SICILY'S BLACKHAND

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1926, Page 2

SICILY'S BLACKHAND

GREAT AIAX HU XT EXDIXG,

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, March 21

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Milan correspondent says; “Italy is agog at tho prospect of the Mafia ending, after what has certainly proved the greatest manhunt in Italy. Ceasar Alori. tho prefect of Pnlinero has been in charge of operations winch have baffled a generation of the Italian police. Xearly* a thousand prisoners, including the heads of the gang, have now been captured. Among them is the Mayor of a Sicilian town who organised a recent reception to the King of Italy when he visited the town. Only after his arrest was suspicion aroused. Several cases of bloodshed are traceable to this Mayor. Previously the population had been overawed into silence. Murders and crimes spread over some years are now coming to light. ALany were committed by well-educated persons, who apparently were leading blameless social lives. These well-to-do people exploited the brigands for the ends of the Mafia. It is now plain that a few hundred extortioners composed the head and front of the Mafia. Through the Tax Department they obtained information of everybody’s means, and so were able to exact an annual tribute 'from the people in their zone. The great landowners might Ik* required to hand over fifty thousand lire annually, while a ragged tramp would be forced to give a Mafia chief a day’s labour. Finally Caesar Alori, as the Inspector General of th© Public Security of Sicily, was powerful enough to issue a twelve hours’ ultimatum which was circulated in tho bills, and resulted in hundreds of bandits surrendering. The South Italians now call Alori, Saint Alori, the miracle worker.

[On January 28th, Signor Mussolini ordered the eradication of Sicily’s Black Hand secret society of thieves named tho Alatia, which has been oterrulining the island and enforcing its own laws. The society was responsible for revolting crimes. Members of the .Mafia Society are-'bound to avenge and protect one' another if punished for brigandage or other crimes. The Government-. though putting down its more violent manifestations, has hitherto failed to crush the secret organisation of the society.]