asso-
citation in the world and which for
seven centuries has 1ourished at Ma
Piles and invaded with its ramiffca.
tions 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 exeeu.
ton may be avenged. It's complicated
organization, it's disciplined and formal
rule and its 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 ac-
quittal in italy. But it is certain that
the Camorra still retains some of its
power.
The Camorrists at Viterbo are well
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
ized, the Naples civil police have Oh
several occasions surprised secret
meetings of the honorable society
held for the election of new members
The Naples newspapers even gave the
No mas Of soYno nP tho chiofc vubo ha a