Evening star., 1943-09-26
BY DON WHITEHEAD.

Associated Press War CORRESPONDENT.
CAPRI, Sept. "a Delayed. -
Young Henry Ringing North is hav-
ing more adventures in the Medi-
terranean as lieutenant in Uncle
Sans Navy than he ever had oper-
ating the big top with brother, John
Ringing North.
Barnum and Bailey's circus is just
a sideshow compared with this ex-
travaganza on the invasion front
and Lit. North is top man in one
of the daredevil acts.
Two days ago he rescued Tito
Zaniboni from the island of Ponza
where he was held as a prisoner
because Of his attempt on the life
of Mussolini in 1926.
1t, North brought zaniboni, his
beautiful daughter and the Duke
of Camerini from Porza to Capri,
thus saving three of Italy's most
bitter anti-Fascists.
Found Germans Gone.
North was the first American on
the island of Ponza, which lies 60
miles north of Capri. He went there
with naval task force 10 days ago
to see If it still was German-held.
German planes flew over the motor
launches as they sped toward Ponza
but did not attack them.
eve went in about pm, 1t.
North said. eve found the Germans
had gone, but for some reason they
had not taken zaniboni or the Duke
of Camerini with them"
When Marshal Badoglio assumed
military leadership in Italy, Zaniboni
was released from prison and his
daughter had come from Rome to
live with him.
When my boat docked I asked If
there were any political prisoners on
the island and was told that Zani-
boni was there" 1t North said.
Later the Duke arranged dinner
and while we sat over bottle of
wine zaniboni told me of his ex-
periences.
Secretary Betrayed Him.
Except for the betrayal of his
young secretary, Zaniboni might
have ended II Duce's career that
day In Rome when he calmly pre-
pared to assassinate the Fascist
chief.
Zaniboni installed a precision rife
In his Office across from the bal
cony on the Palazza Venezia. He
knew the exact time Mussolini was
to appear. An expert rifieman, he
expected one shot to be sufficient.
Dressed in the uniform of a COL
onel of an Alpine regiment and
wearing all of his World War med
ais, Zaniboni came to his Office the
day Mussolini was to speak. He
had plans made for his escape
Everything seemed to be going ac-
cording to plan.
But he had in his employ a Young
secretary addicted to gambling. He
was 10000 lire in debt and. un-
known to zaniboni, was desperate
for money.
Zaniboni Arrested.
He learned of Zaniboni's plan to
kill Mussolini and then went to the
Fascists. He sold out his employer
for enough money to cover his gam
bling debts and police arrested Zani-
boni before he could fire shot.
Would you like to see the secre-
tary now?" 1t. North asked.
NO" Zaniboni replied. mo, ]
hold no enmity in my heart"
Zaniboni, who once operated q
plantation near Charleston, S. C..
some 40 years ago, spent three and
a half years in solitary confinement
on the island of Santo Stefano and
then, SO weak he couldn't walk, was
moved to Alexandria Prison In Pied
mon, where he was IL years in soil
tary confinement About two year.
ago he was moved to Ponza.
1t. North was unable to TAX,
Zaniboni from the island on hi
first trip but two days ago he re
turned in a boat skippered by 1t
Arthur Bryant of Alexandria, Va
and brought him, his daughter ane
the Duke to Capri, along with TIVE
Raj and four German pilots picket