MANHUNT IN ITALY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 March 1926, Page 7

MANHUNT IN ITALY.

Notorious Mafia Overthrown. REGIME OF BANDITS ENDS. 'Jij Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received March 21, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The Milan correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle,” says that Italy is agog at tho near ending of the Ma#iia, which has proved the greatest manhunt in Italy. Caesar Mori, Prefect of Palermo, is in charge of operations against tho organisation which has baffled generations of tlalian police. Nearly one thousand prisoners, including the heads of the gang, have now been captured. Among them is the Mayor of a Sicilian town, who organised the recent reception of the King of Italy when he visited the town. Only after arrest was suspicion aroused. Several cases of bloodshed are traceable to the Mayor. Previously the population have been overawed into silence. Murders and crimes spread over years are now coming to light. Many were committed by well-educated persons, apparently leading blameless social lives. These well-to-do people were exploited by 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 annual tribute from the people in their zone. Great landowners might be required to hand over 50,000 lire annually, while a ragged tramp was forced to give the Mafia Chief a day’s labour. Finally Caesar Mori, as InspectorGeneral of Public Security in Sicily, was powerful enough to issue twelve hours ultimatum, which was circulated in the hills, and resulted in hundreds of bandits surrendering, t The South Italians now call Mori: Saint Mori, the Miracle "Worker,”