The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-25
Gen. Cadorna.
ny =.

IA AfN'Htu anu II must pt 'uH-
\ fcsseG ingenious devices to
which the Germans are having
recourse for the purpose Of embar-
RAISING their foes in the present war
is the circulation of rumors through
out the length and breadth of Italy to
the effect that a number of the promi-
nent men of the kingdom are afflicted
with the evil eye.
The stories were first started will.
rtsard to the popular author Gabrielle
~dAnnunzio. now serving at the front
as an infantry officer, but whose
patriotic speeches and impassipned
eloquence in all the great cities and
towns Of the peninsula and of Sicily
contributed in no small degree to
arouse pablo enthusiasm in favor 4
the war against Austria and Germany.
Then, realizing the harm that they
could accomplish by the spreading Of
these reports, the Germans proceeded
10 lnsinuate, with the utmost crafti-
ness, that Generalissimo Cadorna,
Gen. C%aneva. Admiral Vale. Premier
salandra, Foreign Minister Baron SON.
E.no, and even Victor Emmanuel III.
himself, We're likewise cursed with the
evil %eye--in fact that they were to- be
dreaded as jettatori.
Now Of all calumnies that II Is pos
s.5ie TO conceive the imputing Of the
evlI eye 10 people in the countries Of
southern Europe is the most insidious.
II Is so difficult to disprove. There is
NJ outward sign. The optic, indeed,
may be of the most kindly and gentle
description.
Nor are the disastrous effects Of the
evil eye supposed to be dependent
upon the will or sentiment of its
owner. 1t is not necessary that the
gaze should be charged with venom. by
anger or resentment. In fact, the look
may be prompted by the Utmost SYM
pathy and even affection. Yet insinua-
Tons that this or that person Is a
l~ettatore fills the mind OF the super
sltlous with such apprehension that
they will all hold aloof from the in
nocent victim # the SANDER, just as
u he were stricken with the plague.
Inc evil eye is supposed to bring
misfortune and misery to every one
upon whom its glance rests. and 1t Is
not astonishing under the circum-
stances that in those countries Of
the Old World where this supersti-
ton prevails the streets will clear
at the approach Of any one thus af-
y ficted, every one rushing into door,
ways or up alleys to avoid the dreaded
glance. The superstition Is as old as
history. Reference is made to the
Effects Of the evil eye in the Old Tes-
lament Of the Bible, and in the boob
o' Deuteronomy especially the invol-
untary nature OF its baleful influence
Is emphasized.
1t Is universally recognized by those
Who believe in the power OF the evil
eve that the fateful results of its
glance are beyond the power OF Its
owner to avert, and I nave before me
as ! write the well authenticated story
or a father in Serbia who. convinced
that he was a j~ettatore. deliberately
blinded himself in order that he might
be not the means of injuring his wife
and children.
To those here in America who are
disposed to scott at such superstitions
! would point out that ministerial
4 Crises have been caused by imputa-
- lions In connection Herewith, and fur
Their that modern Governments have
sven demanded the recall Of ambassa-
doris :nr no ether reason than that
hey wsre believed to be possessed OF
The evil eye. Thus Count Hubner. the
celebrated Austrian statesman anc
eiplomat, devotes several pages In his
Memoirs to the case Of n Of his
Dech colleagues. a Baron Mollerus
Sose recall was demanded ut the
CSurt Of The Hague, In turn by Queen
isabella Of Spain. by Queen Marie II
@ Portugal. by King Ferdinand Of
naples and by the Sublime Porte FOL
10 other reason than tina: he was tc
such an extent possessed OF the evil
eye that his presence everywhere wa
ae2A:ivs of disastarA ~ ssx1m IN
oWcn ~uovernnferv ..au no alternative
oN TO place Aim on the retired list
ne thereupon took IN his residence
w the banks of the Seine
One evening Count Hubner, ther
ambassador to the Court OF the Tuil'
aes, happened quite Unexpectedly
" meet his former colleague at Q
a.aner to which they had both beer
Invited. Before the meal wss hroughl