The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-14
ITALY STARTLED BY ATTACK ON KING Twelve Years Since Humbert Was Assassinated EMMANUEL POPULAR Was Believed That Anarchists Had Ceased Their Criminal Opera
 tions-Treatment of
 Life Prisoners

1AOIl6s ApTll -AoD6Cldl. D--All lLdlY Is still under the tremendous impression caused by the attempt on March 14 OH the life of the King, who, without doubt Is immensely popular, while that it should be the work of an anarchist is a surprise to all as that dread fra ternity has in late years somewhat lost it's reputation for deeds of violence.
 It Is now 12 years since King Hum bert lost his life. his murder. roughly speaking, bringing to close period of several years in which the assassination of prominent men was a daily menace. Since then Italy has been almost en- tirely free from this danger, and her present King has gone about apparently as safely as the most insignificant of his subjects The attempt of March IA has shown that, even if the act was that of one individual and due to his initiative alone, it was inspired by anarchist thought and principles
 The difficulties experienced by the po- lice in watching anarchists are almost insurmountable, and above all in be- coming acquainted with their plans. The organization of the anarchists is such that it is almost impossible for spies 10 obtain a footing among the "com- panions," while if they are successful in doing so their req. intentions are speedily discovered and they have been at all their pains to no purpose. The reason Is that the anarchists are divided into quite small groups, never num- bering more than 10 or a dozen mem bers Admission to a group is not granted until every imaginable precau- ton has been taken and inquiry made, and the members of group being so few in number they necessarily know each other intimately. and are able to exercise a close watch one over the other.
 For a long time the anarchists had no central organization. but in 1894 there was a meeting of delegates from the groups and the formation of cen- tral committee decided upon. The crimes of Santo Caserio, who killed President Carnot of France on June 24, 1896; l.. Luccheni, who killed Empress Eliza beth of Austria on September 10, 1908. and of Gaetano Bresci. who killed King Humbert of Italy on July 29, 1900, were planned by them, but 1t is still doubt ful whether that of Dalba was known to them.
 Dalba's fate will not be quite so bad as that of Bresci, who murdered his in- tended victims father but it will be quite had enough. Thirty years in prison is before him, so that if he lives he will be prematurely old man of 30 when he comes out, left behind by a world always on the move, and without friends or resources.
 A thorough investigation of the treat rent of life or long sentence prisoners shows that for some years they are con- fined in a separate cell and given worR which does not require the use of iron. To, ha follow flRV ad- mitted to work with the other prisoners but not allowed to speak. In the first period the rule is that they are not per mitted to see any one while in health, although in reality their relations are allowed to visit them for half an hour once a year. Later they are permitted to see them every six months.
 Their food consists of three and half ounces of macaroni and one pound. five ounces of bread on week days, and soup and a piece of meat on Sundays; wine is given only three or TOUT times year On special days.
 In the first period the convict may spend a cent day in whatever he wishes, and in the years following , cents. His cell is 71s feet by IS feet and 1O1a feet high; the air comes from g. window sd constructed that nothing but the sky is visible; it has heavy, iron bound door inside, and iron gates behind, it contains ped with iron springs. and a mattress of vegetable material, all of which Is attached by chain to the wall during the day, so that the prisoner may not lie down; also there are toilet necessities and he Is allowed to have brush and comb. Each day he is taken out alone for a walk in specially isolated courts; the minimum time for exercise is one hour, although this is extended if the health of the prisoner requires it. The ordi- nary punishments are, isolation with bread and water, the strait jacket and the dark cell with irons