MORL THE RUTHLESS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1928, Page 4

MORL THE RUTHLESS

MAN AVHO AVIPED OUT THE MAFIA (By SIR PERCIVAL PHILLIPS.) PALERMO, .Sicily, July 12. -Mussolini had not forgotten the Mafia. As a journalist, and latterly as a statesman, lie was well aware of their iniquities. Other and more pressing problems of social reform monopolised his attention during the first three years of Fascist rule, hut even at that time the secret masters of Sicily were marked down for extermination. Mussolini came to Sicily in Alay 1925 and studied the problem at first hand. Jinny were for compromise. One school of thought wanted Af.ussolini to employ the so-called “ old Alafia.,” who were supposed to represent the best traditions of the society, in suppressing tho young “ Alafia,” who were largely criminals of the ordinary kind. Others urged that the “young Alafia ” he enlisted to wipe out the “ old Arnfin.” The police authorities were opposed to any kind of compromise. This policy had been tried in the past and had failed. Among the high officials whom Mussolini consulted was Cesare Afoii, then Prefect of Trapani. Mori was a professional policeman of many years service. He had been chief of police of Rome after the war and Prefect of Bologna. In addition, lie had filled various posts in Sicily, and lie knew the Alafia thoroughly. No less thoroughly did he know, the psychology of the Sicilian, and lie had, moreover, profound admiration and sympathy for the Sicilian character. “ Aviiy set a thief,to catch a thief? ” asked Mori. “One faction of the Alafia is ns had as another. The only thing necessary is for the Government to give carte blanche to wipe out the whole organisation. Fight the Alafia without quarter, irrespective of persons.”

historic declaration. Alussolini accepted this advice. He delivered his historic declaration: “Sicily shall be freed from the Alafia.” And to Cesare Afori lie said, “Aon shall do it.” It is hardly necessary to say that

Alori is a very remarkable man. His success in wiping out this criminal organisation is proof of the fact. He is a man of strong personality, powerful physically, with the hard jaw of a fighter, keen steady eyes, and a manner that inspires confidence. Criminals knew him as a ruthless enemy, and one having uncanny knowledge of their innermost "secrets. The mere announcement of his appointment to fight the Alafia was sufficient to send some of the leading chiefs to the mountains. In the beginning it was a ease of

Alori and his men against the rest of Sicily, for those that were not actively hostile remained inert behind an" impenetrable neutrality. A portion of the Fascist militia of the island was mobilised. Special detachments of carabineers and police were brought from northern districts, and, with the Squadra Mobile (a kind of mobile police that could be sent anywhere in Sicily at a moment’s notice), the military side of the campaign was perfected. Alori dismissed all doubtful functionaries, and replaced them by men on whom he could rely. Ills next move was to secure the confidence of the public. AVI IX YOU SAY ICAR ? Knowing the Sicilian temperament, Alori decided to invest the inauguration of his campaign with the solemnity of a religious crusade. He organised a ceremony at l’alermo which has

been described to mens a most solemn and dramatic event. From all the 75 agricultural communes of the province he summoned the men responsible for the care of the estates. He confronted them in tho presence of high Government officials, police, and Fascist leaders, and solemnly appealed to them to help him put down the Alafia. They went to .Mass—farm hnilifls and guardians. Fascist officials, functionaries, and police—and Alori. The parish priest preached a sermon on man’s duty to the State and to his fellow men. When the service was finished, Alori again faced the assemblage. Again he read the oath slowly, and

id : “ Will von swear ? ” They replied with unanimous shouts

and uplifted hands “ Giuriniio ’ ’(“ AVe swear ”). SAY 1 FT AND HARD.

Alori determined to strike swiftly and hard. His first blow staggered tile Alafia. Tt was delivered early ill January 19215, m the mountainous region around Gangi, a town ot some 1-1.000 inhabitants perched like a beehive on a pinnacle of rock. A flying column of a thousand carabineers, Fascist militia, and police swept through the valleys, picking up suspected men ri glit and loft.

Before they reached Gangi itself fifteen of the seventeen Mafia leaders in the town fled. Mori isolated the town by cutting off all telgraph, telephone, and postal communication. He then sent a message to the mayor, with instructions 'for it to be read by the town t rier.

It was addressed to the wanted men. “ Eorty-ciglit hours in which to surrender yourselves to the mayor,” it read. “or your houses will bo burnt and vou will be shot at sight.”

The fugitives presented themselves to the mayor within the prescribed time. Altogether 300 poisons wore arrested in this first drive.